Elliott Wins Kansas Amid Hamlin-Wallace Controversy

On Sept. 28 at Kansas Speedway, Chase Elliott won the Hollywood Casino 400 in a chaotic double-overtime finish, slipping past Denny Hamlin to claim his second victory of the season and lock a spot in the Round of 8. Hamlin had dominated—leading 159 of 273 laps and winning both stages—but late power-steering trouble and a slow pit stop set up the dramatic restart. On the final lap Hamlin dove under Bubba Wallace, made contact that sent Wallace into the outside wall, slowed both Toyotas and opened the door for Elliott, who had fresher tires and momentum. Wallace, who drives for 23XI Racing (co-owned by Hamlin), finished fifth, dropped below the playoff cutline and publicly vented his anger, including making an obscene gesture. Hamlin has defended the move in interviews and on his podcast, drawing criticism from some fans and pundits and heightening the controversy as the series heads to the Charlotte Roval. The chaotic finish followed multiple late cautions and a red flag when Zane Smith flipped, and the result also advanced Ryan Blaney to the next playoff round, intensifying the fight for remaining spots.