Denny Hamlin advances in Overtime at Kansas

Denny Hamlin captured his fifth win of the season in Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400 as the Round of 8 was set for the Monster Energy Cup Series Playoffs.

KANSAS CITY – October 20, 2019 – Anthony Holbrook – BSN

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 6th Playoff race located to Kansas Speedway,  October 20^th for the.  The 1.5 Tri-Oval Kansas was built in 2001 and is host for two annual NASCAR race weekends.

No. 11 Denny Hamlin was able to pace the field over two overtime finished to score his second career Kansas Cup win. Hamlin led 153 of 277 laps on his way to victory and will be the third in points after the reset going to Martinsville.

Hollywood Casino 400  – Stage 1

1. 10 Aric Almirola
2. 22 Joey Logano
3. 9   Chase Elliott
4. 41 Daniel Suarez
5. 19 Martin Truex Jr.
6. 18 Kyle Bush
7. 2 Brad Keselowski
8. 12 Ryan Blaney
9. 11 Denny Hamlin

10.20 Erik Jones

Hollywood Casino 400  – Stage 2

1. 11 Denny Hamlin
2. 12 Ryan Blaney
3. 19 Martin Truex Jr.
4. 24 William Byron
5. 9   Chase Elliott
6. 4   Kevin Harvick
7. 22  Joey Logano
8. 21  Paul Menard
9. 14  Clint Bowyer
10. 18  Kyle Bush

Hollywood Casino 400 – Final Stage

As the closing laps wound down, two overtime shootouts would decide the progression of playoff hopefuls.

During the first overtime, No. 41 Daniel Suarez and No. 8 Daniel Hemric collided bringing out the first overtime caution.

Due to this conflict, the No. 88 Alex Bowman, No. 14 Clint Bowyer and No. 24 William Byron playoff expectations were abolished from playoff contention.

A second overtime caution spotlighted the No. 43 Bubba Wallace suffering mechanical issues. As result, Bubba Wallace crashed his Petty Ford into the infield safer barrier wall, setting up a final shootout for the checkers.

Unfortunate for No. 12 Brad Keselowski as he suffered handling issues in the 2nd final overtime segment and additionally also be eliminated from the playoff picture. 

Denny Hamlin held off teammate No. 18 Kyle Bush’s late charge to punch his ticket for a final Playoff spot of eight.  The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Playoffs continues to Martinsville, a home track for Hamlin has collected five previous wins at the track.

Hollywood Casino 400 – Final Stage Results

1. Denny Hamlin (P)
2. Chase Elliott (P)
3. Kyle Busch (P)
4. Kurt Busch
5. William Byron (P)
6. Martin Truex Jr. (P)
7. Erik Jones
8. Clint Bowyer (P)
9. Kevin Harvick (P)

10. Jimmie Johnson

11.)  Alex Bowman (P)

12.) Ryan Preece

13.) Chris Buescher

14.) Kyle Larson (P)

15.) Matt DiBenedetto

16.) Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

17.) Joey Logano (P)

18.) Paul Menard

19.)  Brad Keselowski (P)

20.) Austin Dillon

21.) Ryan Blaney (P)

22.) Ty Dillon

23.) Aric Almirola

24.) Michael McDowell

25.) Matt Tifft

26.) David Ragan

27.) Ross Chastain

28.) Corey LaJoie

29.) Parker Kligerman

30.) JJ Yeley

31.) Daniel Hemric

32.) Daniel Suarez

33.) Reed Sorenson

34.) Garrett Smithley

35.) Bubba Wallace

36.) Josh Bilicki

37.) Landon Cassill

38.) Joey Gase

39.) Timmy Hill

40.) Ryan Newman

2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Standings
After Race 32: Kansas

1. Kyle Busch (P)
2. Martin Truex Jr. (P)
3. Denny Hamlin (P)
4. Joey Logano (P)
5. Kevin Harvick (P)
6. Chase Elliott (P)
7. Kyle Larson (P)
8. Ryan Blaney (P)

Time of Race:

3 Hrs, 2 Mins, 39 Secs.

Average Speed:

136.491 MPH10:

Margin of Victory:

 .

128 Seconds

Caution Flags:

7 for 32 laps; Laps: 76-78 (Debris Turn 4 [21]); 82-86 (Stage 1 Conclusion [47]); 117-120 (#42, 66 Incident Turn 4 [88]); 162-166 (Stage 2 Conclusion [3]); 254-258 (Debris Turn 2 [21]); 265-269 (#36, 43 Incident Turn 2 [47]); 271-275 (#2, 3, 22, 41, 8 Incident Frontstretch [13]).

Lead Changes: 15 among 12 drivers; D. Hemric # 1-4; K. Larson (P) 5-6; B. Keselowski (P) 7-8; K. Larson (P) 9-48; W. Byron (P) 49; D. Hamlin (P) 50-58; K. Larson (P) 59-76; R. Blaney (P) 77-78; J. Logano (P) 79-82; C. Elliott (P) 83-86; D. Suarez 87-92; M. Truex Jr. (P) 93-125; D. Hamlin (P) 126-218; A. Bowman (P) 219-225; R. Stenhouse Jr. 226; D. Hamlin (P) 227-277.

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Race 7th of the 2019 Playoff Schedule travels to Martinsville Speedway for the First Data 500 hosted by Martinsville Speedway at 5:00 p.m. ET Oct. 27^th on NBCSN