NASCAR: Five Lessons Learned From the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas

Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /
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Here are five lessons learned from Kansas. Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers battled it out at Kansas this weekend to try and lock in a spot for the Round of 8. Here are five lessons learned from the Hollywood Casino 400.

The Hollywood Casino 400 was an interesting race because of the situation drivers were in heading into Kansas.

Several NASCAR Chase drivers ran into issues at Charlotte, and those drivers needed a solid finish if they hoped to have some breathing room in the Chase standings by the time they entered Talladega.

Two drivers specifically, Chase Elliot and Austin Dillon, are newcomers to the Chase and both wrecked at Charlotte, making Kansas even more important for the young drivers this past weekend. Dillon ended the race in the Top 10 but is still below the Chase cutoff line while Elliot ran into issues at Kansas and is even further back than Dillon.

Than we have Kevin Harvick who once again pulled out a win when he needed it the most. He did this in the previous round, struggling at Chicagoland but managing to win the following race at New Hampshire, but his win at Kansas is even bigger, since he can now rest easy as he heads into Talladega.

Joe Gibbs Racing started off Kansas in what looked like the best position to have one of their drivers win. They had three of their four drivers starting in the Top 5. By the time the race was over, three of the four JGR drivers finished in the Top 10, but the organization is still looking for their first win of the Chase. They were easily the favorite group of drivers to win in the Chase, but it seems as though they may have taken a step backwards.

Talladega is next weekend and has the potential to completely shake up the Chase standings. Before we get ready for the only super speedway race in the Chase though, here are five lessons learned from the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas.