Why Kansas is now the best race on the NASCAR Cup schedule

Kansas Speedway has been on the NASCAR schedule since 2001 and whereas it has had its moments, nobody circled it because the ‘motion observe’ when trying on the calendar yearly. Nonetheless, that modified swiftly with the arrival of the Subsequent Gen automobile.

Whereas the automobile has made quick observe racing and highway programs duller than earlier than, it has shone relatively brightly on intermediate tracks, and that’s by no means extra true than when the sequence rolls into Kansas twice a yr. Kansas has managed to supply six totally different winners within the final six races, and every occasion performed out in its personal distinctive (and thrilling) manner.

In 2022, there have been fixed battles throughout the observe (and a number of flat tires), making for a chaotic race from begin to end. However the spotlight was the thrilling battle for the win between Kyle Larson and Kurt Busch. With 86 laps to go, Larson was pushing onerous and spun sideways in entrance of Busch, hitting the surface wall earlier than straightening the automobile out. The race remained inexperienced and the 2 champions continued to battle back-and-forth all through the ultimate stage, chopping by slower visitors as they swapped the lead quite a few occasions. With simply eight laps to go, Busch squeezed Larson, who tagged the surface wall as Busch escaped for what would in the end be the ultimate win of his NASCAR Cup Collection profession.

Kurt Busch, 23XI Racing Toyota, Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

Photograph by: Sean Gardner / Getty Photos

Tire points continued to be a storyline within the fall go to later that very same yr, altering the complexion of the race always. And nonetheless, this was doubtless the calmest Kansas occasion from the Subsequent Gen period with Bubba Wallace claiming victory, driving the identical No. 45 vacated Busch after his career-ending crash at Pocono. There was by no means a second the place somebody wasn’t making an attempt to overhaul one other driver on observe, leaving these watching on the sting of their seats.

Crash harm

Photograph by: Meg Oliphant / Getty Photos

Issues began to get actually wild within the spring of 2023. There have been 37 lead adjustments — a brand new document for Kansas. The drivers had been going as onerous as potential from the very begin with William Byron almost wrecking from the lead throughout the first two laps. By Lap 5, three drivers had been already locked in a busy combat for the highest spot, culminating involved that despatched Larson spinning from the race lead. This simply set the tone for all the occasion, which noticed 12 totally different drivers lead the race (a 3rd of the sector).

It led to dramatic trend as Larson bought wrecked from the lead (once more), this time slamming the wall on the ultimate lap. He was battling Hamlin, who clipped Larson earlier than driving off with the victory. However the largest second of this race got here after the checkered flag flew as Noah Gragson confronted Ross Chastain on pit highway over some on-track dispute. He grabbed the motive force of the No. 1 Chevrolet by the firesuit, inflicting the watermelon farmer to clobber Gragson within the facet of the face with a proper hook.

Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports, spins from the lead

Photograph by: Sean Gardner / Getty Photos

The autumn of 2023 had loads of its personal drama with common season champion Martin Truex Jr. crashing out of the pivotal playoff race throughout the first 5 laps. As commentator Steve Letarte mentioned then: “Kansas…it is a mile-and-a-half, it seems to be so regular, it seems to be so benign. It’s something however, and it is inconceivable to say why.” Kansas simply has an inherent wildcard issue that goes far past every other intermediate observe within the present period.

Hamlin was cruising out entrance when a late-race yellow arrange a dash to the checkered flag. That gave us an eyebrow-raising second on pit highway as Chase Elliott door-slammed teammate Larson after a decent pit exit. And Elliott wasn’t even within the playoffs! Daniel Suarez now led the race after staying out on outdated tires with a number of automobiles immediately behind him who solely took new right-sides. Reddick had 4 contemporary tires although, and restarted in fifth for the two-lap sprint. Reddick shortly charged ahead, taking the win with a formidable three-wide go for the lead on the white flag.

Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing Toyota, Joey Logano, Group Penske Ford, Erik Jones, Legacy Motor Membership Chevrolet

Photograph by: Sean Gardner / Getty Photos

The drama didn’t subside with the 2024 season as Chastain and Larson engaged in a shocking battle for the lead within the very first stage of the spring race, swapping the highest spot almost each lap in an appetizer for what was to come back. The race led to a historic photograph end as Larson pulled alongside Chris Buescher in a drag-race to the road. Elliott and Truex had been quickly closing on them as nicely, almost fanning out four-wide on the end as Larson door-slammed Buescher. On the checkered flag, simply 0.001s separated Larson and Buescher in what now stands because the closest end within the historical past of the Cup Collection.

Photograph end with Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet; Chris Buescher, RFK Racing Ford; Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet; Martin Truex Jr., Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

Photograph by: Logan Riely / Getty Photos

The 2024 fall occasion, and the newest race at Kansas, started with a multi-car crash on Lap 1. There have been 30 lead adjustments, however regardless of being a playoff race, two non-playoff drivers stole the present within the ultimate stage. Kyle Busch and Chastain had been swapping the lead as each searched for his or her first win of the 2024 season. It was benefit Busch as he caught Chase Briscoe — a playoff driver — who he was making an attempt to lap. Busch ended up in a nasty aero spot exiting Flip 2, spinning out in a surprising flip of occasions. Chastain then fought his manner round Truex for the lead on the ultimate restart and held again a charging Byron to win the race and play spoiler at Kansas.

Ross Chastain, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet; Kyle Busch, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

Photograph by: Sean Gardner / Getty Photos

Why is Kansas so good?

Effectively, the observe permits for multi-groove racing and passing is much simpler than at most different circuits, which actually helps it maintain the motion flowing. It has insane grip and progressive banking which suggests there is no such thing as a dominant line. Drivers are everywhere in the observe within the corners, generally shifting strains mid-turn. There’s additionally the affect of a noticeable draft, which permits for the motive force being handed to right away combat again. The sector stays tightly packed and barely does the chief ever handle to drive away. Important tire put on additionally by no means fails to maintain issues thrilling.

However greater than something, the drivers simply have choices. Nobody feels caught, which is usually the grievance at a number of different tracks on the schedule with this automobile. They do not should depend on pit stops or alternate technique calls, however can truly make one thing occur for themselves. Due to this, there’s all the time one thing going across the riveting 1.5-miler. And if Sunday’s race has names like Larson, Hamlin or Chastain close to the entrance, current historical past tells us to be careful as one thing huge is about to occur.

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