The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs continue this Sunday, September 28, with the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas. This 400.5-mile race is the second event in the Round of 12, making it a crucial stop for drivers battling to advance to the Round of 8. With championship hopes on the line, fans can expect high drama, bold strategies, and late-race fireworks.
Venue & Race Details
Race: Hollywood Casino 400 (Round of 12, Race 2)
Location: Kansas Speedway, Kansas City, Kansas
Track Specs: 1.5-mile tri-oval, progressive banking (17–20° in turns, 9–11° frontstretch, 5° backstretch)
Start Time: 3:00 PM ET (2:00 PM CT local)
Distance: 267 laps, 400.5 miles
Stages: 80 / 165 / 267 laps
Broadcast: USA Network (TV), MRN & SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (radio)
Weather Forecast (Kansas City, KS)
Conditions: Sunny and warm
Temperature: ~82°F at green flag, cooling into the mid-70s by race end
Wind: 7–10 mph, steady breeze across the frontstretch
Impact: Ideal racing weather; wind could slightly affect handling in Turns 1 and 2
Driver & Team Notes
Kyle Larson (Hendrick Motorsports) – The betting favorite (+300 to +370), Larson has dominated Kansas in recent years, winning in May 2025 and leading over 200 laps.
Denny Hamlin (Joe Gibbs Racing) – A Kansas master with multiple wins, Hamlin enters at +500 to +600 odds, looking to lock into the Round of 8.
Ryan Blaney (Team Penske) – Fresh off a playoff-opening win at New Hampshire, Blaney is +600 to +700 and riding momentum.
William Byron (Hendrick Motorsports) – Consistent at Kansas with multiple Top-5s, Byron is priced around +650 to +750.
Christopher Bell (Joe Gibbs Racing) – A strong intermediate-track driver, Bell is +750 to +900 and has three straight Top-10s entering Kansas.
Bubble Watch: Tyler Reddick (+1100), Ross Chastain (+1400), and Bubba Wallace (+2500) are below the cut line but all have previous Kansas victories, making them dangerous spoilers.
Recent Team Form
Hendrick Motorsports: Larson and Byron continue to set the pace on 1.5-mile tracks.
Joe Gibbs Racing: Hamlin and Bell are consistent playoff threats, especially on intermediates.
Team Penske: Blaney’s win at New Hampshire has him in prime position, while Logano (+1400 to +1600) lurks as a proven Kansas closer.
23XI Racing: Bubba Wallace, winner here in 2022, needs a big run to stay alive in the playoffs.
Series History at Kansas
First Race: 2001
Most Wins: Joey Logano (3)
Recent Winners:
2024 – Ross Chastain
2023 – Tyler Reddick
2022 – Bubba Wallace
2021 – Kyle Larson
2020 – Joey Logano
Kansas has produced photo finishes and playoff drama, including Larson’s 0.001-second win over Chris Buescher in 2024’s spring race.
Betting Trends
Favorites Thrive: 5 of the last 7 Kansas playoff races were won by drivers starting inside the Top 5.
Toyota Power: Hamlin, Bell, and Reddick have combined for 4 Kansas wins since 2019.
Underdogs Rarely Break Through: Only once in the last decade has a driver with odds longer than +2000 won here.
Playoff Impact: The Kansas winner has advanced to the Championship 4 in 3 of the last 5 seasons.
Historical Betting Results
2024: Ross Chastain (+1400) shocked the field with a playoff win.
2023: Tyler Reddick (+1100) scored a clutch victory.
2022: Bubba Wallace (+2500) pulled off the upset.
2021: Kyle Larson (+300) dominated for Hendrick.
2020: Joey Logano (+1200) muscled past Kevin Harvick late.
DRIVER ODDS
Kyle Larson + 240
Denny Hamlin + 450
Christopher Bell + 550
Chase Briscoe + 700
William Byron + 900
Chase Elliott + 1200
Carson Hocevar + 1400
Bubba Wallace + 1700
Ryan Blaney + 2000
Tyler Reddick + 2500
Ross Chastain + 2500
Alex Bowman + 2500
Erik Jones + 2800
Chris Buescher + 2800
Joey Logano + 3000
Ty Gibbs + 3500
Brad Keselowski + 3500
Josh Berry + 4000
Ryan Preece + 5000
John Hunter Nemechek + 5500
Kyle Busch + 6000
AJ Allmendinger + 6000
Austin Cindric + 7500
Noah Gragson + 8000
Zane Smith + 12000
Austin Dillon + 20000
Daniel Suarez + 25000
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. + 25000
Todd Gilliland + 30000
Michael McDowell + 30000
Justin Haley + 35000
Shane Van Gisbergen + 40000
Ty Dillon + 50000
Cody Ware + 50000
Riley Herbst + 60000
JJ Yeley + 60000
Cole Custer + 60000
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, September 27, 2025
