No Place Like Home: Kansas Speedway

It's time for the second race in the round of 12 and we are headed to Kansas Speedway. Kansas is an Intermediate 1.5 mile track very similar to Vegas. Tire wear is a factor here and will contribute to the strategy in this one. This race is even more exciting because of being right in front of the Roval. That's right, the last race of the Round of 12 is a road course which significantly raises the pressure for these drivers with much stronger skill sets on ovals.

Blaney has locked himself into the Round of 8 with his win in Loudon. Nobody else is safe! Here is the Playoff Picture before Kansas:

Blaney LOCKED IN

Byron +47

Larson +41

Bell +29

Hamlin +27

Logano +24

Elliott +14

Briscoe +12

Chastain -12

Cindric -19

Reddick -23

Wallace -27

None of these drivers are in MUST WIN situations mathematically, but those bottom six are in a tough spot. The next race is the Roval (road course) so Kansas is very important to some of these drivers who struggle in the braking zones.