CONCORD, N.C. - With the Round of 16 officially in the rearview mirror, Hendrick Motorsports has now set its sights on Kansas Speedway for the opening race in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs Round of 12.
RELATED: NASCAR driver averages: Kansas
Kansas has been a successful venue in recent memory for Rick Hendrick's group. Since the track's opening event in 2001, Hendrick Motorsports has earned nine victories at the 1.5-mile circuit. Vice chairman Jeff Gordon took home three checkered flags in his career (including the first and second Cup races at the facility), while Jimmie Johnson also earned three wins. Of the active drivers on the team, Kyle Larson won the fall race in 2021 and is the most recent winner at the track, claiming the spring race in a photo finish. Chase Elliott is the other active driver with a win at Kansas, scoring a victory in 2018.
Where is NASCAR this weekend?
The Cup Series main event is at Kansas this Sunday at 3 p.m. ET.
NASCAR on TV this week
Saturday, September 28
1:05 p.m. ET: Practice - NBC Sports App
1:45 p.m. ET: Qualifying - NBC Sports App
Elliott, William Byron and Alex Bowman will be in Group A while Larson will be in Group B.
Sunday, September 29
3 p.m. ET: Cup Series main event - USA Network
STAGES
STAGE 1: LAP 80
STAGE 2: LAP 165
END OF RACE: LAP 267
RELATED: Hendrick Fall Festival set for ROVAL weekend
NASCAR playoff standings Round of 12
- Kyle Larson (+36)
- Christopher Bell (+24)
- Tyler Reddick (+20)
- William Byron (+14)
- Ryan Blaney (+11)
- Denny Hamlin (+7)
- Chase Elliott (+6)
- Joey Logano (+4)
9. Denny Hamlin (-6)
10. Daniel Suarez (-6)
11. Alex Bowman (-7)
12. Chase Briscoe (-7)
Will the NASCAR race be on the radio?
Yes, listeners can find the race on MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).
Where can I stream NASCAR online?
Yes. Download the NBC Sports App for online coverage. Fans can also keep up with the action on X by following @TeamHendrick.
Kansas driver averages, statistics for Hendrick Motorsports drivers
Data provided by Racing Insights
Larson, No. 5 team
Kansas has been a successful venue for Larson in the past. His two victories are the most of any active Hendrick Motorsports driver and he enters 39 markers above the cutline. Part of this comes from having 15 more playoff points than the next closest competitor. You know, that can't hurt. The Elk Grove, California native will aim to build off a dominating victory at Bristol Motor Speedway last weekend with another successful outing in The Heartland.
Elliott, No. 9 team
There's only one driver who can claim to have won at all three tracks in the Round of 12, and that would be Elliott. Heading into this portion of the playoffs, the driver of the No. 9 entry is only six markers above the cutline and will aim to score valuable stage points at Kansas to increase this gap. He recorded a third-place result here in the spring race as he was in hot pursuit of Larson and the runner-up finisher,Chris Buescher.
Byron, No. 24 team
While he has yet to break through at Kansas, Byron has statistically been solid at the 1.5-mile track with seven top-10 finishes in his career. This ties Martinsville Speedway and Phoenix Raceway for the most 10-10 results at any track . After surviving Bristol, Byron currently sits 14 markers above the cutline heading into a circuit where he has been consistent throughout his career. The No. 24 team will look to capitalize on this previous success with a rebound performance on Sunday.
Bowman, No. 48 team
The No. 48 Ally Racing team is hot as of late. And there's not really another way to put it. In the Round of 16, Bowman led all driver in points scored (120) and stage points scored (41). He's also riding a four-race top-10 streak at Kansas coming into this weekend. Despite sitting seven markers below the cutline to begin the round, Bowman heads to one of his favorite racetracks this weekend. Do not be shocked to see the No. 48 colors towards the front of the pack.
Hendrick Motorsports
2024 is the fourth time that Hendrick Motorsports has had four drivers advance into the Round of 12. The team has also finished the last 12 Kansas races with at least two drivers inside the top-10 spots. On 1.5-mile tracks this season, Larson has won twice (Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Kansas) while Elliott was victorious at Texas Motor Speedway. The team will look to make it four out of five on tracks of this type with a win on Sunday.
Catch the Cup Series main event from Kansas at 3 p.m. ET on USA Network, MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).