Kansas Speedway: Pre-Race Report
As the NASCAR Cup Series heads to Kansas this weekend, Team Penske’s Austin Cindric and Joey Logano aim to extend their momentum following back-to-back victories. Ryan Blaney seeks to join his teammates in the playoffs, amplifying the competitive tension.
William Byron currently leads the regular season standings, holding a 13-point advantage over teammate Kyle Larson. Larson, the defending champion of this Kansas race, previously triumphed in a historic finish, edging out Chris Buescher by a mere 0.001 seconds. Notably, Ross Chastain, who finished second to Logano last week at Texas, is the most recent winner at Kansas, securing victory in the fall.
Key Developments
In a significant update, NASCAR has announced that the championship finale will return to Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2026, as part of a rotating finale strategy. NASCAR has ruled out superspeedways and road courses for future finales, emphasizing a commitment to traditional tracks. Homestead will undergo ‘cosmetic’ enhancements ahead of the 2026 title decider. Additionally, NASCAR confirmed that "The Clash" is likely to remain in the United States next year rather than going international.
Broadcast news includes TNT Sports revealing its commentary team for the upcoming summer coverage. The lineup features Steve Letarte and Adam Alexander alongside Dale Earnhardt Jr. In driver news, Jesse Love has added two races to his 2025 Cup schedule, including this weekend’s race at Kansas.
Weekend Schedule
Friday, May 9
- 8 p.m. EST: ARCA Menards Series Race (100 laps) – FOX SPORTS 1
Saturday, May 10
- 2:05 p.m. EST: NASCAR Truck Series Practice – FOX SPORTS 2
- 3:10 p.m. EST: NASCAR Truck Series Qualifying – FOX SPORTS 2
- 4:30 p.m. EST: NASCAR Cup Series Practice – PRIME VIDEO
- 5:40 p.m. EST: NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying – PRIME VIDEO
- 7:30 p.m. EST: NASCAR Truck Series Race (134 laps) – FOX SPORTS 1
Sunday, May 11
- 3 p.m. EST: NASCAR Cup Series Race (267 laps) – FOX SPORTS 1
Race Details
The NASCAR Cup Series at Kansas will feature 38 entries, including two open entries. Jesse Love will drive the No. 33 for Richard Childress Racing, while Corey Heim will take the No. 67 for 23XI Racing. Drivers William Byron and Carson Hocevar will also compete in the Truck Series race, adding complexity to their strategic approaches.
Viewing Information
- Date: Sunday, May 11
- Start Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: FOX SPORTS 1 | TSN (Canada)
- Live Streaming: In-car cameras on MAX
- Radio Coverage: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
The stage is set for a thrilling race at Kansas, with key implications for playoff standings and driver momentum. As always, expect a fiercely competitive environment as the series approaches its critical summer stretch.
