Elliott Edges Hamlin-Wallace in Kansas OT to Clinch Playoff Berth

CHICAGO — Chase Elliott seized a dramatic overtime victory at Kansas Speedway on Sunday after Denny Hamlin and Bubba Wallace made contact on the final lap, a collision that slowed both Toyotas and opened a lane for Elliott to slip through and win by 0.069 seconds. The result secured Elliott an automatic berth in the next round of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs and intensified scrutiny of Hamlin’s role as both a front-line driver and co-owner of 23XI Racing.

Hamlin had dominated the Hollywood Casino 400, sweeping the first two stages and leading a race-high 159 laps, but the race tightened in the closing laps after a slow pit stop shuffled him back and he reported power steering problems late in the run. On the two-lap overtime restart, Hamlin dove low into Turn 3 while charging on Arthur Wallace, making contact that nudged Wallace into the outside wall. Both Toyotas lost momentum and Elliott, running the low line, passed them on the inside to take the checkered flag.

Speaking on his own podcast after the race, Hamlin defended his actions, saying that on race day he competes as a driver and will not apologize for going for the win. “Because I’m racing for the win. And I...