The second round of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs continues on Sunday afternoon with Kansas Speedway.
This marks the second event of the Round of 12. It is another attempt for championship-eligible drivers to join New Hampshire winner Ryan Blaney in the Round of 8. It also marks the first traditional intermediate track since Charlotte Motor Speedway in May.
Kansas Speedway Cup Series playoff race information
Weather: The WeatherUnderground forecast calls for sunny skies throughout the day. A high of 86 degrees and no chance of rain at the start of the Cup Series race.
Green flag time: The grand marshal will give the command to fire engines at 2:54 p.m. ET. The starter will wave the green flag at 3:05 p.m. ET.
Starting lineup: Cup Series practice and qualifying at Kansas Speedway begin at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday. truTV and Max will have coverage.
Pre-race: The garage opens at 12 p.m. ET. Driver introductions will take place at 2:15 p.m. ET. Pre-race coverage begins with “Countdown to Green” on USA Network at 2:30 p.m. ET. Race coverage continues at 3 p.m. ET on USA Network.
The invocation will be at 2:46 p.m. ET. The national anthem will be at 2:47 p.m. ET.
Stages: The race will consist of three stages. The first stage ends at Lap 80. The second stage ends at Lap 165. The scheduled end of the race is Lap 267.
Playoff picture: The Cup Series playoff drivers have completed four races so far. Blaney advanced to the Round of 8 by winning last weekend’s race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
William Byron enters the weekend at 47 points above the cutline. He is in the best position among drivers without a win this round.
The other drivers above the Round of 8 cutline include Kyle Larson (+41), Christopher Bell (+29), Denny Hamlin (+27), Joey Logano (+24), Chase Elliott (+14), and Chase Briscoe (+12).
The four drivers below the cutline are Ross Chastain (-12), Austin Cindric (-19), Tyler Reddick (-23), and Bubba Wallace (-27).
Past winners: Nine active Cup Series drivers have won at Kansas Speedway. Hamlin leads this group with four wins. Larson and Logano each have three wins at Kansas. Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski have two wins at the track. The drivers with one win at Kansas Speedway include Chastain, Elliott, Reddick, and Wallace.