Elliott Scores Valuable Stage Points, Leads Laps at Kansas

• Chase Elliott and the No. 9 Prime Video team qualified ninth for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway.
• Elliott ran strong throughout the race, finishing second in both stage one and stage two and earning 18 stage points for the day.
• Despite leading early in the final stage and running near the front for much of the race, Elliott ultimately finished 15th. He is fourth in the NASCAR Cup Series standings.

Chase Elliott and the No. 9 Prime Video team qualified ninth for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway. Elliott quickly showed good pace, climbing through the field while managing a car that he described early on as needing a little more grip on the right front. Despite the minor handling concern, Elliott remained competitive throughout the opening stage, powering his way to the top five. He hit pit road on lap 36 for four fresh tires and fuel during a green-flag cycle, which set him up for a strong finish to the first stage. He was in fourth place with 28 laps remaining and continued his forward momentum, ultimately finishing stage one in second.

During the stage break, Elliott received four tires and fuel, retaining his track position to start the next stage. In the early laps, he fought hard with Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson for the lead, eventually settling into third. Though he reported the car had gotten tight with 65 laps remaining in the stage, Elliott held his position and made a clean pass at lap 112 to retake second. He ended the second stage still in the runner-up spot and reported that the car felt freer during that run. The No. 9 team responded with another four-tire stop, fuel and minor adjustments.

Elliott capitalized on pit road speed and efficiency, emerging as the race leader to begin the final stage. He maintained the top spot through the early portion, continuing to note slight tightness in turns one and two. A caution on lap 194 prompted another pit stop for tires and fuel, but Elliott exited the pits in 12th. He fought back into the top 10 before another caution flag waved. Restarting on the outside line with 55 laps to go, Elliott held his position but was shuffled back to 14th during another caution period. After restarting 16th with 50 to go, he advanced to 13th and continued working his way forward. Elliott had his sights set on a top-10 finish, however significant wear to the right rear tire led to a drop in pace and he ultimately took the checkered flag in 15th.

The driver of the No. 9 Prime Video Chevrolet is fourth in the Cup Series driver standings, just 91 points behind leader and Hendrick Motorsports teammate, Kyle Larson.

Start / Finish: 9 / 15
Points Standing / Total: 4th / 378 pts. (-91)

Next Race: Sunday, May 18, North Wilkesboro Speedway
How to Watch or Listen: 5:30 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN or SiriusXM

NAPA: @NAPARacing
Chase Elliott: @ChaseElliott
Hendrick Motorsports: @TeamHendrick
No. 9 Team: @Hendrick9Team