Yes, Dorothy, indeed we are in Kansas for the twelfth race of the 2024 Cup season. And, to the relief of many, the sport returns to a track where both speed and skill return to the spotlight. Kansas is a track that, perhaps, has been the most unlikely of candidates to level the playing field over the previous few years as the sport has moved toward new beginnings. Some fun facts? Kansas happens to be the home Cup contender Daniel Hemric’s lone Pole in his entire Cup Series career. Christopher Bell has won the Pole three times at this very track- one of which for this afternoon- yet has brough home 0 wins here. Noah Gragson looks to steal the Kansas headline for a second straight year, with last year’s punch heard ‘round the world now catapulting into what looks to be a promising run for the Stewart-Haas first-year driver. And, of course, Kansas is the home of the great Hamlin/Larson rivalry, with which Hamlin has held a slight edge. We’re back in the Midwest. Let’s get to it.
Driver to Fade:
I know. Total copout. But, frankly, Derek Kraus takes this spot not because of a lack of talent or promise, but because we wanted to post a picture of just how damn cool his car is this week. No, seriously… Kraus, a 22-year-old from Wisconsin, has steadily risen through the ranks of NASCAR, beginning with K&N and leaving his biggest mark with the Craftsman Truck Series, where he’s nearly snagged his first win. He’s the antithesis of “silver spoon” and serves mainly as a simulator driver for both Kaulig and Legacy Motor Club. He steps up when his number is called. This guy is hard not to root for, but we’re not liking his odds this afternoon for obvious reasons. But what the hell’s not to like about this sweet wrap?
Dark Horse:
Two top 10 finishes in a row and damn near snagged the pole at Kansas this weekend. Gotta admit… we like this guy’s attitude this year. Sensing a bit of maturity and confidence gained over the offseason, Noah Gragson has been anything but selfish this year. Talladega may have told us everything we needed to know about the former Xfinity ringer’s future in the Cup Series. Expect a fast car, aggressive driving style, and a threat for the checkered flag when the odds are in Ford’s favor. Gragson clocked fourth fastest in Practice on Saturday afternoon and cracked the top 10 for lap averages. Absolutely look for Gragson to be a threat today.
Top 10:
Man, what a dry streak for the 29-year-old from Norman, Oklahoma. Christopher Bell hasn’t finished a race since April 14th at Texas, and in three out of Bell’s last four races, he’s finished 34th or lower. Yikes. But, that’s not who Christopher Bell is. He put the #20 Yahoo! Toyota on the Pole this weekend for JGR and has logged five Top 10 finishes or better since driving a Cup car in 2020. Of course, the odds aren’t entirely in his favor…just a year ago, Bell finished the Spring Kansas race in P36. Ugh…remember what we said about Kansas leveling the playing field? Regardless, Bell is an ace. Look for him to run up front today, if luck is on his side.
Winner:
Yep, your favorite driver. Well, in all likelihood, probably not. But he’s focused this year and with statistics like he has at Kansas, it’s hard not to pick him.. In his last five races at Kansas, Denny Hamlin has logged five Top 5 finishes, with one of those being a win (after he walled the #5 here last Spring for the win). Wow, that’s a lot of 5’s. He starts a mediocre 14th position to begin the 267-lap event in the Heartland, but like last week, look for the #11 to be a threat all damn day. We’re taking the driver of the #11 JGR Toyota for the win this weekend, marking his fourth win of the year.
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