What to Expect in the NASCAR Cup Series Race at Kansas Speedway

What’s Happening?

Today, NASCAR makes its spring stop at one of its best circuits on the schedule, the Kansas Speedway for the AdventHealth 400. This track has provided us with countless highlights over recent years, including the closest finish in NASCAR Cup Series history. There’s just something about this challenging intermediate and the NextGen car that provides some of the most exciting racing we’ll see all year. So, with no further ado, here’s what you need to watch out for in today’s AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway.

This race track rarely disappoints.

Repost if you're watching every lap from @kansasspeedway this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/ZhkExR7GCM

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) April 19, 2026

Fast Notes:

• Early in the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, the talk around the garage was just how fast the Toyotas were starting off the year. They’ve won 6 out of the first 8 races of the season and were once again looking strong in practice yesterday with the two 23XI cars topping the charts. 23XI has been a force to be reckoned with in recent years at the track. Can they continue their dominance here today?
• Speaking of 23XI, Tyler Reddick scored the Busch Light Pole Award yesterday with a time of 29.142. Of the eight races run this season, Tyler Reddick has won half of them. He’s looking for win number 5 on the year today. Meanwhile, his boss and 23XI co-owner, Denny Hamlin, rolls off in the outside pole position. He’s looking to score his second win of the season.
• There’s been a lot of talk about how good Ty Gibbs has been in spite of an ugly legal dispute between his team, Joe Gibbs Racing, and former competition director/crew chief, Chris Gabehart. Last week at Bristol, he finally got the job done, scoring his first career victory. Now that he’s done that, will the wins just keep coming? He’s rolling off in the 3rd position.
• The Spire cars continue to show speed in time trials. Carson Hocevar and Daniel Suarez, in particular, are both starting inside the top 10. However, they tend to struggle putting together a complete race. Is today the day they get the job done?
• Strangely, it has been a long time since Kyle Larson has gone to victory lane. Almost a year, in fact, which is an unusual drought for driver number 5. Historically, Kansas has been one of his better tracks. Will he get that monkey off his back today? He’s rolling off 4th.
• The stage breakdown for today’s AdventHealth 400 is: 80-85-102. Teams were given 9 sets of tires and the expected fuel run is projected to be between 62-70 laps.
• Joey Logano has to go to the rear for unapproved adjustments to his steering.
• Coverage for the AdventHealth 400 begins at 2 PM ET on FOX.

Starting Lineup

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