The NASCAR Cup Series continues its season at Kansas Speedway for the AdventHealth 400 on April 19.
Kansas routinely produces the best racing in NASCAR, with recent spectacular finishes including the Chris Buescher-Kyle Larson photo finish in 2024 and Chase Elliott’s final-lap drive to the win last fall.
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This week will be a preview of the Chase race in September, the fourth out of 10 Chase races later this season.
Here are The Tennessean’s expert picks for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas:
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Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
Mar 29, 2026; Martinsville, Virginia, USA; Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott (9) celebrates the win with his crew at Martinsville Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
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Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
Mar 29, 2026; Martinsville, Virginia, USA; Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott (9) celebrates the win with his crew at Martinsville Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
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Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
Mar 29, 2026; Martinsville, Virginia, USA; Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott (9) celebrates the win with his crew and the trophy grandfather clock at Martinsville Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
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Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA – MARCH 29: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 UniFirst Chevrolet, celebrates after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway on March 29, 2026 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
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Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
KANSAS CITY, KANSAS – SEPTEMBER 28: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 Kelley Blue Book Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Hollywood Casino 400 Presented by ESPN BET at Kansas Speedway on September 28, 2025 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
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Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
KANSAS CITY, KANSAS – SEPTEMBER 28: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 Kelley Blue Book Chevrolet, takes the checkered flag to win the NASCAR Cup Series Hollywood Casino 400 Presented by ESPN BET at Kansas Speedway on September 28, 2025 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
KANSAS CITY, KANSAS – SEPTEMBER 28: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 Kelley Blue Book Chevrolet, and Kansas Speedway President Pat Warren eat ribs in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Hollywood Casino 400 Presented by ESPN BET at Kansas Speedway on September 28, 2025 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
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Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
KANSAS CITY, KANSAS – SEPTEMBER 28: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 Kelley Blue Book Chevrolet, celebrates with Jeff Gordon, Vice Chairman of Hendrick Motorsports in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Hollywood Casino 400 Presented by ESPN BET at Kansas Speedway on September 28, 2025 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
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Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott speaks with members of the media at the K1 Speed indoor kart racing facility Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.
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Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
HAMPTON, GEORGIA – JUNE 28: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA/Children’s Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at Echo Park Speedway on June 28, 2025 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Krista Jasso/Getty Images)
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Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
HAMPTON, GEORGIA – JUNE 28: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA/Children’s Chevrolet, celebrates with fans after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at Echo Park Speedway on June 28, 2025 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
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Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
HAMPTON, GEORGIA – JUNE 28: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA/Children’s Chevrolet, celebrates with the checkered flag after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at Echo Park Speedway on June 28, 2025 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
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Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
Feb 16, 2025; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott (9) walks to the drivers meeting before the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images
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Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
WINSTON SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA – FEBRUARY 02: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet celebrates in victory lane after winning the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on February 02, 2025 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
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Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
WINSTON SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA – FEBRUARY 02: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet poses with the winner sticker on his car in victory lane after winning the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on February 02, 2025 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
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Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
WINSTON SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA – FEBRUARY 02: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet celebrates after winning the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on February 02, 2025 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
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Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
WINSTON SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA – FEBRUARY 02: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet celebrates with a burnout after winning the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on February 02, 2025 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
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Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
Nov 22, 2024; Charlotte, NC, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott (9) during the NASCAR Awards Banquet at Charlotte Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
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Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
Nov 22, 2024; Charlotte, NC, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott (9) and his guest Ashley Anderson during the NASCAR Awards Banquet at Charlotte Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
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Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
NASCAR’s Chase Elliott at a press conference announcing a game between the Atlanta Braves and the Cincinnati Reds in Bristol Motor Speedway, at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tenn., Friday, Aug. 9, 2024.
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Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott is introduced before the Ally 400 at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Sunday, June 30, 2024.
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Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott (9) runs off the track during the Ally 400 at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Sunday, June 30, 2024.
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Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
Apr 14, 2024; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott (9) and Texas Motor Speedway Executive Vice President and General Manager Mark Faber in Victory Lane after the NASCAR Cup Series AutoTrader EchoPark 400 at Texas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
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Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
Apr 14, 2024; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott (9) and crew chief Alan Gustafson celebrate in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series AutoTrader EchoPark 400 at Texas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
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Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
Apr 14, 2024; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott (9) answers questions from the media after winning the NASCAR Cup Series AutoTrader EchoPark 400 at Texas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
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Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
Chase Elliott signs autographs as he walks through the garage for the final practice before the Daytona 500, Friday, February 16, 2024, at Daytona International Speedway.
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Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
Feb 14, 2024; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott (9) during Daytona 500 Media Day at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
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Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
Chase Elliott talks to Marty Snider after winning the Most Popular at the 2023 NASCAR Award banquet at Music City Center in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023.
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Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
Nov 3, 2023; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott during practice for the NASCAR Championship race at Phoenix Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
Oct 14, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott (9) during practice for the South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
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Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
Sep 3, 2023; Darlington, South Carolina, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott (9) on pit road prior to the NASCAR Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. Mandatory Credit: David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports
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Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott (9) battles for position with driver Kyle Busch (18) during the NASCAR Cup Series Ally 400 race at the Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Sunday, June 20, 2021.
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Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott (9) makes a pit stop during the NASCAR Cup Series Ally 400 race at the Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Sunday, June 20, 2021.
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Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
Chase Elliott visits Tennessee Air National Guard at Berry Field in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, July 31, 2019.
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Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
Chase Elliott visits Tennessee Air National Guard at Berry Field in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, July 31, 2019.
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Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
Chase Elliott visits Tennessee Air National Guard at Berry Field in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, July 31, 2019.
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Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
Chase Elliott visits Fairgrounds Speedway in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, July 31, 2019.
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Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
Chase Elliott and Kaylie Green walk the red carpet before the 2019 NASCAR Cup Series Awards at Music City Center Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019 in Nashville, Tenn.
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Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
May 17, 2020, Darlington, SC, USA; Driver Chase Elliott walks to his car for the start of the NASCAR Cup Series auto race.
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Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
Chase Elliott does a burnout during the NASCAR Burnouts on Broadway event in downtown Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019.
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Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
Chase Elliott accepts the Most Popular Driver Award during the 2019 NASCAR Cup Series Awards at Music City Center Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019 in Nashville, Tenn.
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Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
May 23: Chase Elliott celebrates after winning the EchoPark Texas Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.
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Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
NASCAR Champion Chase Elliott practices driver changes along with his teammates during Roar Before the 24 practice at Daytona International Speedway, Friday, Jan. 22, 2021.
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Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
Chase Elliott, Luis Derani, Mike Conway and Felipe Nasr celebrate in victory lane after winning the Motul Pole Award 100 race at the Roar Before the 24 at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021.
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Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
Chase Elliott celebrates with champagne next to the championship trophy after winning the 2020 NASCAR season finale at Phoenix Raceway.
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Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
Chase Elliott does a burnout after winning the Season Finale 500 and capturing the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway in Phoenix, Ariz. on Nov. 8, 2020.
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Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott (9) watches his crew work on his car before heading out for practice at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. Drivers were gearing up for the Big Machine Vodka 400 at the Brickyard on Sunday, Sept 8, 2019.
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Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
Chase Elliott, second from left, raises the Miles the Monster trophy in victory lane with crew chief Alan Gustafson after winning the 2018 playoff race at Dover International Speedway.
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Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
Oct 7, 2018: NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott (right) talks with former driver Jeff Gordon (left) prior to the Gander Outdoors 400 at Dover International Speedway.
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Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
Chase Elliott celebrates winning the pole for the 2016 Daytona 500.
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Chase Elliott, NASCAR most popular driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Bill Elliott’s son
Chase Elliott celebrates by kissing the snowball on his trophy after winning the 2013 Snowball Derby Sunday at Five Flags Speedway.
NASCAR predictions for Kansas Cup Series race: Here’s who wins the AdventHealth 400
Mike Organ’s pick: Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Larson, the 2025 Cup Series champion, is approaching a full calendar year without a win. He was in control for much of the last race at Bristol and will finally break through at Kansas and get a win where his last victory came.
Nick Gray’s pick: Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Hamlin goes 2-for-2 on 1.5-mile ovals and continues his strong form at Kansas, one of the series’ best tracks.
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Tom Kreager’s pick: Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Team Penske Ford
Blaney might be the best driver in Cup this year. What’s holding him back? His crew, who are giving up way too many track position during pit stops. They get that figured out this week.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: NASCAR Kansas predictions 2026, expert picks for Cup Series race
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