The 28th race of the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series returns to Kansas Speedway with the Hollywood Casino 400. This marks the first time this event will be the second race in the playoffs.
Two more races remain until the playoff field is down to 12, with four drivers facing elimination following next week’s race at Bristol Motor Speedway. This race will cover a distance of 400.5 miles, with drivers completing 267 laps on the 1.5-mile tri-oval.
Sunday’s race comes after a surprising result in last week’s Cookout Southern 500, where Erik Jones picked up his first win in three years and the third of his career. It was his second victory in this event.
Jones became the first non-playoff driver to win the first playoff event and is the 17th different winner this year, a new record for the modern era after 27 races.
Denny Hamlin was the highest finishing playoff driver at Darlington last week, finishing second.
Hollywood Casino 400 Betting Picks and Analysis
Chase Elliott
The favorite to win the Cup Series title and regular season champion, Elliott had a disastrous start to the 2022 playoffs after his No. 9 Chevy spun out on lap 113 and was hit by the No. 14 driven by Chase Briscoe.
He carried a 15-point lead in the playoff standings coming into the race, which is now gone. This resulted in a last-place finish and one point in the playoff standings.
It may seem like Elliott has much to be concerned about going into Sunday’s race, but the only way for him to go is up. Hollywood Casino 400 betting picks have him as the favorite to take the checkered flag in Kansas.
Kyle Larson
Kyle Larson finished 12th last week and is seventh in the playoff standings. He’s also the defending champion at this event, and one of the top Hollywood Casino 400 betting picks.
Unfortunately, he experienced electrical issues last week at Darlington and lost four laps. Larson was fortunate enough to make them up and finish the race.
However, he was much luckier than Elliott and Kevin Harvick, whose car burst into flames on lap 275, putting him in 33rd place. Larson is seventh in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Standings coming into the weekend.
Denny Hamlin
Hamlin was the highest finishing playoff driver at Darlington last weekend, finishing second after being outrun on the final lap by Erik Jones.
The latter took the lead after Kyle Busch blew his engine while under caution. His late pit stop seemed like it may have been ill-timed, but the late caution placed him at the front of the field for the last 20 laps.
Hamlin on Third Place
Hamlin is third, trailing playoff leader Joey Logano by eight points, and is one of the Hollywood Casino 400 betting picks to take the checkered flag on Sunday.
He’s the only driver with more than one victory at Kansas Speedway in the last ten races. He had a fourth-place finish earlier this year, and four top-five finishes in the previous six races run at this circuit.
Hollywood Casino 400 Betting Trends
- Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, and Joey Logano are tied for the most victories at Kansas Speedway, with three wins each.
- Hendrick Motorsports has the most team victories at the Hollywood Casino 400 with six, including last year’s event.
- Harvick and Logano are the only multiple winners of the Hollywood Casino 400 in the field, with Logano holding three victories.
- Chevrolet is the manufacturer with the most wins at the Hollywood Casino 400, with 11 since 2001.
- Chevy dominates all manufacturers this season, with 14 wins in 27 events.
Hollywood Casino 400 Betting Pick and Prediction
In creating a Hollywood Casino 400 prediction, Elliott was first in the standings coming into last weekend’s event at Darlington but will need to respond in a big way after finishing in last place.
The way he has dominated this season can’t be ignored, as he had four victories, ten top-fives, and 17 top-ten finishes.
Elliott also led all drivers in the Cup Series by winning four pole positions. After his terrible start to the playoffs, Elliott will be on a mission at Kansas Speedway on Sunday, as NASCAR odds this week have him as the favorite to take his fifth win of the season.
Hollywood Casino 400 Pick: Chase Elliott (+750)
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