Most of the KC Masterpiece 400 was calm. However, it was Kevin Harvick that survived the Kansas Chaos at the end of the race to score the NASCAR win.
Through the first 237 laps of the 267 lap race, there were only three caution periods. The first was a competition caution on lap 32 due to heavy rain Saturday morning (5/12) at Kansas Speedway.
The second was at the end of the first stage of racing which was won by Ryan Blaney and the third came when Kyle Larson won stage two of the race.
While there was side-by-side racing with the lead of the race being exchanged between seven drivers 13 times, until the final 30 laps of the race drivers where able to get around Kansas Speedway with minimal contact with each other and the outside wall to race mainly under the green flag.
Those last 30 laps would see the yellow flag issued three times including the final caution involving seven cars and requiring a 13 minute plus red flag being issued to clean up the debris.
Up until that final caution Kyle Larson had driven off to a comfortable lead in the race and looked like he would convert his race high 101 laps as the leader of the race to a win.
However, that last yellow flag brought the field back together giving other drivers the chance to get adjustments to their cars and have a shot to take the lead on the re-start. In the end it was Kevin Harvick that was able to get his #4 Ford out front for the final laps and capture a second consecutive race win and his fifth win of the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season.
Martin Truex Jr. drove to a second place finish with Joey Logano claiming third place. Kyle Larson was able to rally in the end for a fourth place finish with Denny Hamlin rounding out the top five. See the complete race results for the KC Masterpiece 400 here.
Kyle Busch remains the leader in the point standings with Joey Logano and Kevin Harvick also holding steady in second and third places respectively. Brad Keselowski moves up a spot to fourth place with Kurt Busch moving into fifth place. See the complete Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series point standings here.
This week there are no season points on the line, no Playoff Points to be earned or a “win and you’re in” scenario to try to claim. This week it is just a “dash for cash” … The NASCAR All-Stars will race for ONE MILLION DOLLARS at Charlotte Motor Speedway Saturday night in the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR All-Star Race!!
By: Buck Stevens
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