Survive and advance is the mantra for NASCAR Cup Series playoff contenders after chaotic Kansas race

AP Sports Writer

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Denny Hamlin had problems with pit road. Christopher Bell had problems with the wall. Chase Elliott’s issues began long before Sunday’s race with a misfiring engine. In fact, just about everyone starting off the round of 12 in NASCAR’s Cup Series playoffs endured some kind of issue at Kansas Speedway. The key was to make the most of a bad situation. William Byron was the best among the playoff drivers, finishing second to Ross Chastain. But even Bell, who bumped the wall twice, managed to leave with a seventh-place finishing, keeping him in good shape as the series heads to Talladega and the road course at Charlotte.