Joey Logano’s Playoff Hopes Get Boost as He Takes Stage 1 Win at Kansas

Joey Logano led two laps in the opening Stage of the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway, but they were the most important two laps of the Stage.

After suffering from damage after slamming into Austin Dillon’s No. 3 car, and having a loose wheel, Logano played pit strategy right to be in position for the Stage win.

Logano, the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion, who is not locked into the Round of 8 just yet, needed the Stage Points.

Chase Elliott, who is also still in search of locking into the Round of 8 finished second in the Stage.

Daniel Suarez, Martin Truex Jr. and Kyle Busch rounded out the top-five in Stage 1.

Team Penske teammates Brad Keselowski and Ryan Blaney finished sixth and seventh, while Denny Hamlin, Erik Jones and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. finished eighth through 10th.

William Byron (11th), Kyle Larson (13th), Kevin Harvick (14th), Clint Bowyer (21st) and Alex Bowman (25th) were the Playoff drivers who finished outside the top-10 in the opening Stage.