Seventh win of the season for Martin Truex Jr., Round of 8 field is set

Martin Truex Jr. returned to the Victory Lane at Kansas Speedway by clinching his second win this season at 1.5-mile track. He won the Hollywood Casino 400. For the driver of the #78 Furniture Row Toyota this is seventh win of the season and 14 Cup Series win in a career.

Truex wins ahead of Kurt Busch. Ryan Blaney charged from a 40th-place starting spot — the result of an inspection failure after qualifying — to finish third and cruise into the Round of 8. Chase Elliott and Denny Hamlin finished fourth and fifth, respectively, to advance to the Round of 8.

One more victory for Martin Truex Jr.

As a Playoffs leader and Charlotte winner two weeks ago, Truex alredy secured a place in the Round of 8 of the Playoffs. Kyle Larson, Matt Kenseth, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Jamie McMurray are out. After Kansas Speedway elimination race, eight drivers will continue a chase for the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series title:

1. Martin Truex Jr., 4,069 points.
2. Kyle Busch, 4,042 points.
3. Brad Keselowski, 4,026 points.
4. Kevin Harvick, 4,017 points.
5. Jimmie Johnson, 4,017 points.
6. Denny Hamlin, 4,014 points.
7. Ryan Blaney, 4,009 points.
8. Chase Elliott, 4,006 points.

Kansas Speedway

Larson lost his place when his engine exploded on the frontstretch on lap 77. He finished 39th in a 40-car field and dropped to ninth in the standings, nine points behind Jimmie Johnson.

The seven-time champion moved into the Round of 8 despite spinning twice late in the race. He was promoted into Round of 8 when officials parked Kenseth #20 Toyota, after a massive wreck on Lap 198, for a violation of the damaged vehicle policy.