NASCAR’s Cup and Xfinity teams headed to the Kansas Speedway last weekend. Always a track known for it’s drama, 2025 did not disappoint. From a somewhat underdog win in Xfinity, to a dramatic and violent end to the Cup race, Kansas proved why it is a playoff worthy location.

Here are your Best of the Rest and playoff upset drivers for the weekend.

Photo Credit: NBC Sports. Zane Smith’s wild crash during the Cup race Sunday

KANSAS LOTTERY 300

Race Winner: Brandon Jones

#20 Brandon Jones: Jones returned to Joe Gibbs Racing in 2025, after the greener grass proved to not be quite as green with JR Motorsports in 2024. Always a dark horse contender at Kansas, Jones continued his winning history. Starting his Toyota from the pole, Jones led the final 38 laps en route to his seventh career Xfinity win.

Jones and his JGR Toyota have been consistent this season, but have not had a dominant win like Kansas provided. Three of Jones’ seven career wins have come in Gibbs equipment at Kansas, scoring wins in 2019 and 2020 as well.

#11 Brenden Queen: Having made his Xfinity debut the previous weekend, Queen makes an appearance for the second week in a row. Returning to the seat of Kaulig Racing’s #11 Chevrolet, Queen showed he can hang with the top drivers of the series in his second-career start. Starting his Chevy in 4th, the soon to be ARCA champion had a solid day and finished 9th, even leading eight laps.

Queen also scored another ARCA win the previous day in Kansas with his Pinnacle Racing Group Chevrolet team.

#28 Kyle Sieg: Looking past the top ten, Kyle Sieg and his family-owned RSS Racing team had a much needed strong day in Kansas as well. The #28 entry for RSS has struggled to find speed somewhat this season, but Kansas provided Sieg with a 17th-place finish (after starting 24th). With a limited budget, the #28 team showed they can still run towards the top of the field.

After struggling during late summer to gain some footing, Sieg has finished 21st and 17th the last two races. He also has a 9th-place finish in the series’ return to Atlanta.

Photo Credit: Jayski and Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

HOLLYWOOD CASINO 400

Race Winner: Chase Elliott

#88 Shane Van Gisbergen: SVG continued to show he is learning ovals quickly, with Kansas being a banner day for the former Australian V8 Supercar champ. Qualifying his Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet in 24th, the rookie contender had to drop to the rear of the field for unapproved adjustments prior to the race.

SVG methodically worked his way through the field, and left Kansas with a 10th-place finish. Despite his four road course wins thus far, the 1oth-place effort was his first top ten on an oval this season.

#34 Todd Gilliland: Moving to Front Row Motorsports’ #34 Ford this season, Gilliland has had a roller coaster of results this season. Kansas showed the team can still be competitive with a solid 12th-place finish, after qualifying 23rd. 

Gilliland has showed signs of improvement the last few weeks, collecting his second straight top twenty finish. Prior to Kansas, Gilliland’s best run was a 6th place finish in Indianapolis.

Photo Credit: Jayski and Front Row Motorsports

#10 Ty Dillon: The “other” Dillon brother far outran his sibling in Kansas, continuing a recent wave of stronger performances with his new Kaulig team this season. Following in Gilliland’s footsteps, Dillon finished a solid 13th after starting in the 33rd spot.

While Dillon’s debut season in Kaulig Racing’s #10 Chevrolet has seen its struggles, the team is showing signs of improvement. Dillon also has one top ten, which came with an 8th-place finish in the second Atlanta event.