3 Hendrick drivers are in playoff peril entering Kansas race

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Chase Elliott insisted the weekly routine hasn’t changed a bit within the Hendrick Motorsports garages, the four teams swapping information and ideas as if they were preparing for any other race.

Only their race Sunday at Kansas Speedway isn’t just any other race.

Especially for three of the team’s four drivers. Elliott is joined by Alex Bowman and William Byron outside of the cut line for the round of eight in NASCAR’s version of the playoffs. Each still could advance based on points, but realistically they all face must-win situations to avoid elimination.

“Obviously one of us could make it and the rest of us couldn’t, so there’s definitely more at stake,” said Elliott.

“I can’t bow out of our competition meeting and I don’t think any of the other guys would,” he added. “We’ll continue to do our parts and however we use that to our advantage is up to us.”

Kyle Larson and Ryan Blaney already won to lock up their places in the next round, which begins at Martinsville. Denny Hamlin, Martin Truex Jr., Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick are reasonably safe based on points, leaving Penske Racing teammates Brad Keselowski and defending Cup Series champ Joey Logano as the most vulnerable to falling below the cut line.

Bowman is 20 points behind Keselowski and 18 back of Logano, while Elliott is another four points adrift. Byron is five more back, behind StewartHaas Racing’s Clint Bowyer in the standings.

“I think this is the toughest round of 12 that I’ve been part of in my four years for sure,” Elliott said.