Electric Cars

Prepare for the Ultimate High-Stakes Showdown at Kansas Speedway!

The Playoff Landscape: Intense Competition After New Hampshire

Following a decisive showing by Team Penske at New Hampshire, where Ryan Blaney secured his advancement to the Round of 8, the playoff contention becomes even more rigorous as the series moves to Kansas Speedway. Several racers find themselves on the brink, positioned below the critical cutline. This includes Ross Chastain, trailing by 12 points; Austin Cindric, 19 points behind; Tyler Reddick, with a 23-point deficit; and Bubba Wallace, who is 27 points adrift. Interestingly, the previous three autumn races at Kansas were won by drivers currently in this challenged group, adding another layer of intrigue. Meanwhile, Kyle Larson, the most recent victor at Kansas, aims to rediscover his winning form after a period without a win since May. Chase Briscoe currently holds the precarious bubble position, just 12 points clear of Chastain.

Full Event Schedule for the Kansas Race Weekend

The race weekend at Kansas Speedway features a packed schedule of events. On Friday, September 26th, the ARCA Menards Series will kick off with a 100-lap race at 8:00 PM EST, broadcast on FOX SPORTS 1. Saturday, September 27th, includes practice sessions for the NASCAR Xfinity Series at 10:30 AM EST and qualifying at 11:35 AM EST, both available on the CW APP. The NASCAR Cup Series will have its practice at 1:00 PM EST and qualifying at 2:10 PM EST, both airing on TRUTV. The day concludes with the NASCAR Xfinity Series race, covering 200 laps, starting at 4:00 PM EST on THE CW. The main event, the NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas, is scheduled for Sunday, September 28th, at 3:00 PM EST on the USA NETWORK.

Essential Viewing Information for the NASCAR Cup Series Race

The NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas, set for Sunday, September 28th, will begin its television coverage at 2:30 PM EST, with the green flag expected at 3:05 PM EST. Racers will complete 267 laps, totaling approximately 400 miles, divided into stages of 80, 85, and 102 laps. Teams are permitted nine sets of tires for the event. Fans in the United States can tune into the USA NETWORK, while Canadian viewers can watch on TSN. For international audiences, additional viewing options are available on NASCAR.com. Live in-car camera feeds will be accessible via HBO MAX, and radio coverage will be provided by MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Participating Teams and Drivers at Kansas Speedway

A total of 37 teams are slated to compete in this weekend's race, including one part-time entrant. The NY Racing Team will be fielding its No. 44 Chevrolet, driven by J.J. Yeley. The roster of drivers includes a mix of established veterans and promising talents. Key playoff contenders, highlighted in bold, are fiercely battling for supremacy. Notable drivers in the field include Ross Chastain, Austin Cindric, Austin Dillon, Noah Gragson, Kyle Larson, Brad Keselowski, Justin Haley, Kyle Busch, Chase Elliott, Ty Dillon, Denny Hamlin, Ryan Blaney, AJ Allmendinger, Chris Buescher, Chase Briscoe, Christopher Bell, Josh Berry, Joey Logano, Bubba Wallace, William Byron, Todd Gilliland, Riley Herbst, Zane Smith, Cole Custer, John Hunter Nemechek, Erik Jones, JJ Yeley, Tyler Reddick, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Alex Bowman, Cody Ware, Ty Gibbs, Ryan Preece, Michael McDowell, Carson Hocevar, Shane van Gisbergen, and Daniel Suarez. Each driver will be looking to leave their mark on the challenging Kansas track.

In the high-stakes world of Formula 1, where every millisecond counts, teams continuously seek innovative ways to gain a competitive edge. One such method is the Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) program, which has become increasingly vital due to strict regulations limiting on-track testing with current machinery. This article delves into the intricacies of TPC, its benefits, and the rules governing its use, shedding light on a less-publicized but crucial aspect of F1 operations.

TPC programs offer a strategic avenue for F1 teams to enhance performance and prepare for upcoming seasons. These tests are primarily designed to keep drivers sharp, especially during the off-season or when integrating new talent into the team. For instance, Lewis Hamilton's participation in a Ferrari TPC session earlier this year exemplifies how established drivers leverage these opportunities to acclimate to new environments and build rapport with their engineering teams. Beyond driver preparation, TPC also serves as an invaluable tool for data collection, allowing teams to gather crucial information on car behavior and track characteristics, which indirectly aids in developing future car designs. Furthermore, for new entrants like Cadillac, TPC provides a pathway to familiarize themselves with F1 car dynamics, even if it means utilizing another team's older car with the FIA's approval.

However, the implementation of TPC is not without its constraints. Article 10.2 of the sporting regulations outlines specific rules, most notably that cars used for TPC must be at least two years old, ensuring that teams cannot gain an unfair advantage by testing current-generation technology. Only one car is permitted per day of testing, preventing excessive track time. Additionally, testing must occur on Grade 1 circuits, which are common to the F1 calendar, but teams are prohibited from using tracks scheduled to host a Grand Prix within 60 days. Recent adjustments in 2025 have capped TPC days at 20 per season, with a maximum of four days allocated to full-time drivers and a total distance limit of 1000km. The FIA has also addressed power unit changes for 2026, mandating engine suppliers to provide older power units to former customer teams, albeit with potential cost implications, as budget caps do not apply to TPC programs, allowing suppliers to set their own prices.

The TPC program stands as a testament to Formula 1's ongoing commitment to balancing innovation with fair competition. By strategically utilizing older cars for testing, teams can nurture talent, optimize operational readiness, and gather valuable insights, all within a framework designed to control costs and maintain a level playing field. This practice not only reinforces driver and team cohesion but also contributes significantly to the sport's continuous evolution.