Official Release

There will be four drivers eliminated from the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs this weekend at Kansas Speedway while the NASCAR XFINITY Series kicks off its Round of 8.  Ford has eight drivers in the two series combined still in title contention.  Here’s a look at where each one stands going into their respective races.

John Hunter Nemechek and GMS Racing will utilize chassis no. 223 this weekend at Kansas Speedway. This chassis has been ran four times this season by Nemechek. Twice at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (start: 10th/finish: 2nd - Spring & start: 13th/finish: 8th - Fall), Charlotte Motor Speedway (start: 14th/finish: 12th) and at Kentucky Speedway (start: 11th/finish: 12th).

Kaulig Racing announced today its expansion to two full-time entries for the 2020 NASCAR Xfinity Series season with Ross Chastain, who will join Justin Haley. Nutrien Ag Solutions will serve as the primary sponsor for 23 races, riding along as the No. 10 team competes for the 2020 NXS Championship.

Jeb Burton will make his second start with Niece Motorsports in the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series (NGOTS) at Martinsville Speedway on Saturday, October 26.

Stenhouse has 13 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) starts at Kansas Speedway with an average starting position of 14.3 and average finishing position of 17.9.

Denny Hamlin sustained damage during one of the muliple accidents in today’s rain-postponed race at Talladega, but was able to calculate his moves on the race track to be in position in the closing laps and score a third-place result.

"I'm so glad we were able to bring home a solid finish with our No. 3 American Ethanol / RCR 50th Chevrolet today. We needed that. We were able to avoid all the big wrecks today and managed to be in contention at the end. On that final run, I just needed the No. 17 (Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.) to pick me up for us to really have a shot at the win."

RYAN BLANEY, No. 12 Dent Wizard Ford Mustang – VICTORY LANE INTERVIEW - WHAT AN EFFORT BY YOU AND YOUR ENTIRE TEAM TODAY: “Yeah, it was an amazing effort the last two days to be honest with you. We spun out early yesterday and missed some big ones today. We were able to weave our way through. I can’t thank Aric Almirola enough for helping me out there at the end."

AUSTIN DILLON, NO. 3 AMERICAN ETHANOL / RCR 50TH CAMARO ZL1 – Finished 6th “It pushed really well and to get up through there at times, it just didn’t seem to be able to maintain the lead. But I’m glad we were able to get a good finish. Sixth place, we needed that. The No. 17 (Ricky Stenhouse Jr.), he had a heck of a run down the backstretch. If he could have picked me up, it would have been nice. We did everything we could for what we had, and the race was very close.”

Last year's ARCA Menards Series finale at Kansas Speedway had little championship drama, as Sheldon Creed needed to only present his car for practice to become the 35th driver to become the series champion in ARCA's then 67-year history.