The Latest Breaking News from Erik Jones

Only two of the four drivers eligible to win the 2023 season title advanced to the final round of qualifying Saturday, but Byron came away with top overall average speed at 132.597 mph to win the pole for Sunday’s season finale.

In his new role with the organization, Kenseth, the 2003 Cup Series champion and 2023 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee, will provide guidance and strategy in competition areas while serving as a mentor to drivers Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek, who will join the team next season.

After watching his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson – who dominated most of the race – wreck out late, Byron got around Bubba Wallace and Chase Briscoe on a restart with five of 267 laps remaining to take the lead for the first time.

After powering past Brad Keselowski with 80 laps to go, Denny Hamlin appeared set to sweep victories in both Kansas races this season until Chris Buescher hit the wall with seven laps remaining and sent the race into a two-lap overtime.

As Sunday’s race at Kansas Speedway drew to a close, Hamlin was in solid command of the lead over Tyler Reddick, who drives for 23XI Racing, which Hamlin co-owns with NBA legend Michael Jordan.

23XI Racing won at Kansas early in the 2022 season with Kurt Busch, then sweeping both races there with Bubba Wallace taking victory in the playoffs. Now, Tyler Reddick has followed suit with his own victory at Kansas while behind the wheel of the No. 45 machine.

Denny Hamlin appeared set to sweep victories in both Kansas races this season until Chris Buescher hit the wall and sent the race into a two-lap overtime.

Nemechek, 26, hasn't been full-time in the Cup Series since 2020 when he drove for Front Row Motorsports. After finishing 27th in points and losing his ride at FRM, he then essentially repeated the NASCAR ladder system.

Nemechek, 26, hasn't been full-time in the Cup Series since 2020 when he drove for Front Row Motorsports. After finishing 27th in points and losing his ride at FRM, he then went and essentially repeated the NASCAR ladder system.

Larson grabbed control of the race late in the final stage, when he was first off pitroad after the field came in during a caution caused by Ryan Newman spinning off at Turn 4.

Larson grabbed control of the race late in the final stage, when he was first off pit road when the field pit during a caution caused by Ryan Newman spinning off Turn 4.