Race Overview
On May 11, 2025, the NASCAR Cup Series rolled into Kansas Speedway for the AdventHealth 400, the 12th race of the 2025 season. Contested over 267 laps on the 1.5-mile tri-oval, the event saw 15 lead changes among nine drivers, seven caution periods for 37 laps, and no red flags, with the checkered flag waving after 3 hours, 5 minutes, and 13 seconds of competition at an average speed of 129.74 mph.
Pole Awarded & Stage Sweeps
Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson clinched the pole position with a lap of 29.391 seconds (183.730 mph) and proceeded to sweep both Stage 1 (80 laps) and Stage 2 (85 laps), earning maximum stage points. He also picked up the Xfinity Fastest Lap Award, setting himself up for a dominant afternoon at the front of the field.
Key Moments & Battle for the Win
Larson led a race-high 221 of the 267 laps but faced significant tire wear in the closing stages. After the fourth caution, Christopher Bell briefly challenged for the lead, but Larson managed his worn tires skillfully, holding off Bell by 0.712 seconds at the finish. Brad Keselowski’s unplanned pit stop for a tire blowout resulted in his fifth DNF of the season, underscoring the tricky handling conditions late in the race.
Podium & Top Ten Finishers
- 1st: Kyle Larson (Hendrick Motorsports, No. 5 Chevrolet)
- 2nd: Christopher Bell (Joe Gibbs Racing, No. 20 Toyota)
- 3rd: Ryan Blaney (Team Penske, No. 12 Ford)
Rounding out the top five were Chase Briscoe and Alex Bowman, while Josh Berry, Ryan Preece, Chris Buescher, Joey Logano, and John Hunter Nemechek completed the top ten.
Records & Milestones
With this victory, Larson notched his 32nd career win—tying Dale Jarrett—and his third win of the 2025 season. He also surpassed the milestone of 10,000 career laps led, joining Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch as the only active drivers to reach that plateau.
Championship Implications
Post-race standings see Larson extending his championship lead to 469 points, 35 points ahead of teammate William Byron. Christopher Bell climbed to third with 384 points, while Ryan Blaney sits fifth, 107 markers back of the leader.
Broadcast & Viewership
The race broadcast on FS1 featured Mike Joy, Clint Bowyer, and Kevin Harvick in the booth, drawing a Nielsen audience of 2.319 million viewers. MRN and Sirius XM NASCAR Radio provided live radio coverage.
Conclusion
Kyle Larson’s performance at Kansas Speedway underscored his mastery of 1.5-mile intermediates and his ability to manage tires under pressure. As the series moves on to its next event, Larson’s momentum as both a race winner and championship favorite shows no signs of slowing.
