Chase Elliott came from far back in the field to win on the Roval in Charlotte, his second consecutive win there and fourth in a row on a road course in the Cup Series, qualifying him to the next round of the NASCAR Cup playoffs, with the series headed to the Kansas Speedway this week for a 1:30 pm start time on Sunday.
Elliott qualified for the round of eight in the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year, but has never made it to the final race still in contention. Defending series champion Kyle Busch was among four drivers eliminated from the playoffs. He has just four races left to extend his streak to 16 consecutive seasons with at least one victory.
The other drivers eliminated were Austin Dillon and Stewart-Haas Racing teammates Clint Bowyer and Aric Almirola.
Kevin Harvick will take a 13-point lead over Hamlin and a 32-point edge over Brad Keselowski into the weekend. Elliott is fourth, 40 points back.
Last year, Denny Hamlin won after starting 23rd, the third-deepest spot for a driver on the starting grid to get to victory lane last season.
