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Kansas winners and losers

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Brad Keselowski caps off a wild NASCAR Cup race at Kansas Speedway with a dramatic OT win over Alex Bowman, who had led for 63 laps.

WINNERS

Fans — Combined with the cool temperatures, the package used at Kansas Speedway led to wild restarts and some exciting action. Of course, a late caution that sent the race into overtime also gave fans something to talk about. The 23 lead changes were one short of the total number of lead changes in both Kansas Cup races combined last year.

Ross Chastain — His emotions in victory lane after his Truck win Friday showed the tough road it has been since last year. He was set to be in a full-time Xfinity ride with Chip Ganassi Racing before the FBI raided the offices of what was to be Chastain’s sponsor. Soon after, Ganassi cut its Xfinity program for lack of sponsorship, leaving Chastain searching for rides. He has started every Cup, Xfinity and Truck race this season — 29 after Saturday night’s Cup race — setting a record.

Brad Keselowski His team overcame struggles early to score its third victory of the season. Winners find ways to win.
Alex Bowman — Some will say that the runner-up is the first loser but even though Bowman was hard on himself afterward, he’s scored three consecutive second-place finishes.

Chevrolet teams — Seven Chevys finished in the top 10 for the manufacturer’s best overall performance this season.

LOSERS

Getting the order right — A 10-lap caution for a wheel that crossed pit road is simply unacceptable. That the caution came in the middle of green flag pit stops complicated matters but that’s what all the technology series officials use is for — to get the order right. NASCAR twice called off the restart to get cars in line. There also was an issue late in the race at Bristol about getting the field properly aligned. This can’t continue.

Kevin Harvick — He seemed to have the car to beat — winning the first stage and being the runner-up in the second stage — but things changed when he thought he had a right front tire going down and pitted under green, losing a lap. Instead it was debris on the front of the car that changed the handling characteristics. While Harvick got back on the lead lap, he was never a factor again, finishing 13th.