Major playoff implications from Kansas failures

The championship hunt is over for four additional drivers following 267 laps at Kansas Speedway with Kyle Larson being the biggest surprise.

Larson was eliminated from the playoffs when the engine in his No. 42 Chevrolet expired on Lap 78. The Chip Ganassi Racing driver knew he had lost a cylinder and after bringing his car to pit road for a diagnosis tried to nurse it as far as it would go.

Finishing 39th, Larson did not advance into the Round of 8 despite having a 29-point advantage entering the day. He entered the postseason as one of the title favorites with four wins.

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"I guess, I'm not stunned because freak things happen in every sport. I mean, you look at every year in the past and a lot of times, most every time at least in the new playoff format era, not always does the best team win," Larson said. "Not saying we are the best team, but we have been one of the contenders all season long.

"So, I'm not stunned, because it is a long 10-race playoff season, so anything can happen, but we have had a solid playoffs. We have been consistent and just now got bit."

Matt Kenseth was also eliminated. The No. 20 team was disqualified from the race after it had seven crew members go over the wall to work on the car. Kenseth had been involved in the big accident on Lap 199 and under the damage vehicle policy and five-minute clock, only six crewmen are allowed over the wall.

Also involved in the same accident was Jamie McMurray. But McMurray was in a near must-win situation if he hoped to advance. He finished 34th.

"Had a really good car. Had maybe, I don't know ... we had a car that could have won," McMurray said, who had spent time running inside the top 10. "I think if we could have gotten to the front, but just didn't make it to the end."

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was the last driver eliminated. The No. 17 team also needed to win to advance but Stenhouse finished 29th.

Reseeded points totals:

Martin Truex Jr. - 4069
Kyle Busch - 4042
Brad Keselowski - 4026
Kevin Harvick - 4017
Jimmie Johnson - 4017
Denny Hamlin - 4014
Ryan Blaney - 4009
Chase Elliott - 4006