Andretti could tell that cars would end up carrying too much load and force as they headed into the traditional Turns 3 and 4 of the oval, and with the number of road-course turns that now lead into that corner, an addition of another chicane would allow the cars to slow down and potentially increase competition.

When Denny Hamlin emerged from the clutches of potential Round of 16 elimination to advance in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, his crew chief, Chris Gabehart, offered a preview of what the three races in the Round of 12 might hold — featuring Kansas,