KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Chase Elliott’s playoff opener was over early after NASCAR's regular-season Cup Series champion lost control of his No. 9 Chevrolet and was hit by Chase Briscoe last weekend at Darlington. The result was a 36th place finish and a big blow to Elliott's title hopes. But the 2020 champ only dropped from the top seed to ninth entering Sunday's race at Kansas Speedway. That is the second of three stops before the playoff field is whittled from 16 to 12. Elliott is still very much in the title hunt.