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Joey Logano wins at Kansas to advance into 3rd round of NASCAR's championship race

Associated Press
Published | Updated

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers Joey Logano (22) and Michael McDowell (95) head into turn one during a race at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan., Sunday, Oct. 5, 2014. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley) (The Associated Press)

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick (4) has a tire changed on pit row during a race at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan., Sunday, Oct. 5, 2014. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley) (The Associated Press)

Joey Logano has grabbed the first berth in the next round of NASCAR's championship race with a victory Sunday at Kansas Speedway.

Logano's win advanced him into the third round of the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship, which begins after stops at Charlotte and Talladega. Four drivers will be cut from the 12-driver field after Talladega.

It puts the pressure on for some of NASCAR's top drivers, many of whom had problems at Kansas. Six-time and defending champion Jimmie Johnson was in an early wreck, then Hendrick Motorsports teammates Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kasey Kahne both hit the wall.

Logano teammate Brad Keselowski also hit the wall because of a tire problem, and Kevin Harvick made an unscheduled pit stop when he feared he had a tire problem.