Sights & Sounds: Kicking off the Contender Round at Kansas


Editor's note: Scroll down for updates...
11:30 a.m. ET -- It's a great day to kick off the Contender Round of the Chase for the Sprint Cup with today's Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway.
The drivers are out and about early around the track, taking part in autograph sessions, fan meet-and-greets, and sponsor appearances.
#FordNation's @joeylogano is in the @Ford display @kansasspeedway! pic.twitter.com/Ew17N94uoN
— Ford Racing (@FordRacing) October 5, 2014
It's @CaterpillarInc hospitality time @kansasspeedway! Thanks for coming & supporting @RyanJNewman and team! #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/RdppFx0gWH
— RCR 31 Cup Team (@RCR31RNewman) October 5, 2014
JJ hangs out with the kids and families at the @kansasspeedway ticket package and answers their questions. #lowes48 pic.twitter.com/BYtrfw75je
— Team Lowe's Racing (@LowesRacing) October 5, 2014
#TheKing and @aric_almirola cheering on @FarmlandFoods #bacon eating contest. #fueledbybacon #nascar pic.twitter.com/VUaFl3z4l0
— RPMotorsports (@RPMotorsports) October 5, 2014
The #outlaw @KurtBusch signing at the @PANICSWITCHARMY trailer. Stop by for cool @MonsterEnergy & Outlaw gear. pic.twitter.com/gUJw789Mir
— Jonathan Helfman (@jhelfman) October 5, 2014
While the drivers are making the rounds, team members are preparing for 400 miles of racing and getting their pit boxes ready for all the action on pit road throughout the day.
Good Morning #NASCAR Nation! Our pit crews are setting up on pit road while engineers & mechanics do final checks. pic.twitter.com/BXmz5yHJlb
— Boris for JGR (@JoeGibbsRacing) October 5, 2014
Getting the command post set up for today's race at @kansasspeedway #NASCAR #Menards pic.twitter.com/d8MDdc5gcL
— RCR 27 Cup Team (@RCR27PMenard) October 5, 2014
.@dennyhamlin & the @FedExOffice team know how to get around @kansasspeedway. It will be fun to watch this car today: pic.twitter.com/0Rh1IZyecb
— Boris for JGR (@JoeGibbsRacing) October 5, 2014
RT @TomcatNASCAR: @FR78Racing guys hard at work for today's #HC400. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/vmfNEstjpf
— FurnitureRowRacing (@FR78Racing) October 5, 2014
12 p.m. ET -- NASCAR RaceDay gets you ready for today's race at Kansas right now on FOX Sports 1! Be sure to take part in the debate with our Connect Live questions throughout the show.
REMINDER: You can join the #NASCAR #RaceDay debate w/ our Connect Live questions throughout the broadcast. Vote here» http://t.co/waZwsrjkmw
— FOX SPORTS: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) October 5, 2014
The competitors are starting to head into the driver-crew chief meeting before Sunday's race.
The golf cart brigade to shuttle drivers out of the drivers' meeting pic.twitter.com/AQLC738Zp4
— Nick Bromberg (@NickBromberg) October 5, 2014
Now this is a face that says "I'm ready to go racing!" ;) Almost time for the green flag to fly! -JW pic.twitter.com/yj3RM2PDU1
— Miss Sprint Cup (@MissSprintCup) October 5, 2014
.@aric_almirola & @jamiemcmurray have a "little" addition to their group at drivers meeting! :) -JW pic.twitter.com/YA66KHeD54
— Miss Sprint Cup (@MissSprintCup) October 5, 2014
These @TeamHendrick drivers know how to arrive in style! Where are our @DaleJr & @kaseykahne fans at?! -JW pic.twitter.com/IuwnzsMkNm
— Miss Sprint Cup (@MissSprintCup) October 5, 2014
12:45 p.m. ET -- The teams are starting to push the cars to the grid as we're getting closer and closer to the drop of the green flag.
The @mtn_dew Chevy SS on the grid at @kansasspeedway. pic.twitter.com/lkuVW49Icp
— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) October 5, 2014
Roll em out! We're less than 2 hours away from the first race in the Contender round. #MyChaseNation #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/XSvu1kAGVX
— Ashley Mitchell (@AshleyTMitchell) October 5, 2014
Today's #HC400 starting vine-up. #NASCAR #MyChaseNation https://t.co/unK5yv3gDr
— #MyChaseNation (@NASCAR) October 5, 2014
The Nos. 5 and 24 on the grid at @kansasspeedway. pic.twitter.com/pFKn3sczA2
— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) October 5, 2014
1:40 p.m. ET -- With driver introductions just about to be underway, drivers are gathering behind the stage.
Veteran driver @JimmieJohnson chats with rookie driver @AlexBRacing on the way to driver intros! -KC pic.twitter.com/pT6CvtwSLb
— Miss Sprint Cup (@MissSprintCup) October 5, 2014
.@DavidRagan poses for a quick pic with a little fan. pic.twitter.com/LbMaS0snXM
— FrontRow Motorsports (@FrontRowNASCAR) October 5, 2014
JJ talks to Harvick and other #MyChaseNation drivers backstage at driver intros. #lowes48 pic.twitter.com/0iLoxHSQi4
— Team Lowe's Racing (@LowesRacing) October 5, 2014
.@gbiffle & @kaseykahne catch up at Driver Intros! -KC pic.twitter.com/MiouOmNQig
— Miss Sprint Cup (@MissSprintCup) October 5, 2014
.@Keselowski takes the stage to show off his Chase for the @NASCAR Sprint Cup leader flag! -KC pic.twitter.com/hGLY1RJ4bd
— Miss Sprint Cup (@MissSprintCup) October 5, 2014
2:05 p.m. ET -- The anthem has been sung and the drivers are climbing in their cars to kick off the Contenders Round of the Chase for the Sprint Cup. Be sure to follow all the action with RaceTrax, our live leaderboard and in-race commentary.
Anthem @kansasspeedway pic.twitter.com/SCU2qe5g4B
— RCR (@RCRracing) October 5, 2014
