Tensions are high, the point standings are tight, and once the stadium lights illuminate the ‘World’s Fastest Half-Mile’ expect nothing less than a spectacular showdown amongst the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs’ 16 in Saturday night’s Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway (Sept. 21 at 7:30 p.m. ET on USA, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).
With this weekend’s highly anticipated event serving as the elimination race for the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 16, a lot is on the line for the postseason contenders. Team Penske’s Joey Logano is the only driver that has locked himself into the Round of 12 by virtue of his Atlanta win leaving 11 spots still up for grabs on Saturday.
| NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Standings Outlook | |||||||
| Following Watkins Glen International (Playoff Race #2 of 10) – September 15, 2024 | |||||||
| Rank | Driver | Vehicle | Points | Race Wins | Stage Wins | Playoff Pts | +/- Cutoff |
| 1 | Joey Logano | 22 | 2,084 | 2 | 2 | 12 | In On Wins |
| 2 | Christopher Bell | 20 | 2,089 | 3 | 10 | 32 | 46 |
| 3 | Austin Cindric | 2 | 2,086 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 43 |
| 4 | Alex Bowman | 48 | 2,084 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 41 |
| 5 | Daniel Suarez | 99 | 2,079 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 36 |
| 6 | Tyler Reddick | 45 | 2,073 | 2 | 3 | 28 | 30 |
| 7 | Chase Elliott | 9 | 2,073 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 30 |
| 8 | Ryan Blaney | 12 | 2,072 | 2 | 4 | 19 | 29 |
| 9 | Kyle Larson | 5 | 2,069 | 4 | 10 | 40 | 26 |
| 10 | William Byron | 24 | 2,068 | 3 | 1 | 22 | 25 |
| 11 | Chase Briscoe | 14 | 2,049 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 6 |
| 12 | Ty Gibbs | 54 | 2,049 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| 13 | Denny Hamlin | 11 | 2,043 | 3 | 6 | 15 | -6 |
| 14 | Brad Keselowski | 6 | 2,037 | 1 | 0 | 8 | -12 |
| 15 | Martin Truex Jr. | 19 | 2,035 | 0 | 4 | 5 | -14 |
| 16 | Harrison Burton | 21 | 2,029 | 1 | 0 | 5 | -20 |
With a fast-paced short track like Bristol, anything can happen this weekend. Since inception of the elimination-style format to the Playoffs, the biggest point lead over the Round of 12 cutline after the second race of the Round of 16 of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs to miss advancing, was 14 points by Ryan Newman in 2019. And the largest point deficit to the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 12 cutline after the second race of the Round of 16 of the Playoffs to move on was 19 points by Bubba Wallace last season (2023).
Clinch Scenarios: Last chance to make the Playoffs’ Round of 12
This weekend’s Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway will bring the first round of the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs to a close and four drivers will be eliminated from the postseason bringing the 16-driver field down to 12. With only Team Penske’s Joey Logano locked-in to the next round, which leaves 11 positions still up for grabs this weekend at the ‘World’s Fastest Half-Mile’.
Already Clinched
The following driver has clinched a spot in the 12-driver field of the next round: Joey Logano.
Can Clinch Via Points
If there is a repeat winner or a win by a driver who cannot advance to the next round, the following drivers could clinch by being ahead of the 12th winless driver in the standings. The same point requirements listed below would hold true if a new win comes from among Christopher Bell, Austin Cindric, Alex Bowman, Daniel Suarez, Tyler Reddick, Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney, Kyle Larson, William Byron, Chase Briscoe or Ty Gibbs.
- Christopher Bell: Would clinch with 10 points
- Austin Cindric: Would clinch with 13 points
- Alex Bowman: Would clinch with 15 points
- Daniel Suarez: Would clinch with 19 points
- Tyler Reddick: Would clinch with 26 points
- Chase Elliott: Would clinch with 26 points
- Ryan Blaney: Would clinch with 27 points
- Kyle Larson: Would clinch with 30 points
- William Byron: Would clinch with 31 points
- Chase Briscoe: Would clinch with 50 points
- Ty Gibbs: Would clinch with 50 points
- Denny Hamlin: Could only clinch with help
- Brad Keselowski: Could only clinch with help
- Martin Truex Jr.: Could only clinch with help
- Harrison Burton: Could only clinch with help
If there is a new winner from Denny Hamlin or another winless driver lower in the standings but still eligible to advance to the next round, the following drivers could clinch by being ahead of the 11th winless driver in the standings.
- Christopher Bell: Would clinch with 14 points
- Austin Cindric: Would clinch with 17 points
- Alex Bowman: Would clinch with 19 points
- Daniel Suarez: Would clinch with 23 points
- Tyler Reddick: Would clinch with 30 points
- Chase Elliott: Would clinch with 30 points
- Ryan Blaney: Would clinch with 31 points
- Kyle Larson: Would clinch with 34 points
- William Byron: Would clinch with 35 points
- Chase Briscoe: Would clinch with 54 points
- Ty Gibbs: Would clinch with 54 points
- Denny Hamlin: Could only clinch with help
- Brad Keselowski: Could only clinch with help
- Martin Truex Jr.: Could only clinch with help
- Harrison Burton: Could only clinch with help
Can Clinch Via Win
The following drivers would clinch on their win alone:
- Christopher Bell, Austin Cindric, Alex Bowman, Daniel Suarez, Tyler Reddick, Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney, Kyle Larson, William Byron, Chase Briscoe, Ty Gibbs, Denny Hamlin, Brad Keselowski, Martin Truex Jr., Harrison Burton
Can’t Eliminate This: Previous drivers that have raced their way into the Round of 12
Since the introduction of the ‘elimination-style’ format of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs in 2014, several drivers have raced their way into the Round of 12 in the third and final cutoff race of the Round of 16.
2014: Heading to Dover Motor Speedway (the third race of the Playoffs) in 2014, Denny Hamlin was ranked 13th in the Playoff standings and six points back from the Round of 12 cutoff. Hamlin finished 12th at Dover and advanced on points, knocking A.J. Allmendinger (23rd-place finish at Dover) out of the Playoffs.
2015: Heading to Dover Motor Speedway (the third race of the Playoffs) in 2015, Kevin Harvick was ranked 15th in the Playoff standings, 23 points back from the Round of 12 cutoff and Kyle Busch was ranked 13th in the Playoff standings just one point behind the Round of 12 cutoff. Kevin Harvick won the race at Dover and automatically advanced to the next round. Kyle Busch finished second at Dover and advanced on points to the Round of 12 knocking Jamie McMurray (fourth-place finish at Dover) and Jimmie Johnson (41st-place finish due to mechanical issues at Dover) out of the Playoffs.
2016: Heading to Dover Motor Speedway (the third race of the Playoffs) in 2016, Austin Dillon was ranked 13th in the Playoff standings just five points back from the Round of 12 cutoff. Kyle Larson was ranked 12th in the Playoff standings coming into Dover. Dillon finished eighth at Dover and advanced on points knocking Kyle Larson (25th-place finish at Dover) out of the Playoffs.
2017: The four drivers below the Round of 12 cutline heading into the third race of the 2017 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs at Dover Motor Speedway – Ryan Newman, Austin Dillon, Kasey Kahne and Kurt Busch – all failed to advance to the Round of 12 and were eliminated from the Playoffs following the Dover race.
2018: Heading to the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL (the third race of the Playoffs) in 2018, Clint Bowyer was ranked 13th in the Playoff standings and four points back from the Round of 12 cutoff. Bowyer finished third at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL and advanced on points knocking Austin Dillon (39th-place finish at the Charlotte ROVAL due to an incident) out of the Playoffs.
2019: Heading to the Charlotte ROVAL (the third race of the Playoffs) in 2019, Clint Bowyer was ranked 14th in the Playoff standings, four points back from the Round of 12 cutoff and Alex Bowman was ranked 13th in the Playoff standings just two points behind the Round of 12 cutoff. Bowyer finished fourth and Alex Bowman finished second at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course. Both drivers advanced on points to the Round of 12 knocking Kyle Larson (13th-place finish at Charlotte) and Aric Almirola (14th-place finish at Charlotte) out of the Playoffs.
2020: The four drivers below the Round of 12 cutline heading into the third race of the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs at Bristol Motor Speedway – William Byron (-3), Cole Custer (-8), Matt DiBenedetto (-25) and Ryan Blaney (-27) – all failed to advance to the Round of 12 and were eliminated from the Playoffs following the Bristol race.
2021: Heading into Bristol Motor Speedway (the third race of the Playoffs) in 2021, Aric Almirola was ranked 11th in the Playoff outlook, up three points on the Round of 12 cutline. Kurt Busch was ranked in the 12th and final position to advance on points to the Round of 12, and he was tied with 13th place Alex Bowman; followed by Tyler Reddick in 14th (-5 points), William Byron in 15th (-18) and Michael McDowell in 16th (-38). Byron finished third and Bowman finished fourth at Bristol, and both drivers advanced on points to the Round of 12 knocking Aric Almirola (18th-place finish), Kurt Busch (19th-place finish) out of the Playoffs. Reddick (12th-place finish) and McDowell (24th-place finish) also failed to advance to the next round.
2022: Heading to Bristol Motor Speedway (the third race of the Playoffs) in 2022, Tyler Reddick was ranked 11th in the Playoff outlook, and he was tied with 12th place Austin Cindric, and they were two points up on 13th place Kyle Busch. Rounding out the top 16 was Austin Dillon in 14th (-3 points), Chase Briscoe in 15th (-9) and Kevin Harvick in 16th (-35). Briscoe finished 14th and Cindric finished 20th at Bristol, and both drivers advanced on points to the Round of 12 knocking Tyler Reddick (25th-place finish) out of the Playoffs. Busch (34th-place finish), Dillon (31st-place finish) and Harvick (10th-place finish) also failed to advance to the next round.
2023: Heading to Bristol Motor Speedway (the third race of the Playoffs) in 2023, Joey Logano was ranked 11th in the Playoff outlook up +12 points on the cutline, and 12th place Kevin Harvick was +7 points up on 13th place Martin Truex Jr. Rounding out the top 16 was Bubba Wallace in 14th (-19 points), Ricky Stenhouse Jr. in 15th (-22) and Michael McDowell in 16th (-40). Bubba Wallace finished 14th and Martin Truex Jr. finished 19th at Bristol, and both drivers advanced on points to the Round of 12 knocking Joey Logano (34th-place finish) and Kevin Harvick (29th-place finish) out of the Playoffs. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (10th-place finish) and Michael McDowell (sixth-place finish) also failed to advance to the next round. Wallace advancing from a 19-point deficit was the largest point deficit to the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 12 cutline after the second race of the Round of 16 of the Playoffs to move on.
Bristol Motor Speedway a perfect stage for an elimination race
Despite the unpredictable nature of Bristol Motor Speedway, one thing is for sure this weekend, four NASCAR Cup Series Playoff drivers will be eliminated from the postseason, and only 12 of the 16 will advance to the next round.
The 2024 season marks the fourth-time Bristol Motor Speedway has hosted the third race (Round of 16 elimination race) of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs and this Saturday’s race is just the fifth Cup Series postseason event at the 0.533-mile track all-time (2020-2024). Prior to 2020 in the Playoff Era, from 2004-2019, Bristol Motor Speedway was scheduled as the 24th race of the regular season.
Bristol Motor Speedway (2020-2024) is the fifth different track in NASCAR Cup Series postseason history to host the third race of the Playoffs; joining Talladega Superspeedway (2004-2005), Kansas Speedway (2006–2010), Dover Motor Speedway (2011-2017) and the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL (2018-2019).
Expect the competition to be fierce in this weekend’s elimination race, back in March the NASCAR Cup Series Bristol race produced 54 lead changes – the most ever on a short track.
A myriad of challengers have won the third race of the Playoffs
A total of 15 different drivers have won the third race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs (2004-2021), led by Jimmie Johnson (2008, 2013), Greg Biffle (2007, 2010), Tony Stewart (2006, 2009) and Kevin Harvick (2015, 2020) with two wins each.
In total, non-Playoff drivers have won the third race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs four times – twice at Kansas (Tony Stewart was 11th in points in 2006 and Greg Biffle was 14th in points in 2007), once at Talladega (Dale Jarrett was 14th in points in 2005), and once at Bristol Motor Speedway (Chris Buescher was 21st in points in 2022).
A non-Playoff driver has not won a Playoff race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course (2018-2019) or at Dover Motor Speedway (2011 – 2017) when they were scheduled as the third race in the Playoffs.
| Third Race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs – Race Winners | |||
| Track | Date | Race Winners | Elimination Race Winner Notes |
| Bristol | Saturday, September 16, 2023 | Denny Hamlin | Locked in on points during the race |
| Bristol | Saturday, September 17, 2022 | Chris Buescher | Not a Playoff driver |
| Bristol | Saturday, September 18, 2021 | Kyle Larson | Was already locked in on points |
| Bristol | Sunday, September 19, 2020 | Kevin Harvick | Clinched on previous in round win |
| Charlotte RC | Sunday, September 29, 2019 | Chase Elliott | Entered 37 pts above cut line |
| Charlotte RC | Sunday, September 30, 2018 | Ryan Blaney | Entered 4 pts above cut line |
| Dover | Sunday, October 1, 2017 | Kyle Busch | Clinched on previous in round win |
| Dover | Sunday, October 2, 2016 | Martin Truex Jr | Clinched on previous in round win |
| Dover | Sunday, October 4, 2015 | Kevin Harvick | Was in must win position |
| Dover | Sunday, September 28, 2014 | Jeff Gordon | Entered safe on points |
| Dover | Sunday, September 29, 2013 | Jimmie Johnson | |
| Dover | Sunday, September 30, 2012 | Brad Keselowski | |
| Dover | Sunday, October 2, 2011 | Kurt Busch | |
| Kansas | Sunday, October 3, 2010 | Greg Biffle | |
| Kansas | Sunday, October 4, 2009 | Tony Stewart | |
| Kansas | Sunday, September 28, 2008 | Jimmie Johnson | |
| Kansas | Sunday, September 30, 2007 | Greg Biffle | |
| Kansas | Sunday, October 1, 2006 | Tony Stewart | |
| Talladega | Sunday, October 2, 2005 | Dale Jarrett | |
| Talladega | Sunday, October 3, 2004 | Dale Earnhardt Jr | |
In total, the winner of the third race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs has gone on to win the title four times; en yet is has only happened once (Kyle Larson, 2021) since the elimination-style format was instituted in 2014.
In 2021, Kyle Larson won the third race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs at Bristol Motor Speedway and went on to win his first series title. His Bristol Playoff victory was the first of a record tying five postseason wins in a single Playoff run (Bristol, Charlotte RC, Texas, Kansas, Phoenix) – tying NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart, who put up five Playoff wins in his 2011 championship run.
When the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course (2018-2019) and Talladega Superspeedway (2004-2005) hosted the third race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, none of the event winners went on to win the title in the same season.
When Dover Motor Speedway hosted the third race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs (2011-2017), two drivers won the event and went on to win the title in the same season. In 2012, Brad Keselowski won the third race of the Playoffs at Dover and went on to win his first series title. It was Keselowski’s lone win during the 2012 Playoffs. In 2013, Jimmie Johnson won the third race of the Playoffs at Dover and went on to win his sixth series title. It was his first of two Playoff wins that season (Dover-2, Texas-2).
When Kansas Speedway hosted the third race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs (2006-2010), only one driver won the event and went on to win the title in the same season – Jimmie Johnson, in 2008, won the third race of the Playoffs at Kansas and went on to win his third consecutive title. It was his first of three Playoff wins that season (Kansas, Martinsville-2, Phoenix-2).
The worst finish by a driver in the third NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race that went on to win the series’ title that same season was:
- At Bristol Motor Speedway (2020-2023): In 2022, Joey Logano finished 27th at Bristol Motor Speedway, the third race of the Playoffs, and went on to win the title later that season. Last season, Ryan Blaney finished 22nd at Bristol and went on to win the title.
- At Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course (2018-2019): In 2019, Kyle Busch finished 37th at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course – the third race of the Playoffs – and went on to win the title later that season.
- At Dover Motor Speedway (2011-2017): In 2011, Tony Stewart finished 25th at Dover Motor Speedway – the third race of the Playoffs – and went on to win the title later that season.
- At Kansas Speedway (2006-2010): In 2006, Jimmie Johnson finished 14th at Kansas Speedway – the third race of the Playoffs – and went on to win the title later that season.
- At Talladega Superspeedway (2004-2005): In 2004, Kurt Busch finished fifth at Talladega Superspeedway – the third race of the Playoffs – and went on to win the title later that season.
All the NASCAR Cup Series on-track activity at Bristol Motor Speedway begins this weekend with practice and Busch Light Pole Qualifying, and both events can be caught on USA, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio at 4 p.m. ET on Friday, Sept. 20.
NASCAR Cup Series prepares for ‘The Last Great Colosseum’
Consistently named as one of their favorite tracks by the NASCAR Cup Series drivers, Bristol Motor Speedway is a one-of-a-kind place that has produced some great racing over the years.
Looking back, there have been 124 NASCAR Cup Series points-paying races at Bristol Motor Speedway since the first race in 1961, two races each season until 2021-2023 when the track replaced their spring date with the Bristol Motor Speedway Dirt track.
The first NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway was on July 30, 1961. The inaugural pole at Bristol was won by NASCAR Hall of Famer Fred Lorenzen and the race was won by Jack Smith (with relief from Johnny Allen). A total of 42 competitors battled for 500 laps (250 miles) with fans seeing seven lead changes among five leaders. All of the NASCAR Cup Series races at Bristol have been scheduled for 500 laps, except for both races in 1976 and the second in 1977, which were 400 laps each.
Better qualify well at Bristol, it matters
More than half (72 wins, 58.06%) of the NASCAR Cup Series wins at Bristol Motor Speedway have come from starting inside the top-five.
A total of 24 different starting positions have produced at least one NASCAR Cup Series win at Bristol Motor Speedway.
The race winner has started from the pole or first starting position 27 times (21.77%) – the most productive starting position in the field.
A total of 16 different drivers have won from the pole in the NASCAR Cup Series at Bristol Motor Speedway. The most recent driver to win from the pole or first starting position was Brad Keselowski on March 31, 2020.
| Drivers | Wins From Pole or First Starting Position | Seasons |
| Rusty Wallace | 4 | 2000, 1999, 1993, 1991 |
| Cale Yarborough | 4 | 1980, 1977 sweep, 1973 |
| Darrell Waltrip | 3 | 1982, 1981 sweep |
| Carl Edwards | 2 | 2016, 2008 |
| Matt Kenseth | 2 | 2015, 2005 |
| Bobby Allison | 2 | 1972 sweep |
| Brad Keselowski | 1 | 2020 |
| Denny Hamlin | 1 | 2019 |
| Kyle Busch | 1 | 2018 |
| Jeff Gordon | 1 | 2002 |
| Mark Martin | 1 | 1993 |
| Alan Kulwicki | 1 | 1992 |
| Dale Earnhardt | 1 | 1985 |
| David Pearson | 1 | 1971 |
| Richard Petty | 1 | 1967 |
| Fred Lorenzen | 1 | 1963 |
A total of 54 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won the pole at Bristol Motor Speedway, and eight of the 54 Cup Series Bristol pole winners are entered this weekend.
| Active Bristol Pole Winners (8) | Poles | Seasons |
| Denny Hamlin | 4 | 2019, ’15, ’14, ’13 |
| Kyle Busch | 2 | 2018, ’13 |
| Ryan Blaney | 1 | 2024 |
| Christopher Bell | 1 | 2023 |
| Chase Elliott | 1 | 2019 |
| Kyle Larson | 1 | 2018 |
| Erik Jones | 1 | 2017 |
| Joey Logano | 1 | 2010 |
NASCAR Hall of Famers Mark Martin (1989, 1993, 1995 sweep, 1996 sweep, 2001, 2009 sweep) and Cale Yarborough (1969, 1970, 1973 sweep, 1975, 1977 sweep, 1980 sweep) lead the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at Bristol Motor Speedway with nine poles each.
Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in poles at Bristol Motor Speedway with four (2013, 2014, 2015, 2019).
The gladiators of the ‘Last Great Coliseum’ (Bristol)
A total of 44 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won at Bristol Motor Speedway, and 21 of the 44 have won multiple times.
This weekend six of the 44 NASCAR Cup Series Bristol Motor Speedway race winners are entered in the Bass Pro Shops Night Race, and four of the seven are Playoff drivers (Hamlin, Keselowski, Logano and Larson).
| Active Bristol Winners | Wins | Seasons |
| Kyle Busch | 8 | 2019, ’18, ’17, ’11, ’10, ’09 sweep, ’07 |
| Denny Hamlin | 4 | 2024, 2023 2019, ’12 |
| Brad Keselowski | 3 | 2020, ’12, ’11 |
| Joey Logano | 2 | 2015, ’14 |
| Chris Buescher | 1 | 2022 |
| Kyle Larson | 1 | 2021 |
NASCAR Hall of Famer Darrell Waltrip leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins at Bristol Motor Speedway with 12 victories in 52 starts; including a series record of seven straight (1978, 1979, 1981 sweep, 1982 sweep, 1983 sweep, 1984, 1986, 1989, 1992).
Kyle Busch leads all NASCAR Cup Series active drivers in wins at Bristol Motor Speedway with eight victories in 35 starts (spring 2007, 2009 sweep, fall 2010, Spring 2011, fall 2017, spring 2018, spring 2019).
Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin is the most recent winner at Bristol Motor Speedway, taking the checkered flag at .533-mile track the last two visits the NASCAR Cup Series has made there (Fall 2023- Spring 2024). This year, Hamlin will look to defend his win and if he accomplishes the feat, he will become just the fifth different driver to win three or more consecutive Cup Series races at the 0.533-mile track; joining Darrell Waltrip (seven straight wins from 1981-1984), Cale Yarborough (four straight from 1976-1977), Fred Lorenzen (three straight from 1963-1964 sweep) and Kurt Busch (three straight from 2003 sweep-2004 Spring race).
Also worth noting, five drivers (Christopher Bell, Chris Buescher, Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin) finished inside the top-10 in all three races at Bristol in the Next Gen car. But Kyle Larson is the only driver of the five to finish in the top-five in all three.
Rapid Rundown: NASCAR Cup Playoffs’ 16 heading to Bristol
Drivers are listed below by outlook seeding heading into Bristol Motor Speedway – Playoff Race 3 of 10:
Joey Logano (No. 22 Team Penske Ford)
- Heads to Bristol ranked No. 1 in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs outlook with 2,084 points, and a win at Atlanta Motor Speedway to earn a spot in the Round of 12.
- Was eliminated in Playoffs’ first round last season, first to clinch in next round this season.
- This is his 11th postseason appearance and 10th since the elimination-style format was introduced in 2014, and he has advanced to the Round of 12 in all 10 appearances (2024 ’23, ’22, ’21 ’20, ’19, ’18, ’16, ’15, ’14, ’13).
- Has made 28 series starts at Bristol posting two wins (2014, 2015), six top fives and 10 top 10s.
- Finished 22nd at Bristol back in March (2024).
Christopher Bell (No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota)
- Heads to Bristol ranked second in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs outlook with 2,089 points (standings leader).
- Up +46 points on the Round of 12 cutoff.
- This is Bell’s fourth consecutive postseason appearance (2024, ‘23, ‘22, ’21).
- Bell has advanced to the Round of 12 in all three of his previous Playoff appearances.
- Has made six series starts at Bristol amassing two top fives and four top 10s.
- Finished 10th at Bristol back in March (2024).
Austin Cindric (No. 2 Team Penske Ford)
- Heads to Bristol ranked third in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs outlook with 2,086 points.
- Up +43 points on the Round of 12 cutoff.
- This is his second postseason appearance (2024, ‘22).
- Has advanced to the Round of 12 in his only other appearance in the Playoffs.
- Has made three series starts at Bristol posting a best finish of 20th (2022). His average finish is 27.6.
- Finished 31st at Bristol back in March (2024).
Alex Bowman (No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet)
- Heads to Bristol ranked fourth in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs outlook with 2,084 points.
- Up +41 points from the Round of 12 cutoff.
- This is his sixth postseason appearance (2024, ’22, ’21 ’20, ’19, ’18).
- Bowman has advanced to the Round of 12 in all five of his previous Playoff appearances.
- Has made 14 series starts at Bristol posting three top fives and four top 10s.
- Finished fourth at Bristol back in March (2024).
Daniel Suarez (No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet)
- Heads to Bristol ranked fifth in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs outlook with 2,079 points.
- Up +36 points on the Round of 12 cutoff.
- This is his second postseason appearance (2024, ‘22).
- Has advanced to the Round of 12 in his only other appearance in the Playoffs.
- Has made 12 series starts at Bristol posting two top 10s.
- Finished 18th at Bristol back in March (2024).
Tyler Reddick (No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota)
- Heads to Bristol ranked sixth in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs outlook with 2,073 points.
- Up +30 points on the Round of 12 cutoff.
- This is his fourth consecutive postseason appearance (2024, ‘23, ‘22, ’21).
- Reddick has only advanced to the Round of 12 in one of his three previous Playoff appearances (2023).
- Has made six series starts at Bristol putting up just one top-five finish.
- Finished 30th at Bristol back in March (2024).
Chase Elliott (No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet)
- Heads to Bristol ranked seventh in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs outlook with 2,073 points.
- Up +30 points on the Round of 12 cutoff.
- This is his eighth postseason appearance (2024, ’22, ’21 ’20, ’19, ’18, ’17, ’16).
- Elliott has advanced to the Round of 12 in all seven of his previous Playoff appearances.
- Has made 14 series starts at Bristol posting four top fives and eight top 10s.
- Has second best average finish at Bristol among active drivers at 11.643.
- Finished eighth at Bristol back in March (2024).
Ryan Blaney (No. 12 Team Penske Ford)
- Heads to Bristol ranked eighth in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs outlook with 2,072 points.
- Up +29 points on the Round of 12 cutoff.
- This is his eighth consecutive postseason appearance (2024, ‘23, ‘22, ’21 ’20, ’19, ’18, ’17).
- Blaney has advanced to the Round of 12 in six of his seven previous Playoff appearances, the lone exception was 2020.
- Has made 15 series starts at Bristol posting two top fives and five top 10s.
- Finished 16th at Bristol back in March (2024).
Kyle Larson (No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet)
- Heads to Bristol ranked ninth in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs outlook with 2,069 points.
- Entered Playoffs as the No. 1 seed.
- Up +26 points on the Round of 12 cutoff.
- This is his eighth postseason appearance (2024, ‘23, ‘22, ’21, ’19, ’18, ’17, ’16).
- Larson has advanced to the Round of 12 in six of his seven previous Playoff appearances, the lone exception was 2016.
- Has made 16 series starts at Bristol posting one win (2021), six top fives and 11 top 10s.
- Leads all active drivers in average finish at Bristol with a 11.625.
- Finished fifth at Bristol back in March (2024).
William Byron (No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet)
- Heads to Bristol ranked 10th in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs outlook with 2,068 points.
- Up +25 points on the Round of 12 cutoff.
- This is his sixth consecutive postseason appearance (2024, ‘23, ‘22, ’21 ’20, ’19).
- Byron has advanced to the Round of 12 in four of his five previous Playoff appearances, the lone exception was 2020.
- Has made 10 series starts at Bristol posting two top fives and four top 10s.
- Finished 35th at Bristol back in March (2024).
Chase Briscoe (No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford)
- Heads to Bristol ranked 11th in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs outlook with 2,049 points.
- Up +6 points on the Round of 12 cutoff.
- This is his second postseason appearance (2024, ‘22).
- Has advanced to the Round of 12 in his only other appearance in the Playoffs.
- Has made four series starts at Bristol posting a best finish of 13th earlier this season.
- His average finish at Bristol is 16.7.
Ty Gibbs (No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota)
- Heads to Bristol ranked 12th in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs outlook with 2,049 points.
- Up +6 points on the Round of 12 cutoff.
- This is his first postseason appearance (2024).
- Has made three series starts at Bristol posting one top-five and two top-10 finishes.
- Finished ninth at Bristol back in March (2024).
Denny Hamlin (No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota)
- Heads to Bristol ranked 13th in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs outlook with 2,043 points.
- Back -6 points from the Round of 12 cutoff.
- This is his 18th postseason appearance – most all-time (2024, ‘23, ‘22, ’21, ’20, ’19, ’18, ’17, ’16, ’15, ’14, ’12, ’11, ’10, ’09, ’08, ’07, ’06).
- This is his 11th postseason appearance since the elimination-style format was introduced in 2014, and he has advanced to the Round of 12 in all previous 10 appearances in this format.
- Has made 34 series starts at Bristol posting four wins (2012, 2019, 2023, 2024), 11 top fives and 18 top 10s.
- Won at Bristol back in March (2024).
- Looks to become fifth driver all-time to win three or more consecutive Cup Series races at Bristol Motor Speedway; joining Fred Lorenzen, Darrell Waltrip, Cale Yarborough and Kurt Busch.
Brad Keselowski (No. 6 RFK Racing Ford)
- Heads to Bristol ranked 13th in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs outlook with 2,037 points.
- Back -12 points from the Round of 12 cutoff.
- This is his 12th postseason appearance (2024 ’23, ’21 ’20, ’19, ’18, ’17, ’16, ’15, ’14, ’12, ’11).
- This is his 10th postseason appearance since the elimination-style format was introduced in 2014, and he has advanced to the Round of 12 in all nine of his previous appearances in this format.
- Has made 26 series starts at Bristol posting three wins (2011, 2012, 2020), seven top fives and 10 top 10s.
- Finished third at Bristol back in March (2024).
Martin Truex Jr. (No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota)
- Heads to Bristol ranked 15th in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs outlook with 2,035 points.
- Back -14 points from the Round of 12 cutoff.
- This is his 11th postseason appearance (2024, ’23, ’21 ’20, ’19, ’18, ’17, ’16, ’15, ’12, ’07).
- This is his ninth postseason appearance since the elimination-style format was introduced in 2014, and he has advanced to the Round of 12 in all eight previous appearances in this format.
- Has made 34 series starts at Bristol posting three top fives and five top 10s.
- Finished runner-up at Bristol back in March (2024).
Harrison Burton (No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford)
- Heads to Bristol ranked 16th in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs outlook with 2,029 points.
- Back -20 points from the Round of 12 cutoff.
- This is his first postseason appearance (2024).
- Has made three series starts at Bristol posting a best finish of 16th (2022).
- His average finish at Bristol is 25.3.
- Finished 32nd at Bristol back in March (2024).
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