NASCAR Cup Series
Next Race: Bass Pro Shops Night Race
The Place: Bristol Motor Speedway
Track Length: .533 Mile Concrete Oval
The Date: Saturday, September 21
The Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
The Purse: $9,222,417
TV: USA, 7 p.m. ET
Radio: PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR (Channel 90)
Distance: 266.5 miles (500 Laps); Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 125),
Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 250), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 500)

NASCAR Xfinity Series
Next Race: Food City 300
The Place: Bristol Motor Speedway
Track Length: .533 Mile Concrete Oval
The Date: Friday, September 20
The Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
The Purse: $1,680,574
TV: CW, 7 p.m. ET
Radio: PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR (Channel 90)
Distance: 159.9 miles (300 Laps); Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 85),
Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 170), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 300)

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series
Next Race: UNOH 200 presented by Ohio Logistics
The Place: Bristol Motor Speedway
Track Length: .533 Mile Concrete Oval
The Date: Thursday, September 19
The Time: 8 p.m. ET
The Purse: $720,063
TV: FS1, 8 p.m. ET
Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR (Channel 90)
Distance: 106.6 miles (200 Laps); Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 55),
Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 110), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 200)

NASCAR Cup Series

Cup Playoff contenders face Round of 16 elimination race at Bristol 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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).

NASCAR Cup Series, Etc.

Cup Series riding a different winners streak since Chicago – Over the last nine races of the NASCAR Cup Series season, since the Chicago Street Race on July 7, there has been nine different winners leading into this weekend’s Playoff elimination race at Bristol Motor Speedway – Alex Bowman (Chicago), Ryan Blaney (Pocono), Kyle Larson (Indianapolis), Austin Dillon (Richmond), Tyler Reddick (Michigan), Harrison Burton (Daytona), Chase Briscoe (Darlington), Joey Logano (Atlanta) and Chris Buescher (Watkins Glen).

In total, this season has produced 16 different winners, tied with 2002, 2003 and 2011 for the second-most different winners through the first 28 races of a NASCAR Cup Series season in the Modern Era (1972-2024). The record for different winners through the first 28 Cup races of a season is 18 different winners, set in 2022.

Crew Member Spotlight: Bristol Motor Speedway – This weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway we wanted to highlight several of the team’s crew members that are from the surrounding areas of the track in Tennessee.

Milestone Watch: Watkins Glen – Below are the possible milestones that can be achieved this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway or in coming weeks in the NASCAR Cup Series.

Starts

• Brad Keselowski will make his 550th NASCAR Cup Series career start at Bristol Motor Speedway this weekend becoming the 40th different driver to make 550 or more starts in the series.

In Keselowski’s previous 549 starts he has won the 2012 NASCAR Cup Series Championship, has made the Playoffs 12 times (2024 ’23, ’21 ’20, ’19, ’18, ’17, ’16, ’15, ’14, ’12, ’11), has put up 36 wins, 154 top fives, 261 top 10s and 18 poles.

• Bubba Wallace is expected to make his 250th NASCAR Cup Series career start at Talladega Superspeedway.
• William Byron is expected to make his 250th NASCAR Cup Series career start at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Poles

• Kyle Busch currently has 34 NASCAR Cup Series poles, if he were to win another pole, he would tie NASCAR Hall of Famer Ned Jarrett for 21st on the all-time pole winners list with 35 poles each.
• Joey Logano currently has 31 NASCAR Cup Series poles (tied with Kevin Harvick), if he were to win another pole, he would tie NASCAR Hall of Famers Fireball Roberts and Fred Lorenzen for 24th on the all-time pole winners list with 32 poles each.
• Martin Truex Jr. currently has 23 NASCAR Cup Series poles (tied with Ken Schrader and Jack Smith), if he were to win another pole, he would tie NASCAR Hall of Famer Alan Kulwicki for 33rd on the all-time pole winners list with 24 poles each.

Wins

• Denny Hamlin currently has 54 NASCAR Cup Series wins, if he were to win another race, he would tie NASCAR Hall of Famer Rusty Wallace for 11th on the all-time wins list with 55 victories each.
• Brad Keselowski currently has 36 NASCAR Cup Series wins, if he were to win another race, he would tie Bobby Isaac for 23rd on the all-time wins list with 37 victories each.
• Kyle Larson currently has 27 NASCAR Cup Series wins, if he were to win another race, he would tie Carl Edwards and Rex White for 30th on the all-time wins list with 28 victories each.

Track Specific

• Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing are tied for the series-most Bristol poles at 12 each. If either organization wins the pole this weekend, they will become the sole leader in Cup poles at Bristol.
  • Hendrick Motorsports has 12 poles among five drivers: Geoff Bodine (1984, 1986 sweep), Jeff Gordon (2002 sweep, 2003, 2004, 2007), Mark Martin (2009 sweep), Jimmie Johnson (2010) and Chase Elliott (2019).
• • Joe Gibbs Racing has 12 poles among seven drivers: Tony Stewart (1999), Joey Logano (2010), Kyle Busch (2013, 2018), Denny Hamlin (2013, 2014, 2015, 2019), Matt Kenseth (2015), Carl Edwards (2016, sweep), Christopher Bell (2023).
• Joe Gibbs Racing can tie Junior Johnson and Associates for the NASCAR Cup Series most wins at Bristol Motor Speedway this weekend if they were to win.
  • Junior Johnson and Associates leads the series in wins at Bristol Motor Speedway with 16 victories among three drivers: Cale Yarborough (seven wins: 1974, 1976 sweep, 1977 sweep, 1978, 1980), Darrell Waltrip (eight wins: 1981 sweep, 1982 sweep, 1983 sweep, 1984, 1986) and Junior Johnson (1965).
• • Joe Gibbs Racing currently has 15 wins among five drivers – Tony Stewart (2001), Kyle Busch (2009 sweep, 2010, 2011, 2017, 2018, 2019) Denny Hamlin (2012, 2019, 2023, 2024), Matt Kenseth (2013, 2015) and Carl Edwards (2016).

NASCAR Xfinity Series

This Is It: Bristol Motor Speedway to set the Xfinity Series Playoff field

The NASCAR Xfinity Series is gearing up for the final race in the regular season – the Food City 300 – at Bristol Motor Speedway on Friday, September 20 at 7:30 p.m. ET, and for the first time it will be broadcast on The CW alongside PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

There have been 80 NASCAR Xfinity Series races held at Bristol Motor Speedway since the inaugural event in 1982, and this weekend marks the fourth-time (2020-2022, 2024) Bristol has served as the regular season finale since the inception of the Playoffs in the series in 2016.

Bristol Motor Speedway is one of four track to host the regular season finale in the NASCAR Xfinity Series since 2016, alongside Chicagoland Speedway (2016-2017), Las Vegas Motor Speedway (2018-2019) and Kansas Speedway (2023).

Bristol Motor Speedway is a staple in the Xfinity Series

Since 1982, the 80 NASCAR Xfinity Series races held at Bristol Motor Speedway have produced 51 different race winners and almost as many pole winners (50).

Eleven of 80 races have been won from the pole or first starting position, most recently by Kyle Busch in 2017.

Not only is Kyle Busch the most recent victor to win from the pole at Bristol’s 0.533-mile track, but he also holds the records for most series poles (six), wins (nine), top fives (17) and laps led (2,204).

Only three drivers entered in this weekend’s Food City 300 have claimed victory before at Bristol – Justin Allgaier, A.J. Allmendinger and two-time Xfinity Series Champion Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Regular Season Championship on the line

Current NASCAR Xfinity Series driver point standings leader, JR Motorsport’s Justin Allgaier, has just one race left in the regular season to earn the 2024 title and the 15 bonus Playoff points that come with it.

Heading into Bristol, Allgaier holds a 43-point edge over Stewart-Haas Racing’s Cole Custer in second in the standings.

Regular Season Championship Clinch Scenario:

The Regular Season Championship could be clinched by the following drivers:

• Justin Allgaier: Would clinch with 18 points
• Cole Custer: Could only clinch with help

If Allgaier accomplishes the feat and wins this season’s Xfinity Series Regular Season Championship, he will become the second driver since the inception of the title in 2017 to win it twice, joining A.J. Allmendinger (2021, 2022). Allgaier is one of six drivers to win the title and won his first Regular Season Championship in 2018.

Time Is Now: Xfinity Series Playoff outlook following Watkins Glen

With only one race left to earn a spot in the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs, fans can expect some action-packed racing this Friday in the Food City 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway as the 12-driver Playoff field will be finalized.

To this point, 10 of the 12 Playoff spots have been claimed – Austin Hill, Shane van Gisbergen, Justin Allgaier, Chandler Smith, Sam Mayer, Cole Custer, Jesse Love, and Riley Herbst are in on their respective wins while AJ Allmendinger and Sheldon Creed clinched their spot on points.

Currently occupying up the final two open Playoff spots are Parker Kligerman (+85 points above the cutline) and Sammy Smith (+43 points).

Just outside the cutline, fighting for their spot, are Ryan Sieg (-43 points back from the cutline) and Brandon Jones (-148 points). Sieg can still mathematically point his way into the postseason (would need help), but Jones and drivers ranked below him in the standings outlook are in a must-win situation this weekend.

Regular Season Finale Clinch Scenarios: Bristol Motor Speedway

One last chance to make the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs, and here are the clinch scenarios facing the competitors heading into this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Already Clinched

The following 10 drivers have clinched a spot in the 12-driver postseason field: Justin Allgaier, Cole Custer, Chandler Smith, Austin Hill, AJ Allmendinger, Sheldon Creed, Jesse Love, Riley Herbst, Shane Van Gisbergen, Sam Mayer.

Can Clinch Via Points

If there is a repeat winner or a win by a driver who cannot advance to the Playoffs, the following drivers could clinch by being ahead of the 5th winless driver in the standings.  The same point requirements listed below would hold true if a new win comes from among AJ Allmendinger, Sheldon Creed or Parker Kligerman.

• Parker Kligerman: Would clinch regardless of finish
• Sammy Smith: Would clinch with 13 points
• Ryan Sieg: Could only clinch with help

The following drivers could clinch on points with a win by Sammy Smith:

• Parker Kligerman: Would clinch regardless of finish

If there is a new winner from Ryan Sieg or another winless driver lower in the standings but still eligible to advance to the Playoffs, the following drivers could clinch by being ahead of the 4th winless driver in the standings.

• Parker Kligerman: Would clinch with 14 points
• Sammy Smith: Could only clinch with help

Can Clinch Via Win

The following drivers would clinch on their win alone:

• Parker Kligerman, Sammy Smith, Ryan Sieg, Brandon Jones, Anthony Alfredo, Brennan Poole, Josh Williams, Parker Retzlaff, Leland Honeyman, Jeb Burton, Jeremy Clements, Ryan Ellis, Kyle Weatherman, Blaine Perkins

The Last Great Coliseum’s Xfinity Series conquerors

Only three drivers entered this weekend in the Food City 300 have hoisted the race winning trophy in Victory Lane, two are vying to make the Playoffs – Justin Allgaier and AJ Allmendinger – and the third is potentially making his final career start in the series – Dale Earnhardt Jr.

JR Motorsport’s Justin Allgaier’s wins at the Tennessee track came last season when Bristol served as the first race in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs. He also won in 2010. In his 23 starts at Bristol, Allgaier has posted two wins (2010, 2023), 11 top fives, 15 top 10s and has led 1,114 laps – 853 laps more than the next highest driver entered this weekend, Earnhardt Jr. with 261.

Kaulig Racing’s A.J. Allmendinger, who has clinched his spot in the 2024 Xfinity Playoffs on points, won at Bristol in 2021. Allmendinger has made three starts at Bristol posting one win (2021), one top five and three top 10s. He also leads all active drivers with more than one start at Bristol in average finish with a 5.6.

JR Motorsport’s owner/driver and NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. has made 13 Xfinity Series starts at Bristol posting one win (2004), seven top fives and nine top 10s.

Xfinity Series drivers will have a packed Friday as they head to hit the grid at 2 p.m. ET for practice, followed by qualifying at 2:40 p.m. ET on the USA Network and streamed on the NBC Sports App.

It’s Bristol, baby! Pressure builds for the regular season finale

For those drivers who are dancing on the cutline as the NASCAR Xfinity Series heads to the regular season finale, Bristol will be a make-or-break situation. Let’s take a look at how they have performed at the 0.533-mile track.

Parker Kligerman, driver of the No. 48 Big Machine Racing Chevrolet, has made five starts at the track, posting three top-five finishes.

Sammy Smith, driver of the No. 8 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports, has made two starts at Bristol, posting a 14th-place and ninth-place finish, respectively.

Ryan Sieg (driver of the No. 39 RSS Racing Ford), who is the first driver outside the cutline, has made 17 starts at Bristol, posting two top 10 finishes (both of which were in the last two years).

NASCAR Xfinity Series, Etc.

Xfinity Series riding a different winners streak since Nashville – Over the last nine races of the NASCAR Xfinity Series season, since the Nashville Superspeedway race on June 29, there has been nine different winners leading into this weekend’s regular season finale at Bristol Motor Speedway – John H. Nemechek (Nashville), Shane Van Gisbergen (Chicago), Cole Custer (Pocono), Riley Herbst (Indianapolis), Justin Allgaier (Michigan), Ryan Truex (Daytona), Christopher Bell (Darlington), Austin Hill (Atlanta) and Connor Zilisch (Watkins Glen).

In total, this season has produced 15 different winners, tied with 1991, 2002 and 2014 for the third-most different winners through the first 25 races of a NASCAR Xfinity Series season all-time (1982-2024). The series record for different winners through the first 25 Xfinity races of a season is 17, set in 1988 and 1994.

Sunoco Rookie of the Year Update – As this year’s NASCAR Xfinity Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year class comes to the conclusion of their first full regular season, let’s take a look at how they’re shaping-up to this point.

Richard Childress Racing’s Jesse Love, who is locked into the Playoffs, leads the pack with 726 points.

Not far behind is Kaulig Racing’s Shane van Gisbergen with 606 points (also locked into the Playoffs).

Sliding into third is Young’s Motorsports’ Leland Honeyman Jr with 385 points and rounding out the competition is Hailie Deegan with 174 points.

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series

CRAFTSMAN Truck Playoffs Round of 10 returns to action at ‘The Last Great Colosseum’

For the second time this season, the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series will return to Bristol Motor Speedway, but this time, it will be for the UNOH 200 presented by Ohio Logistics on Thursday, September 19 at 8 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio – the second race of the Playoffs’ Round of 10.

To date, the 0.533-mile track has hosted 27 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series races, producing 22 different winners and 19 different pole winners.

The winningest driver in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, Kyle Busch, holds the most wins at the ‘Holy Grail of Short Tracks’ with five victories at Bristol (2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2017).

Eight races have been won from the pole, most recently by Christian Eckes earlier this season.

Three CRAFTSMAN Truck Series veterans have stamped their names in the Bristol Motor Speedway record books. Here’s a closer look:

• Race record: Brad Keselowski 91.919 mph (08/21/2014)
• Qualifying record: Kyle Busch 129.413 mph (08/16/2017)
• Most races: Matt Crafton (2)
• Most poles: Kyle Busch (4)
• Most wins: Kyle Busch (5)
• Most top fives: Kyle Busch (8)
• Most top 10s: Matt Crafton (15)
• Laps led: Kyle Busch (649)

In total, this season will be the sixth-time Bristol Motor Speedway has hosted a NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoff Race (2019-2024).

Bristol Motor Speedway has occupied four different spots on the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoff schedule since joining in 2019 – from 2019-2020 it was scheduled as the first race of the Playoffs, it moved to the elimination race (third race) of the Playoffs in 2021, then served as the fourth race in the Playoffs from 2022-2023. This season is the first-time Bristol has hosted the second race in the Truck Playoffs.

Of Bristol Motor Speedway’s five previous Truck Series Playoff races, there have been five different winners: Johnny Sauter (2019), Sam Mayer (2020), Chandler Smith (2021), Ty Majeski (2022) and Corey Heim (2023).

None of the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Bristol Playoff race winners have gone on to win the title in the same season.

Practice for the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series at Bristol Motor Speedway kicks off at 3 p.m. EST on Thursday, September 19, followed by Cometic Gasket Pole Qualifying at 3:35 p.m. ET (FS2).

Playoffs Contender’s Career Performances at Bristol Motor Speedway

Just two races are left to decide who will survive and advance to the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Round of 8. A win at Bristol this weekend by a Playoff contender would guarantee their spot in the next round.

Here’s a look at how the 10 CRAFTSMAN Truck Playoff drivers have performed at Thunder Valley previously.

Christian Eckes, Ty Majeski, and Corey Heim are the only previous winners entered this weekend.

Playoff Crunch Time: Rhodes, Caruth facing elimination

ThorSport Racing veteran Ben Rhodes and Spire Motorsports’ Rajah Caruth find themselves below the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Round of 8 cutline as the series heads to Bristol Motor Speedway.

Two-time NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Champion Ben Rhodes managed to finish ninth at the Milwaukee Mile and left the 1.015-mile paved oval just two points back from the Round of 8 cutline. The 2024 season is the 26-year old’s seventh Playoff appearance.

Unlike the vast Playoff experience Rhodes has, Rajah Caruth is in his first appearance in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoffs. It’s been 14 races since Caruth’s first (and last) visit to Victory Lane (Las Vegas) but the Washington, D.C. native knows how to race his way into the top 10 – he’s recorded eight top-10 finishes so far this season, the most in his CRAFTSMAN Truck Series career.

The driver of the No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet had a decent day at the Milwaukee Mile, finishing 18th, but is now twenty points back from the Round of 8 cutline and the final transfer position.

Currently, CR7 Motorsports’ Grant Enfinger is in the eighth and final position to transfer to the next round in the Playoffs on points. Just ahead of Enfinger in seventh is McAnally-Hilgemann driver Daniel Dye, up nine points on the Round of 8 cutline.

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoff Outlook Following Milwaukee Mile (August 25, 2024)

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks Playoffs’ 10 Contenders

Drivers are listed below by seeding heading into Bristol Motor Speedway – Playoff Race 2 of 7:

Christian Eckes (No. 19 McAnally-Hilgemann Chevrolet)

• Heads to Bristol as the points leader in the 2024 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoff standings with 2,090 points.
• Up +60 points on the Round of 8 cutoff.
• This is his fourth postseason appearance (2024, ‘23, ‘22, ’20).
• Has made four series starts at Bristol posting one win (2024), two top fives and three top 10s.

Ty Majeski (No. 98 ThorSport Racing Ford)

• Heads to Bristol ranked second in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoffs standings with 2,074 points.
• Up +44 points on the Round of 8 cutoff.
• This is his third consecutive postseason appearance (2024, ‘23, ‘22).
• Has made three series starts at Bristol posting one win, one top five and one top 10.

Corey Heim (No. 11 TRICON Garage Toyota)

• Heads to Bristol ranked third in the 2024 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoffs standings with 2,071 points.
• Up +41 points on the Round of 8 cutoff.
• This is his second consecutive postseason appearance (2024, ‘23).
• Has made three series starts at Bristol posting one win, one top five, and three top 10s.

Nick Sanchez (No. 2 Rev Racing Chevrolet)

• Heads to Bristol ranked fourth in the 2024 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoffs standings with 2,064 points.
• Up +34 points on the Round of 8 cutoff.
• This is his second consecutive postseason appearance (2024, ‘23).
• Has made three series starts at Bristol posting one top 10.

Taylor Gray (No. 17 TRICON Garage Toyota)

• Heads to Bristol ranked fifth in the 2024 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoff with 2,043 points.
• Up +13 points on the Round of 8 cutoff.
• This is his first postseason appearance (2024).
• Has made four series starts at Bristol posting one top five and two top 10s.

Tyler Ankrum (No. 18 McAnally-Hilgeman Chevrolet)

• Heads to Bristol ranked sixth in the 2024 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoffs standings with 2,043 points.
• Up +13 points on the Round of 8 cutoff.
• This is his third postseason appearance (2024, ’20, ‘19).
• Has made four series starts at Bristol posting one top five and two top 10s.

Daniel Dye (No. 43 McAnally-Hilgeman Chevrolet)

• Heads to Bristol ranked seventh in the 2024 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoffs standings with 2,039 points.
• Up +9 points on the Round of 8 cutoff.
• This is his first postseason appearance (2024).
• Has made two series starts at Bristol posting a best finish of 13th earlier this season.

Grant Enfinger (No. 9 CR7 Motorsports Chevrolet)

• Heads to Bristol ranked eighth in the 2024 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoffs standings with 2,032 points.
• Up +2 points from the Round of 8 cutoff.
• This is his sixth postseason appearance (2024, ’23, ’22, ’20, ’19, ‘18).
• Has made eight series starts at Bristol posting five top fives and eight top 10s.

Ben Rhodes (No. 99 ThorSport Racing Ford)

• Heads to Bristol ranked ninth in the 2024 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoffs standings with 2,030 points.
• Back -2 points from the Round of 8 cutoff.
• This is his seventh postseason appearance (2024, ’23, ’22, ’21, ’20, ’18, ‘17). Two-time series champion.
• Has made 10 series starts at Bristol posting one top five and six top 10s.

Rajah Caruth (No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet)

• Heads to Bristol ranked 10th in the 2024 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoffs standings with 2,028 points.
• Back -4 points from the Round of 8 cutoff.
• This is his first postseason appearance (2024).
• Has made three series starts at Bristol posting two top 10s.

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, Etc.

McAnally-Hilgemann Racing with championship hopes high – With all three full-time drivers fighting their way into the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoffs, McAnally-Hilgemann Racing has the best shot they’ve ever had to finally hoist their first national series championship. The 2023 season was the first time the team had made a postseason appearance.

In total, the team has won 12 regional series championships:

• NASCAR Whelen All American Series: 1 (1990)
• ARCA Menards Series West: 11 (1999-2001, 2008, 2010, 2015-2017, 2019, and 2020-2021)

As the series prepares to head to Bristol next weekend, McAnally-Hilgemann Racing’s Christian Eckes remains the championship favorite and leads the field in the Playoff standings.

A few weeks ago, the 23-year-old became the eighth different driver to win the regular season title: joining Christopher Bell (2017), Johnny Sauter (2018), Grant Enfinger (2019), Austin Hill (2020), John H. Nemechek (2021), Zane Smith (2022) and Corey Heim (2023).

The driver of the No. 19 Chevrolet has led the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series point standings following 10 of the 17 races this season – series-most in 2024.

“Based off of last year, I feel like it is championship or bust,” Eckes said. “And I feel like everything we’ve done this year in preparation has kind of led towards that being the mentality. So, I definitely feel like we’re capable of that. And that’s what we’re going to go try to achieve.”

“I’ve choked in the Round of 8 the last two years. So yeah, just execution is our biggest thing to work on. I feel like we’ve done a better job of being consistent and executing this year. So, I feel like, we’re more than capable, we just got to do it.”

Corey Day seals four race deal with McAnally-Hilgemann Racing – High Limit Racing standout Corey Day will make his NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series debut behind the wheel of the No. 81 McAnally-Hilgemann Racing Chevrolet at Bristol Motor Speedway this weekend.

Day will also make three additional starts at Kansas Speedway, Homestead-Miami Speedway, and Martinsville Speedway. He will pilot the No. 91 McAnally-Hilgemann Racing Chevrolet at Kansas and Homestead-Miami.

The Clovis, California native has emerged as one of the elite talents in winged sprint car competition and is quickly capturing some of the sport’s most prestigious prizes. The 18-year-old recently notched his biggest career victory in the $100,000-to-win Trophy Cup at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, California in the High Limit Racing Sprint Car Series. He has seven wins in 46 races with High Limit Racing thus far in 2024 and is currently fifth in the series’ standings. Day has already recorded numerous accolades on his resume including a Chili Bowl prelim feature win, becoming the youngest USAC National Midget feature winner, and a World of Outlaws victory.

“I’m excited to make my start in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series,” Day said. “I haven’t made many non-dirt racing starts but I’m ready to begin learning more about this type of racing. I know I will face some challenges, but I feel confident in my ability to learn, and I know that I have great support behind me with HendrickCars.com and McAnally-Hilgemann Racing.”

— NASCAR —