Why Alex Bowman Could Shock The World! | Analyzing Larson, Hamlin, Logano & More Ahead of Bristol

Bristol under the lights, elimination night, and the stakes could not be higher. Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin enter as the clear-cut favorites, but a new Goodyear tire and the unpredictability of the half-mile coliseum mean nothing is guaranteed. Add in playoff pressure, bubble battles, and a few desperate long shots, and this race has the makings of a classic.

• Will Larson’s incredible Bristol streak continue, or can Hamlin repeat his tire-management mastery?
• Could a fired-up Christopher Bell finally close the deal at one of his best tracks?
• Which bubble drivers — Logano, Chastain, Cindric, or Austin Dillon — are most at risk of elimination?
• Can Alex Bowman, with a pit crew swap and back-to-back poles at Bristol, pull off the shocker of the season?

And then there are the wild cards. Chris Buescher, Ty Gibbs, and even Carson Hocevar are all lurking with the potential to steal headlines. If the new tire wears out and strategy comes into play, this race could flip upside down in the final 50 laps. Bristol doesn’t need extra drama, but this weekend it has it all — playoff eliminations, tire unknowns, and redemption arcs. Saturday night could deliver chaos, heartbreak, and the kind of finish that fans will replay for years. Who survives and who gets sent home?

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