What’s Happening?

All three NASCAR National Series are at the same track for the first time in almost a month as they head for a nighttime tripleheader at Bristol Motor Speedway.

• Bristol Motor Speedway is perhaps NASCAR’s most infamous short track, known for its events in both auto racing and sports. Just a few weeks ago, the iconic 0.533-mile track hosted its first baseball game, adding to its long legacy of odd events.
• The NASCAR Cup Series first raced at BMS in 1961 and has done so every year since. The Xfinity Series followed in 1982, with the Craftsman Truck Series bringing up the rear in 1995, leaving after 1999, and starting their current stint at BMS in 2003.   
• Darrell Waltrip leads all NASCAR Cup Series drivers with 12 wins at Bristol, the most wins among active drivers belong to RCR’s Kyle Busch, who won nine races (one on dirt) from 2007 to 2023. In total, Busch has 23 wins at Bristol across the three NASCAR National Series.

Weekend TV Schedule (All Times EST)*

Thursday, September 11: Truck Series Practice and Qualifying | Truck Series Race

• 3:05 PM – 4:00 PM — Truck Series Practice on FS2
• 4:10 PM – 5:00 PM — Truck Series Qualifying on FS2
• 8:00 PM – Truck Series UNOH 200 presented by Ohio Logistics on FS1 [TV] & NRN [Radio]

Friday, September 12: Xfinity Series Practice and Qualifying | Cup Series Practice and Qualifying | Xfinity Series Race

• 2:00 PM – 2:55 PM — Xfinity Series Practice on the CW App
• 3:05 PM – 4:00 PM — Xfinity Series Qualifying on the CW App
• 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM — Cup Series Practice on TruTV and HBO Max
• 5:40 PM – 6:30 PM — Cup Series Qualifying on TruTV and HBO Max
• 7:30 PM – Xfinity Series Food City 300 on the CW [TV] & PRN [Radio]

Saturday, September 13: Cup Series Race

• 7:30 PM — Cup Series Bass Pro Shops Night Race on USA [TV] & PRN [Radio]

Race Facts: Bristol Motor Speedway

Track Facts: Bristol Motor Speedway

• Year Opened: 1961
• Length: 0.533 Miles
• Degrees: 24 degrees
• Surface: Concrete
• Rain Tires: Yes
• Lights: Yes

UNOH 200 presented by Ohio Logistics on FS1:

• Race Length: 250 Laps (133.25 Miles)
• Stages: 65 Lap Stage One, 65 Lap Stage Two, 120 Lap Final Stage
• Most Recent Race Winner: Layne Riggs

Food City 300 on The CW:

• Race Length: 300 Laps (159.9 Miles)
• Stages: 85 Lap Stage One, 85 Lap Stage Two, 130 Lap Final Stage
• Most Recent Race Winner: Cole Custer

Bass Pro Shops Night Race on USA:

• Race Length: 500 Laps (266.5 Miles)
• Stages: 125 Lap Stage One, 125 Lap Stage Two, 125 Lap Final Stage

2024 Bass Pro Shops Night Race Results:

• First: Kyle Larson — No. 5
• Second: Chase Elliott — No. 9
• Third: Bubba Wallace — No. 23
• Fourth: Denny Hamlin — No. 11
• Fifth: Christopher Bell — No. 20

Top Storylines of the Weekend

• This weekend, NASCAR and Goodyear are bringing a softer tire to Bristol in an attempt to improve the racing. Since the introduction of the Generation Seven car in 2022, drivers have struggled to pass on short tracks, and, as NASCAR’s most well-known short track, Bristol is the poster boy for this issue. Over the last two races at Bristol, Kyle Larson has led 873 of 1000 laps, but is his streak over with this new tire?
• It’s the first round of the NASCAR Xfinity Series playoffs, and Connor Zillisch leads the pack after scoring nine wins and 64 playoff points in the regular season. On the other end, winless drivers Carson Kvapil, Harrison Burton, Sheldon Creed, and Taylor Gray will try to survive round one, though a trip to victory lane will be crucial to a successful run. A-usual championship contender, Austin Hill, is also starting the playoffs in last place after forfeiting all playoff points following a July suspension.
• For the NASCAR Cup Series the field of 16 playoff drivers will face their first cut this weekend. Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe are locked into the second round, while Kyle Larson and Bubba Wallace look comfortable to advance. Surprisingly, Shane van Gisbergen, with his 22 playoff points, is currently out of the next round alongside Hendrick Motorsports’ Alex Bowman after a miserable start to the playoffs.

Entry Lists

Cup Series

Notable and Open Entries:

• #4 – Noah Gragson
• #23 – Bubba Wallace
• #33 – Austin Hill (i)
• #34 – Todd Gilliland
• #35 – Riley Herbst
• #38 – Zane Smith
• #45 – Tyler Reddick
• #66 – Chad Finchum
• #67 – Corey Heim

Xfinity Series

Notable Entries:

• #5 – Stefan Parsons
• #07 – Carson Ware
• #11 – Brendan Queen
• #24 – Jeffery Earnhardt
• #32 – Austin Green
• #35 – Glen Reen

Truck Series

Notable Entries:

• 1 – Brent Crews
• 02 – Treyten Lapcevich (i)
• 6 – Norm Benning
• 7 – Corey Day
• 20 – Stefan Parsons
• 33 – Mason Maggio (i)
• 35 – Greg Van Alst
• 41 – Conner Jones
• 62 – Cole Butcher
• 75 – Parker Kligerman
• 95 – Clay Greenfield

Note: This article will be updated as more information about the weekend comes out.