It seems fitting that one of the most exciting races in the world NASCAR Schedule also hosts the first playoff race of the 2023 Cup Series playoffs.
Bristol Motor Speedway will feature high-energy short track racing under the lights of the “Last Great Colosseum” Saturday evening. And when it’s over, one driver will celebrate in victory lane, four drivers will be eliminated from the playoffs and 12 will feel the joy and relief of advancing to the second round – well, make it 10, since Kyle Larson And Tyler Reddick already clinched spots with wins at Darlington and Kansas, respectively.
For drivers currently below the cut line, including regular season champion Martin Truex Jr., the Bristol Night Race is not a “must-see,” but these four drivers will need to have a strong finish and good points night and I hope some of their playoff competitors falter.
Here’s all the information you need to prepare for Saturday’s Bass Pro Shops Night Race:
What time does the Cup race start at Bristol?
The Bass Pro Shops Night Race begins at 6:30 p.m. ET at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee.
What TV channel is the Cup race in Bristol on?
USA Network is broadcasting the Bass Pro Shops Night Race and has a pre-race show starting at 6 p.m. ET, while USA and Peacock will have a post-race show at 11 p.m. ET.
Will there be a live broadcast of the Cup race at Bristol?
The Bass Pro Shops Night Race can be streamed live on the NBC Sports website and the NBC Sports app.
NASCAR Playoffs UPDATE: Where are the drivers after two races
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What is the playoff standings in Bristol?
(*-former champion; X-secured a place in the second round):
- X-Kyle Larson*Hendrick Motorsports — 2,117 points
- X-Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing – 2,111 points
- Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing — 2,105 points
- William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports — 2,097 points
- Brad Keselowski*RFK Racing — 2,089 points
- Ryan Blaney, Team Penske — 2,081 points
- Kyle Busch*Richard Childress Racing — 2,080 points
- Ross Chastain, Trackhouse Racing – 2,074 points
- Chris Buescher, RFK Racing – 2,069 points
- Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing — 2,069 points
- Joey Logano*Team Penske — 2,068 points
- Kevin Harvick*Stewart-Haas Racing — 2,063 points
- Martin Truex Jr.*Joe Gibbs Racing — 2,056 points
- Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing – 2,044 points
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr., JTG Daugherty Racing — 2,041 points
- Michael McDowell, Front Row Motorsports – 2,023 points
REPORTING SCENARIOS: How many points each driver needs at Bristol to secure a place in the second round
How many laps is the Cup race at Bristol?
The Bass Pro Shops Night Race has 500 laps around the 0.533-mile oval for a total of 266.5 miles. The race will consist of three segments (laps per stage): stage 1: 125 laps; Step 2: 125 rounds; Step 3: 250 rounds.
Who won the last night race at Bristol?
Chris Buescher – a non-playoff driver last season – dominated, leading 169 laps, including the final 61, before edging Chase Elliott by 0.458 seconds on September 17, 2022.
What is the schedule for the Bass Pro Shops Night Race?
(Car number in parentheses; P-playoff driver)
1. (20) Christopher Bell (P), Toyota
2. (11) Denny Hamlin (P), Toyota
3. (24) William Byron (P), Chevrolet
4. (34) Michael McDowell (P), Ford
5. (19) Martin Truex Jr. (P), Toyota
6. (6) Brad Keselowski (P), Ford
7. (9) Chase Elliott, Chevrolet
8. (54) Ty Gibbs, Toyota
9. (23) Bubba Wallace (P), Toyota
10. (7) Corey LaJoie, Chevrolet
11. (12) Ryan Blaney (P), Ford
12. (45) Tyler Reddick (P), Toyota
13. (48) Alex Bowman, Chevrolet
14. (14) Chase Briscoe, Ford
15. (8) Kyle Busch (P), Chevrolet
16. (42) Carson Hocevar, Chevrolet
17. (41) Ryan Preece, Ford
18. (3) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet
19. (31) Justin Haley, Chevrolet
20. (17) Chris Buescher (P), Ford
21. (4) Kevin Harvick (P), Ford
22. (16) A.J. Allmendinger, Chevrolet
23. (1) Ross Chastain (P), Chevrolet
24. (99) Daniel Suarez, Chevrolet
25. (47) Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (P), Chevrolet
26. (10) Aric Almirola, Ford
27. (51) Ryan Newman, Ford
28. (22) Joey Logano (P), Ford
29. (2) Austin Cindric, Ford
30. (38) Todd Gilliland, Ford
31. (43) Erik Jones, Chevrolet
32. (21) Harrison Burton, Ford
33. (77) Ty Dillon, Chevrolet
34. (78) B.J. McLeod, Chevrolet
35. (15) J. J. Yeley, Ford
36. (5) Kyle Larson (P), Chevrolet
