Frankie Muniz explains why the NASCAR playoffs benefited the sport as a whole
Actor Frankie Muniz has dedicated the last few years of his life to a career in auto racing and explains why he loves NASCAR’s current playoff former.
Sports Seriously, USA TODAY
It’s elimination night at Bristol Motor Speedway. Four drivers are eliminated from championship contention after the Bass Pro Shops Night Race – the final race of the first round of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.
Sixteen drivers qualified for the playoffs with the hope of winning the 2024 championship. However, by the end of Saturday night, that number will be reduced to twelve as the four drivers with the lowest finishes in the playoff rankings will be eliminated.
One driver who has no fear of elimination on Saturday night is Joey Logano, who secured an automatic spot in the second round by winning the opening race of the playoffs at Atlanta Motor Speedway two weeks ago. Non-playoff driver Chris Buescher kept the other 15 title contenders away from victory lane with a win at Watkins Glen International last weekend.
Bristol could provide a big relief for Denny Hamlin, who has endured a tough playoff run so far. Hamlin, who won at Bristol in March and took the checkered flag at last year’s Bristol Night Race, is currently 13th, six points off the cutline to advance. However, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver should bring plenty of confidence to the Tennessee short-track course, having won the night race three times in his career.
Who will be celebrating in victory lane this Saturday night and who will see their championship dreams dashed? Here’s everything you need to know to prepare for the Bass Pro Shops Night Race:
When does the NASCAR playoff race in Bristol start?
The Bass Pro Shops Night Race begins at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee.
Which TV channel will broadcast the NASCAR playoff race in Bristol?
USA Network will broadcast the Bass Pro Shops Night Race and offer pre-race coverage starting at 7:00 p.m. ET.
Will there be a live stream of the NASCAR playoff race in Bristol?
The Bass Pro Shops Night Race can be streamed live on the NBC Sports website and NBC Sports app. The race can also be streamed on Fubo.
How many laps does the NASCAR playoff race in Bristol last?
The Bass Pro Shops Night Race consists of 500 laps on the 0.533 mile track for a total of 266.5 miles. The race consists of three legs (laps per leg) – Leg 1: 125 laps; Leg 2: 125 laps; Leg 3: 250 laps.
Who won the last NASCAR Cup races in Bristol?
Hamlin started third and led 163 laps, including the final 17, before defeating teammate Martin Truex Jr. by 1.083 seconds on March 17, 2024.
And a year ago, Hamlin started second and led 142 laps, including the final 135, before pulling away from Kyle Larson in the race for the playoff spot on September 16, 2023.
What does the driver standings look like before the NASCAR playoff race in Bristol?
X-secured a place in the second round. Two playoff races will eliminate the last four drivers after the Bass Pro Shops Night Race.
- Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing…2,089
- Austin Cindric, Team Penske…2,086
- X-Joey Logano, Team Penske…2,084
- Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports…2,084
- Daniel Suarez, Trackhouse Racing… 2,079
- Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing…2,073
- Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports…2,073
- Ryan Blaney, Team Penske…2,072
- Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports…2,069
- William Bryon, Hendrick Motorsports…2,068
- Chase Briscoe, Stewart-Haas Racing…2,049
- Ty Gibbs, Joe Gibbs Racing…2,049
- Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing…2,043
- Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing…2,037
- Martin Truex Jr., Joe Gibbs Racing…2,035
- Harrison Burton, Wood Brothers Racing…2,029
What is the lineup for the Bass Pro Shops Night Race in Bristol?
Car number in brackets; (P)=Playoff driver
1. (48) Alex Bowman (P), Chevrolet
2. (5) Kyle Larson (P), Chevrolet
3. (24) William Byron (P), Chevrolet
4. (19) Martin Truex Jr. (P), Toyota
5. (14) Chase Briscoe (P), Ford
6. (20) Christopher Bell (P), Toyota
7. (77) Carson Hocevar, Chevrolet
8. (11) Denny Hamlin (P), Toyota
9. (7) Corey LaJoie, Chevrolet
10. (9) Chase Elliott (P), Chevrolet
11. (23) Bubba Wallace, Toyota
12. (1) Ross Chastain, Chevrolet
13. (54) Ty Gibbs (P), Toyota
14. (41) Ryan Preece, Ford
15. (45) Tyler Reddick (P), Toyota
16. (10) Noah Gragson, Ford
17. (17) Chris Buescher, Ford
18. (34) Michael McDowell, Ford
19. (16) AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet
20. (22) Joey Logano (P), Ford
21. (31) Daniel Hemric, Chevrolet
22. (12) Ryan Blaney (P), Ford
23. (6) Brad Keselowski (P), Ford
24. (38) Todd Gilliland, Ford
25. (4) Josh Berry, Ford
26. (51) Justin Haley, Ford
27. (2) Austin Cindric (P), Ford
28. (42) John Hunter Nemechek, Toyota
29. (8) Kyle Busch, Chevrolet
30. (3) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet
31. (47) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Chevrolet
32. (43) Erik Jones, Toyota
33. (71) Zane Smith, Chevrolet
34. (21) Harrison Burton (P), Ford
35. (99) Daniel Suarez (P), Chevrolet
36. (15) Kaz Grala, Ford
37. (66) Josh Bilicki, Ford
We occasionally recommend products and services of interest. If you make a purchase through one of the links, we may receive an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this does not influence our reporting.