Sep 11, 2025 10:12 AM EDT
The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series heads to Bristol Motor Speedway for the Bass Pro Shops Night Race on Saturday, September 13, at 7:30 p.m. ET/ 4:30 PT.
This crucial race will be the first elimination race in the Round of 16 of the NASCAR Playoffs, where four drivers will be cut from championship contention.
Venue: Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, Tennessee
Distance: 500 laps (266.5 miles)
Format: 500-lap race on a 0.533-mile concrete oval
Broadcast: USA Network, HBO Max, PRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, NBC Sports App
Key Tire Change This Week
Goodyear is bringing a new, softer right-side tire compound to the track this week to increase tire wear and add strategy to the race. This should impact pit stops and tire management all night.
Driver Spotlight
Kyle larson , Bristol
BRISTOL, TENNESSEE – APRIL 13: Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, crosses the finish line to win the NASCAR Cup Series Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway on April 13, 2025 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Kyle Larson
Larson is the king of Bristol, winning the last two Cup Series races here and the last one in April 2025, where he led 411 of 500 laps. Bristol is his track and he’s been on for recently, so he’s definitely the favourite for the race.
Denny Hamlin
Hamlin has four Cup Series wins at Bristol and is second in the Playoff standings. He won his 59th career race at World Wide Technology Raceway, making it his 5th of the season. He’s been consistent so he’s a strong contender to win his 60th race at Bristol.
Related: Denny Hamlin Reveals Retirement Countdown After Getaway Win
Chase Briscoe
Briscoe leads the Playoff standings and is strong on short tracks, so he’s a driver to watch in this elimination race.
Austin Dillon
Dillon comes in with momentum after getting stage points last week. 18th place at Gateway was good for him, keeping him within striking distance of advancing to the next round.
Alex Bowman
Bowman is 15th in the standings and 35 points below the cutoff line. He’s overhauled his pit crew to try and get better. This is a big move for the team and shows their commitment to try and make the next round.
Team Insights: Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR)
JGR has a lot of history at Bristol with 15 Cup Series wins there. Denny Hamlin and Ty Gibbs are the drivers to watch as they have been fast in the past.
Team Chevrolet
Chevy drivers have been dominant at Bristol and Kyle Larson has led the most laps in the last two races. They will look to continue their strong performance at this short track.
Race Outlook at Bristol
The Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol is going to be wild and unpredictable. With a new tire compound, pit strategy will be key this weekend. Drivers like Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe will be fast but Bristol is always a surprising track.
This is the first elimination race of the playoffs this season, so this one will have a huge impact on the championship. Fans are guaranteed to see intense racing and strategic battles as drivers try to make it to the next round.
Bristol Weekend Schedule: Qualifying and Races
Thursday starts things off with NCTS practice and Kennametal Pole Qualifying, plus the ARCA Bush’s Beans 200 and NCTS UNOH 250. You can watch it all on FS2, FS1, NRN, or SiriusXM.
Friday keeps the party going with NXS practice and pole qualifying, NCS practice, and Busch Light Pole Qualifying, and the NXS Food City 300. Watch on The CW, PRN, or SiriusXM.
Saturday is the big one: the Bass Pro Shops Night Race for the Cup Series. Start time is at 7:30 p.m. ET on FS1, PRN, or SiriusXM.
Cup Series Playoff Standings (Round of 16)
Chase Briscoe +43
Denny Hamlin +43
Kyle Larson +41
William Byron +38
Ross Chastain +35
Ryan Blaney +32
Joey Logano +29
Bubba Wallace +26
Tyler Reddick +23
Christopher Bell +20
Erik Jones +17
Austin Dillon +14
Alex Bowman -35
Shane van Gisbergen -38
Chandler Smith -41
Noah Gragson -44
About the author
Motorsports Writer, Athlon Sports
Farah covers Formula 1 and NASCAR for Athlon Sports. With over five years of sports journalism experience, she brings a global perspective from her base between France and Tunisia.