NASCAR 2024 playoffs at Bristol: Start time, TV, streaming, lineup for Night Race
It’s elimination night at the Bristol Motor Speedway. Following the Bass Pro Shops Night Race, four drivers will have their championship ambitions dashed as this event marks the end of the first round in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.
Although 16 drivers began the playoffs eyeing the 2024 championship, that number will diminish to 12 by the end of Saturday night as the four lowest-ranked drivers in the playoff standings face elimination.
One driver who can breathe easy is Joey Logano, who secured his spot in the next round by winning the first playoff race at Atlanta Motor Speedway two weeks ago. Last weekend at Watkins Glen International, non-playoff competitor Chris Buescher prevented the other 15 contenders from reaching victory lane.
Bristol could be a turning point for Denny Hamlin, who has had a challenging playoff campaign thus far. Having won at Bristol in March and last year’s Bristol Night Race, Hamlin currently ranks 13th, sitting six points behind the cutline required to advance. However, he brings significant confidence to the short track, with three career wins in the night race.
Who will emerge victorious on Saturday night, and who will see their dreams of a championship fade away? Here’s all the essential information to prepare for the Bass Pro Shops Night Race:
When does the NASCAR playoff race at Bristol begin?
The Bass Pro Shops Night Race is set to kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee.
Which TV channel will air the NASCAR playoff race at Bristol?
The Bass Pro Shops Night Race will be shown on the USA Network, starting with a pre-race program at 7 p.m. ET.
Is there a way to live stream the NASCAR playoff race at Bristol?
You can live stream the Bass Pro Shops Night Race on the NBC Sports website and through the NBC Sports app. Additionally, it will be available on Fubo.
How many laps will the NASCAR playoff race at Bristol cover?
The Bass Pro Shops Night Race consists of 500 laps around the 0.533-mile track, totaling 266.5 miles. The event is divided into three stages: Stage 1: 125 laps; Stage 2: 125 laps; Stage 3: 250 laps.
Who were the latest winners at Bristol in the NASCAR Cup Series?
Denny Hamlin secured the win on March 17, 2024, starting from third and leading for a total of 163 laps, including the final 17, defeating his teammate Martin Truex Jr. by 1.083 seconds.
In the previous year, on Sept. 16, 2023, Hamlin started second and led for 142 laps, including the last 135, finishing ahead of Kyle Larson in the playoff elimination race.
What are the current driver standings before the NASCAR playoff race at Bristol?
x-indicates a clinched spot in the second round. The bottom four drivers after the Bass Pro Shops Night Race will be eliminated from the playoffs.
- 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 Byron, 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 starting lineup for the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol?
Car number in parentheses; (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
