The NASCAR Cup Series caps off a triple header at Bristol Motor Speedway, with the Bass Pro Shops Night Race. The race also rounds out the three races in round one of the playoffs.

The last time the Cup Series drivers were at Bristol, the track was covered in dirt. With the release of the 2022 Cup Series schedule, the drivers will be returning to Bristol next spring for another run on the dirt.

Denny Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr have secured spots in the next round of the playoffs with a win in the first two races. Kyle Larson has also secured his spot in the next round via points. Kurt Busch currently sits on the bubble as the last driver that would move on to the round of 12; while Alex Bowman, Tyler Reddick, William Byron, and Michael McDowell all face elimination.

After his win at Richmond Raceway, Martin Truex Jr sits on the pole with Denny Hamlin alongside on the front row.

The starting lineup for the Bass Pro Shops Night Race:
Martin Truex Jr
Denny Hamlin
Joey Logano
Chase Elliott
Kyle Larson
Christopher Bell
Ryan Blaney
Kevin Harvick
Kyle Busch
Brad Keselowski
Alex Bowman
Aric Almirola
Tyler Reddick
William Byron
Kurt Busch
Michael McDowell
Ross Chastain
Austin Dillon
Matt DiBenedetto
Chase Briscoe
Daniel Suarez
Erik Jones
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
Ryan Newman
Chris Buescher
Cole Custer
Ryan Preece
Bubba Wallace
Justin Haley
Anthony Alfredo
Corey LaJoie
BJ McLeod
Josh Bilicki
Quin Houff
JJ Yeley
Garrett Smithley
James Davison
David Starr

There is a bit of weather in the area, but NASCAR officials expect for the race to begin on time.

Stages one and two of the race are 125 laps each with stage three lasting 250 laps for a total of 500 laps around the half mile track. Drivers can run 150 to 160 laps on a sigle load of fuel.

NASCAR has called for a competition caution around lap 40.

Martin Truex Jr brings the field down for the green flag start of the race from the outside lane and jumps out in front for the lead. Chase Elliott takes second.

Lap two, the top five are Martin Truex Jr, Chase Elliott, Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, and Christopher Bell.

Lap six, Chase Elliott battles Martin Truex Jr for the lead. Elliott is the new leader.

Lap eight, Chase elliott has a half second lead on Martin Truex Jr; Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, and Kyle Larson round out the top five.

Lap eleven, Brad Keselowski says that it is the best car he’s every had at Bristol.

Lap 13, Chase Elliott has a lead of over a second on Denny Hamlin; Martin Truex Jr and Jeoy Logano battle for third. Logano takes third.

Lap 15, the top five are Chase Elliott, Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, Kyle Larson, and Martin Truex Jr.

Brad Keselowski passes Martin Truex Jr for fifth.

Tyler Reddick reports some radio issues, saying that he can’t hear his crew chief.

There are 35 cars on the lead lap.

Lap 24, Denny Hamlin has closed the gap on leader Chase Elliott to under half a second.

Lap 26, the top five re Chase Elliott, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson, Brad Keselowski, and Joey Logano.

Lap 34, Chase Elliott has a half second lead on Denny Hamlin; Kyle Larson, Brad Keselowski, and Kevin Harvick round out the top five.

Kurt Busch is reporting some major handling issues with his car.

Lap 37, there are 29 cars on the lead lap.

Martin Truex Jr is in 10th and reporting a very free condition.

Lap 40, Denny Hamlin battles with Chase Elliott for the lead but Elliott holds on.

Lap 41, NASCAR displays the yellow flag for the competition caution.

The teams were given 10 sets of tires for tonight’s race.

Drivers come down pit road for service with several reporting handling issues. Chase Elliott leads the race off of pit road with Denny Hamlin out second.

Joey Logano had a slow pit stop due to a cooling hose coming loose.

Chase Elliott brings the field down for the green flag restart from the outside lane on lap 48 and gets out in front for the lead with Kyle Larson in second.

The top five are Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson, Kenny Hamlin, Brad Keselowski, and Kevin Harvick.

Lap 57, Denny Hamlin passes Kyle Larson for second; Chase Elliott has a half second lead.

Lap 62, Chase Elliott has a near half second lead on Denny Hamlin as they encounter slower traffic.

There are 33 cars on the lead lap.

Lap 77, Chase Elliott leads the race but Kyle Larson is close behind; Denny Hamlin, Brad Keselowski, and Kevin Harvick round out the top five with 30 cars on the lead lap.

Lap 84,Kyle Larson takes advantage of a lapped car to pass Chase Elliott for the lead with Denny Hamlin taking second.

Lap 89, Denny Hamlin has caught up to leader Kyle Larson and challenges for the lead. Denny Hamlin uses the lapped car of Corey LaJoie to take the lead but Kyle Larson continues to battle.

Lap 93, the top five are Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, Brad Keselowski, and Ryan Blaney.

Lap 95, leader Denny Hamlin has pulled out to a lead of nearly half a second on Kyle Larson.

With 27 cars on the lead lap, there are lapped cars all through the field.

Lap 109, Denny Hamlin has a lead of over half a second on Kyle Larson; Chase elliott, Brad Keselowski, and Ryan Blaney round out the top five.

Lap 118, in 22nd place, Joey Logano is just two spots away from going a lap down.

Six laps remain in stage one, Kyle Larson has caught up to leader Denny Hamlin who is on Bubba Wallace’s bumper and looking to pit him a lap down.

Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin battle for the lead. Larson takes the lead briefly. Bubba Wallace goes a lap down.

Denny Hamlin wins stage one for his fourth stage win of the season.

The top 10 at the end of stage one:
Denny Hamlin
Kyle Larson
Chase Elliott
Brad Keselowski
Ryan Blaney
Kevin Harvick
Kyle Busch
Christopher Bell
Martin Truex Jr
William Byron

Joey Logano in the number 22 car is in 22nd place, the last car on the lead lap. Bubba Wallace is the “lucky dog” and will get back on the lead lap.

Drivers come down pit road for service with several drivers continuing to have handling issues with their cars. Kyle Larson wins the race off of pit road with Chace Elliott coming out second.

Chase Elliott was caught speeding on pit road and will have to restart the race from the back of the field.

Kyle Larson brings the field down for the green flag start of stage two from the outside lane and jumps out in front for the lead with Brad Keselowski taking second; Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, Christopher Bell round out the top five.

Lap 138, Brad Keselowski battles with Kyle Larson for the lead. Brad Keselowski is the new leader.

Lap 142, Brad Keselowski has a tenth of a secnd lead on Denny Hamlin; Kyle Larson, Ryan Blaney, and Kevin Harvick round out the top five.

Lap 146, Denny Hamlin passes Brad Keselowski for the lead with Kyle Larson taking second. There are 23 cars on the lead lap.

Lap 150, Denny Hamlin has pulled out to a one second lead on Kyle Larson; Ryan Blaney, Brad Keselowski, and Kevin Harvick round out the top five with Kyle Busch in sixth.

Lap 158, Denny Hamlin’s lead is down to under a second with Kyle Larson in second; Ryan Blaney, Brad Keselowski, and Kevin Harvick round out the top five.

Lap 160, Aric Almirola’s car is smoking.

Lap 168, the caution flag comes out for Daniel Suarez’ smoking car. Ryan Newman got into the wall and has damage to his car. Cole Custer is also on pit road with damage to his car. Bubba Wallace also has some damage to his car.

Aric Almirola reports that the smoke doesn’t smell like anything.

Drivers come down pit road for fresh tires and fuel. Kyle Busch is still reporting a tight issue; as well as, Alex Bowman. Kyle Larson wins the race off of pit road.

Aric Almirola’s crew reports that there is fluid inside the left front. Almirola’s car is still smoking and has been black flagged.

NASCAR has extended the caution as they search for fluid on the track.

Almirola’s crew changed the bad oil line and he is still on the lead lap.

Lap 182, Kyle Larson brings the field down for the green flag restart and gets out in front for htel ead.

Lap 187, the top five are Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, Ryan Blaney, and Brad Keselowski.

Ryan Newman’s team could not get the car repaired during the crashed vehicle policy and becomes the first driver out of the race.

There are 27 crs on the lead lap.

Lap 193, Joey Logano and Chase Elliott have worked their way back to the top 10 after being mired back in the field due to pit road issues.

Lap 195, Kyle Larson has a lead of over half a second on Denny Hamlin; Ryan Blaney is over two seconds back in third with Ryan Blaney and Brad Keselowski rounding out the top five.

Kurt Busch is reporting a possible tire vibration and a possible ride height issue.

Lap 204, Kyle Larson has pulled out to a near one second lead on Denny Hamlin.

Lap 214, Kely Larson has increased his lead to over a second and a half on Denny Hamlin; Kevin Harvick, Ryan Blaney, and Brad Keselowski round out the top five.

Lap 220, the caution flag comes out for a big crash involving BJ McLeod, Justin Haley, and Anthony Alfredo. Kyle Busch and Chase Elliott were battling for sixth when the caution flag came out.

BJ McLeod is out of the race.

NASCAR has red flagged the race on lap 225 to get the track cleaned up.

After a red flag delay of around seven minutes NASCAR displays the yellow flag and the drivers get moving again.

Some of the drivers come down pit road for service but the leaders stay out on the track.

Several drivers come down pit road for service but the leaders stay out on the track.

Kyle Larson brings the field down for the green flag restart from the outside lane with just 18 laps remaining in stage two. Kyle Larson gets out in front for thel ead with Brad Keselowski in second; Denny Hamlin, Chase Elliott, and Kyle Busch round out the top five.

Kevin Harvick in ninth place is the first driver on fresh tires.

Drivers are getting three wide across the track.

Denny Hamlin is on leader Kyle Larson’s bumper in an effort to take the lead with 13 laps remaining in stage two.

Lap 239, Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson are in a battle for the lead with Brad Keselowski coming up to Hamlin’s bumper to make it a three way battle.

Ten to go in stage two, Kyle Larson holds on to the lead.

Five to go, Kyle Larson has a near half second lead on Denny Hamlin. Anthony Alfredo takes his car down pit road.

Justin Haley and BJ McLeod are out of the race; joining Ryan Newman in the garage.

Kyle Larson wins stage two to earn playoff point number 54.

The top 10 at the end of stage two:
Kyle Larson
Denny Hamlin
Brad Keselowski
William Byron
Chase Elliott
Kevin Harvick
Ryan Blaney
Christopher Bell
Tyler Reddick
Kyle Busch

Drivers come down pit road for service but some drivers stayed out on the track.

Tyler Reddick has to make a second trip down pit road for a lug nut issue.

Kevin Harvick, Ryan Blaney, and Joey Logano have clinched spots in the next round of the playoffs based on points earned.

Kevin Harvick brings the field down for the green flag start of stage three with 241 laps remaining in the race.

The top five are Kevin Harvick, Ryan Blaney, Martin Truex Jr, Christopher Bell, and Aric Almirola.

Lap 264, Ryan Blaney passes Kevin Harvick to take the lead.

Ryan Blaney barely misses hitting the wall when he gets caught up in some debris.

Lap 270, Ryan Blaney has a third of a second lead on Kevin Harvick; Christopher Bell, Denny Hamlin, and Aric Almirola round out the top five.

Lap 277, Ryan Blaney has a near half second lead on Kevin Harvick with 27 cars on the lead lap.

Lap 282, Ryan Blaney has a third of a second lead on Kevin Harvick with Christopher Bell over a second back in third place.

Lap 295, Kevin Harvick has closed the gap on Ryan Blaney. Harvick and Blaney battle for the lead among lapped traffic; so far Blaney holds Harvick off.

Lap 303, Ryan Blaney passes Michael McDowell to put him a lap down.

Lap 307, Kevin Harvick catches leader Ryan Blaney and takes the lead.

Lap 310, the top five are Kevin Harvick, Ryan Blaney, Christopher Bell, Kyle Larson, and Denny Hamlin.

There are 25 cars on the lead lap.

Lap 317, Kyle Larson passes Christopher Bell for third place; Denny Hamlin is in fifth.

Lap 325, Kevin Harvick leads the race with Kyle Larson in second; Denny Hamlin, Ryan Blaney, and Christopher Bell round out the top five.

Lap 332, Kevin Harvick and Kyle Larson battle for the lead.

Lap 337, Kyle Larson passes Kevin Harvick for the lead. Harvick was trapped behind lapped driver David Star.

Lap 339, Kurt Busch fights to stay on the lead lap.

Anthony Alfredo is off the track.

Lap 344, Kyle Larson finally puts Kurt Busch a lap down.

Lap 347, Kyle Larson leads the race with Kevin Harvick in second; Denny Hamlin, Ryan Blaney, and Christopher Bell round out the top five.

Lap 351, Kyle Larson has pulled out to a one second lead on Kevin Harvick.

Leader Kyle Larson has put playoff drivers Kurt Busch, Tyler Reddick, and Michael McDowell one lap down.

Lap 363, there are 20 cars on the lead lap.

Lap 364, Quin Houff brings out the caution flag with a blown tire. Houff nearly hits Ricky Stenhouse Jr who was trying to come down pit road.

Drivers come down pit road for service with Kyle Larson winning the race off of pit road. Christopher Bell had a slow pit stop after he missed the pit stall and had to back up to get into his pit stall.

Kyle Larson brings the field down for the green flag restar from the outside lane on lap 371 and jumps out in front for the lead.

The top five are Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch, and Ryan Blaney.

Lap 372, Denny Hamlin is on Kyle Larson’s bumper. Drivers are battling all through the field for position.

With 123 laps remaining in the race William Byron, Tyler Reddick, Kurt Busch, and Michael McDowell are all below the cut line for elimination from the playoffs.

Lap 388, Quin Houff brings out the seventh caution flag of the race when he gets into the wall with a flat tire.

Tyler Reddick is the “lucky dog” and is back on the lead lap.

Some of the drivers bring their cars down pit road for service but leader Kyle Larson is among the drivers who stay out on th track.

Kyle Larson brings the field down for the green flag restart from the outside lane on lap 397 and holds on to the lead with Denny Hamlin in second.

The top five are Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, Chase Elliott, and Alex Bowman.

Denny Hamlin battles Kyle Larson for the lead. Some on track contact, Denny Hamlin cuts a tire and hits the wall bringing out the caution flag with 100 laps to go.

Kurt Busch is the “lucky dog” and is back on the lead lap.

There is a little damage to Kyle Larson’s car but he elects to stay out on the track. Denny Hamlin has to come down pit road for fresh tires and a little repair.

Kyle Larson brings the field down for the green flag restarts from the outside lane with 93 laps remaining in the race.

Lap 413, Chase Elliott finally takes the lead from Kyle Larson.

Lap 415, Chase Elliott has pulled out to a half second lead on Kyle Larson; Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch, and William Byron round out the top five.

With 77 laps remaining in the race, there are 22 cars on the lead lap with Chase Elliott leading the race.

Quin Houff and Anthony Alfredo are out of the race.

Lap 435, Chase Elliott has a lead of nearly half a second on Kevin Harvick; Kyle Larson, Kyle Busch, and William Byron round out the top five.

Lap 441, Kevin Harvick catches up to lead Chase Elliott and challenges for the lead

Lap 454, Kevin Harvick continues to try and battle leader Chase Elliott for the lead with Elliott holding him off so far.

Lap 455, Kyle Busch has a flat tire and has to make an unscheduled trip down pit road to change tires. Busch is tow laps down. Busch’s flat tire has dropped him to just two points above the cut line.

Lap 465, Kyle Busch gets one of his laps back.

Lap 467, leader Chase Elliott and Kevin Harvick make contact. Chase Elliott has a flat tire and has to make an unscheduled trip down pit road. Kevin Harvick is the new leader.

Chase Elliott returns to the track three laps down.

Lap 473, when Chase Elliott passes leader Kevin Harvick to get one of his laps back, he makes contact with Harvick to show his displeasure.

Lap 474, Christopher Bell has a flat tire and has to make an unscheduled trip down pit road. He returns to the track laps down.

Lap 479, Kevin Harvick has a half second lead on Kyle Larson with 19 cars on the lead lap.

The top five are Kevin Harvick, Kyle Larson, William Byron, Ryan Blaney, and Alex Bowman.

Fourteen laps remain in the race, Kevin Harvick has a half second lead on Kyle Larson.

Back in the field, Aric Almirola is in a battle to get above the cut line; he is currently two points below the cut line.

Nine to go, Kevin Harvick has increased his lead to over half a second on Kyle Larson. Last season, Harvick led with the most race wins; this season he has yet to win a race.

With six laps to go, Kevin Harvick and Kyle Larson battle for the lead with lapped traffic in front of htem.

Lap 497, Kyle Larson puts a slide job on Kevin Harvick to take the lead.

Kyle Larson takes the white flag.

Kyle Larson wins the race for his sixth win of the season.

Kevin Harvick and Chase Elliott play bumper cars on pit road to express their feelings over on track events. Out of their cars, the two drivers have an aggressive discussion. Kevin Harvick throws his gloves.

Tyler Reddick, Aric Almirola, Kurt Busch, and Michael McDowell have been eliminated from the playoffs.

The unofficial results of the Bass Pro Shops Night Race:
Kyle Larson
Kevin Harvick
William Byron
Ryan Blaney
Alex Bowman
Brad Keselowski
Martin Truex Jr
Erik Jones
Denny Hamlin
Matt DiBenedetto
Joey Logano
Tyler Reddick
Chase Briscoe
Ross Chastain
Austin Dillon
Bubba Wallace
Ryan Preece
Aric Almirola
Kurt Busch
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
Kyle Busch
Daniel Suarez
Chris Buescher
Michael McDowell
Chase Elliott
Corey LaJoie
JJ Yeley
Cole Custer
Christopher Bell
Garrett Smithley
Josh Bilicki
David Starr
James Davison
Quin Houff
Anthony Alfredo
Justin Haley
BJ McLeod
Ryan Newman