It’s the final race in round one of the playoffs for the Cup Series drivers at Bristol Motor Speedway for the Bass Pro Shop Night Race.

Due to weather issues, NASCAR has moved up the starting time for the race to 6:30pm in hopes of getting all 500 laps of the race completed.

NASCAR and Bristol Motor Speedway have announced that both of the races next season will be on the concrete.  If there is a dirt race next season, it will not occur at Thunder Valley.

Regular season champion Martin Truex Jr earned an extra 15 points for winning the championship; but he is still in danger of being eliminated after the race, seven points below the cut line, after being the first driver out of the race last week with a crashed car.

After 20 minutes of practice, the drivers take to the track to make a qualifying run.  The drivers have been divided into two groups with the top five drivers from each group moving on to a second round of qualifying to set the pole.

Craftsman Truck Series playoff driver Carson Hocevar returns to Legacy Motor Club to drive the number 42 car again this week.

The first driver on the track to make a qualifying run is BJ McLeod who posted a time of 15.610 seconds.

Christopher Bell, Ty Gibbs, Corey LaJoie, Bubba Wallace, and Chase Elliott will move on to round two of qualifying from Group A.

From Group B, William Byron, Brad Keselowski, Michael McDowell, Denny Hamlin, and Martin Truex Jr will be moving on to round two.

All five of the Group B drivers moving on to round two are playoff drivers.

First on the track is Chase Elliott and posts a time of 15,239 seconds.

Christopher Bell puts his number 20 car on the pole sweeping the round one of the playoffs races with Denny Hamlin starting alongside on the front row.

The starting lineup for the Bass Pro Shop Night Race:
Christopher Bell
Denny Hamlin
William Byron
Michael McDowell
Martin Truex Jr
Brad Keselowski
Chase Elliott
Ty Gibbs
Bubba Wallace
Corey LaJoie
Ryan Blaney
Tyler Reddick
Alex Bowman
Chase Briscoe
Kyle Busch
Carson Hocevar
Ryan Preece
Austin Dillon
Justin Haley
Chris Buescher
Kevin Harvick
AJ Allmendinger
Ross Chastain
Daniel Suarez
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
Aric Almirola
Ryan Newman
Joey Logano
Austin Cindric
Todd Gilliland
Erik Jones
Harrison Burton
Ty Dillon
BJ McLeod
JJ Yeley
Kyle Larson

Stages one and two are 125 laps each with stage three lasting 250 laps for a total of 500 laps around the half mile track.  The drivers can run 180 to 185 laps on a single load of fuel.

Just as the drivers were ready to start the engines, the rains began.  NASCAR tells the drivers to crank the engines at 6:37pm; but have to shut them off again.

At 6:47pm, the engines fire again and are moving!

A concrete track, Bristol could absorb a bit of drizzle, but the track has been treated with some “sticky stuff”, to give the track some grip.  The treated surface will not absorb the water but sit on top of it.

At 6:58pm, NASCAR has brought the drivers back .down pit road as it continues to mist.

At 7:06pm the engines have fired once again and are moving around the track.

AT 7:10pm Christopher Bell brings the field down for the green flag start of the race from the inside lane with Denny Hamlin alongside.  Bell jumps out in front for the lead with Michael McDowell in second.

Lap two, Christopher Bell leads the race with Michael McDowell in second; Brad Keselowski, William Byron, and Ty Gibbs round out the top five.

Lap six, Denny Hamlin has passed Michael McDowell to for second.

Lap eleven, Christopher Bell has a third of a second lead on Denny Hamlin; Michael McDowell, William Byron, and Ty Gibbs round out the top five.

Lap 14, leader Christopher Bell is approaching slower traffic; less than a straightaway between them.

Lap 17, Christopher Bell has a third of a second lead on Denny Hamlin and a lead of over three seconds on third place driver Michael McDowell.

Michael McDowell reports that the car has no “ride quality”.

Lap 21 Christopher Bell has caught the slower traffick; Denny Hamlin battles with Bell for the lead.

Lap 26, Christopher Bell is fighting to put Daniel Suarez a lap down.

Lap 28, Christopher Bell has a narrow lead on Denny Hamlin; Michael McDowell, William Byron, and Ty Gibbs round out the top five.

Lap 38, Christopher Bell holds a third of a second lead on Denny Hamlin; Michel McDowell, William Byron, and Ty Gibbs round out the top five with 32 cars on the lead lap.

Denny Hamlin has been challenging Christopher Bell for the lead for the past several laps.

Lap 48, Christopher Bell continues to lead the race but is getting a battle from Denny Hamlin for the lead; Michael McDowell, William Byron, and Ty Gibbs round out the top five.

Michael McDowell reports that the “ride quality” has improved.

Lap 55, Christoper Bell has increased his lead over Denny Hamlin to nearly a second; Michael McDowell, William Byron, and Ty Gibbs round out the top five.  There are 30 cars on the lead lap.

Lap 62, Kyle Larson has moved up 12 places after starting the race from the back of the field.

Lap 69, AJ Allmendinger brings out the first caution flag of the race after he gets high and then makes contact with Austin Cindric.

Some of the drivers come down pit road for service including the leaders.  NBC Sports reports that there is more rain in the area.  Taking just two tires, Michael McDowell and Brad Keselowski get off of pit road first.

Chase Briscoe was charged with a commitment cone violation; Denny Hamlin and Austin Cindric were caught speeding on pit road.  Austin Dillon was charged with a safety violation and Kyle Larson was charged with running over equipment.  All of the drivers will have to restart the race from the back of the field.

After staying out on the track, Corey LaJoie is the new leader and will bring the field down for the green flag restart with Bubba Wallace alongside on lap 77.  LaJoie edges out Bubba Wallace for the lead; Ross Chastain, Tyler Reddick, and Christopher Bell round out the top five.

Drivers get three wide across the track in a battle for position.

Lap 82, Corey LaJoie has a half second lead on Bubba Wallace; Ross Chastain, Tyler Reddick, and Christopher Bell round out the top five.

Lap 86, Corey LaJoie has a half second lead on Bubba Wallace; Christopher Bell, Ross Chastain, and Tyler Reddick round out the top five.

Kevin Harvick reports that his car is very tight; adding that it is “terrible”.

The second caution flag of the race comes out on lap 106; this time for rain.  The caution was a good luck sign for Corey LaJoie who was about to be passed by Christopher Bell to retake the lead.

Drivers come down pit road for service.

Corey La Joie brings the field down for the green flag restart with Christopher Bell alongside with just 12 laps remaining in stage one.

Lap 115, the top five are Corey LaJoie, Christopher Bell, Bubba Wallace, William Byron, and Tyler Reddick.

With seven laps remaining in stage one, Christopher Bell is on leader Corey LaJoie’s bumper.

Lap 119, Christopher Bell passes Corey LaJoie to retake the lead.

Christopher Bell wins stage one for his third stage win of the season.

The top 10 at the end of stage one:
Christopher Bell
Corey LaJoie
Bubba Wallace
William Byron
Tyler Reddick
Ross Chastain
Brad Keselowski
Kyle Larson
Martin Truex Jr
Ty Gibbs

Drivers come down pit road for service.  Kyle Busch “is not happy” with his car.  Ross Chastain also reports some handling issues.  Several of the drivers are reporting handling issues with the cars.

Corey La’Joie wins the race off of pit road.

Just as the drivers were about to start stage two, NASCAR brings the drivers down pit road for rain at the track – the hardest rains of the night.  Crews come out to cover the cars but the drivers are still in their cars.

The red flag is out at 8:03pm!

At 8:14pm, NASCAR has directed the crews to remove the covers from the cars and the jet dryers are at work.

At 8:20pm the cars are moving once again.  Ryan Preece is stopped on pit road and will need a push to get going.

Christopher Bell brings the field down for the green flag start of stage two with Kyle Larson alongside on lap 141 and jumps out in front for the lead.

The top five are Christopher Bell, William Byron, Ty Gibbs, Michael McDowell, and Kyle Larson.

Ty Gibbs passes William Byron for second.

Michael McDowell and William Byron battle for third.

Lap 149, Christopher Bell has a third of a second lead on Ty Gibbs; William Byron, Michael McDowell, and Kyle Larson round out the top five.

Lap 154, Christopher Bell is approaching slower traffic with 34 cars on the lead lap.

Lap 155, Kyle Larson passes Michael McDowell for fourth.

Lap 159, Christopher Bell has pulled out to a half second lead on Ty Gibbs; William Byron, Kyle Larson, and Michael McDowell round out the top five.

Kyle Larson passes William Byron for third.

Lap 167, Joey Logano is in danger of going a lap down as leader Christopher Bell approaches.

Lap 169, Christopher Bell passes Joey Logano to put him a lap down in 32nd place.

Kyle Larson has passed Ty Gibbs for second.

Lap 180, Kyle Larson has passed Christopher Bell for the lead;Ty Gibbs, William Byron, and Michael McDowell round out the top five.

Lap 186, Kyle Larson battles with Ross Chastian to put the Melon Man a lap down.

With 59 laps remaining in stage two, Kyle Larson has a third of a second lead on Christopher Bell; Ty Gibbs, Michael McDowell, and Chris Buescher round out the top five.

Martin Truex Jr is the next playoff driver in danger of going a lap down with 27 cars on the lead lap.

Lap 189, Christopher Bell and Kyle Larson battle for the lead with Bell getting back in front.

Lap 205, Christopher Bell has a third fo a second lead on Kyle Larson; Ty Gibbs, Michael McDowell, and Chris Buescher round out the top five.

Lap 212, there are only 25 cars on the lead lap.

Christopher Bell has pulled out to a lead of over a second on Kyle Larson; Ty Gibbs, Michael McDowell, and Chris Buescher round out the top five.

Lap 220, all 36 of the cars are still on the track.

Lap 229, Christopher Bell has a lead of over three seconds on Kyle Larson; Ty Gibbs, Michael McDowell, and Chris Buescher round out the top five.

Fifteen laps remain in stage two, Christopher Bell has a two second lead on Kyle Larson.  There are only five playoff drivers in the top 10.

Lap 239, leader Christopher Bell passes Kyle Busch in 23rd to put Busch a lap down.

Seven laps remain in stage two, Kyle Busch battles with Christopher Bell to stay on the lead lap.

Christopher Bell wins stage two for the stage sweep.

The top 10 at the end of stage two:
Christopher Bell
Ty Gibbs
Kye Larson
Denny Hamlin
Carson Hocevar
Michael McDowell
Chris Buescher
William Byron
Ryan Preece
Chase Elliott

Drivers come down pit road for service with Ty Gibbs winning the race off of pit road.

Denny Hamlin and William Byron have secured spots in the next round of the playoffs.

Ty Gibbs brings the field down for the green flag start of stage three on lap 261 with Denny Hamlin alongside.  Gibbs edges out for the lead.

The top five are Ty Gibbs, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson, Chris Buescher, and Christopher Bell.

The caution flag comes out on lap 263 for a crash involving Corey LaJoie who spins out and gets into Joey Logano, Justin Haley, Ryan Newman, and Ty Dillon.

Joey Logano becomes the first driver out of the race.  If he gets eliminated, he becomes the first defending champion to be eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.

Ty Gibbs brings the field down for the green flag restart on lap 272 with Denny Hamlin on the inside.  Gibbs gets out in front for the lead.

The top five are Ty Gibbs, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson, Chris Buescher, and Christopher Bell.

Lap 279, Ty Gibbs has a half second lead on Denny Hamlin; Kyle Larson, Chris Buescher, and Chrisopher Bell round out the top five.

Justin Haley and Ty Dillon are out of the race.

Lap 284, Ryan Blaney gets into the wall trying to ride the high line but  the track stays green.

Lap 293, Ty Gibbs has  a lead of over half a second on Denny Hamlin; Kyle Larson, Chris Buescher, and Christopher Bell round out the top five.

Kevin Harvick is reporting some toe issues; saying that he can feel it dragging.

Out of the infield care center, Joey Logano said that it ultimately was his fault for getting in a wreck.

Lap 305, Ty Gibbs passes Ryan Blaney to put him a lap down in 24th.

Lap 318, Ty Gibbs continues to lead the race with Denny Hamlin in second; Kyle Larson, Chris Buescher, and Christopher Bell round out the top five.

Lap 324, Denny Hamlin is in second but Kyle Larson is looking to take the spot; Ty Gibbs has a lead of a second and a half.

Lap 331, Erik Jones reports that something is broken in the rear of the car.

Lap 332, Ty Gibbs battles to pass Kyle Busch to put Busch a lap down.

Lap 339, Ty Gibbs finally gets around Kyle Busch to put the playoff driver a lap down.

Lap 348, Ty Gibbs has a half second lead on Denny Hamlin.

Lap 355, Denny Hamlin battles Ty Gibbs for the lead.

Lap 359, new leader!  Denny Hamlin takes the lead

Lap 361, Denny Hamlin passes Martin Truex Jr to put Truex a lap down.

Martin Truex Jr brings out the caution flag when he gets into the wall.  Truex reports that the car got away from him.

Drivers come down pit road for service with Denny Hamlin winning the race off of pit road.  Kyle Larson reports that his car gets way too free as the race goes on.

Denny Hamlin brings the field down for the green flag restart with Kyle Larson alongside on the inside on lap 370.  Hamlin edges out Larson for the lead; Christopher Bell, Chris Buescher, and Ty Gibbs round out the top five.

Kyle Larson continues to battle with Denny Hamlin for the lead.  Kyle Larson started the race in last place.

Christopher Bell and Chris Buescher batt for third.

There are 125 laps remaining in the race with Denny Hamlin over a half second out in front.

With 119 laps remaining in the race, Martin Truex Jr is the first car one lap down in 19th place.

Martin Truex Jr revealed that he hurt his wrist last week at Kansas when he crashed the car.  He said that it felt like it did when he broke the wrist 10 years ago.

Lap 392, Denny Hamlin has pulled out to a lead of over a second on Kyle Larson; Christopher Bell, Chris Buescher, and Ty Gibbs round out the top five.

Eight time Bristol winner Kyle Busch reports that the car was not set up the way he likes it; adding that he is “going nowhere” under the current set up.

Lap 398, Denny Hamlin has increased his lead to a second and a half on Kyle Larson.

Playoff drivers Ryan Blaney, Ross Chastain, Kevin Harvick, Martin Truex Jr, and Kyle Busch are all lap(s) down and in need of help to remain in the playoffs.

Lap 414, Denny Hamlin has now led over 14,000 laps in his career.

With 82 laps remaining in the race, Denny Hamlin has a lead of nearly two seconds on Kyle Larson; Christopher Bell, Chris Buescher, and Ty Gibbs round out the top five.

Seventy-five laps to go, Denny Hamlin has a lead of over a second and a half on Kyle Larson; Christopher Bell, Chris Buescher, and Ty Gibbs round out the top five with 17 cars on the lead lap.

Lap 437, Kyle Busch fights to keep from going another lap down.

Lap 439, Kyle Larson has closed the gap on leader Denny Hamlin to just half a second.

Lap 441, leader Denny Hamlin is mired in traffic.

Harrison Burton reports a steering issue in his number 21 car.

Just 54 laps remaining in the race, Bubba Wallace in 14th is the last car on the lead lap.  Denny Hamlin has pulled out to a lead of over a second on Kyle Larson with Christopher Bell, Chris Buescher, and Michael McDowell rounding out the top five.

With 45 laps remaining in the race, Denny Hamlin puts Bubba Wallace a lap down; there are just 13 cars on the lead lap.

Just 33 more laps to go, Denny Hamlin has dominated the race since taking the lead from Ty Gibbs.

Just 25 laps to go, Denny Hamlin has a three second lead on Kyle Larson; Christopher Bell, Christ Buescher, and Michael McDowell round out the top five.  There are only eleven cars on the lead lap.

Fourteen laps to go, leader Denny Hamlin passes Martin Truex Jr to put Truex a second lap down.  Hamlin has a two second lead on Kyle Larson.

Just seven laps to go, Denny Hamlin continues to lead the race with a near two second lead on Kyle Larson.

Four to go, Kyle Larson gets into the wall but the track stays green.

Denny Hamlin takes the white flag.

Earning career win number 51, Denny Hamlin wins the Night Race at Bristol.

Kevin Harvick, Joey Logano, Ricky Stenhouse Jr, and Michael McDowell have all been eliminated from the playoffs.

The unofficial results of the Bass Pro Shop Night Race:
Denny Hamlin
Kyle Larson
Christopher Bell
Chris Buescher
Ty Gibbs
Michael McDowell
Chase Elliott
Brad Keselowski
William Byron
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
Carson Hocevar
Ryan Preece
Alex Bowman
Bubba Wallace
Tyler Reddick
Todd Gilliland
Austin Dillon
Aric Almirola
Martin Truex Jr
Kyle Busch
Daniel Suarez
Ryan Blaney
Ross Chastain
Erik Jones
Corey LaJoie
JJ Yeley
Chase Briscoe
Harrison Burton
Kevin Harvick
AJ Allmendinger
BJ McLeod
Austin Cindric
Ty Dillon
Joey Logano
Justin Haley
Ryan Newman