The NASCAR Cup Series heads to its “Last Great Colosseum” in northeast Tennessee to trim its playoff field from 16 to 12 this weekend. Bristol Motor Speedway with its tight quarters and high banks is one of the most unique tracks on the circuit and always produces on-track drama. NASCAR brass know exactly what they’re doing, placing Bristol as a playoff cut-down race.Christopher Bell enters the weekend atop the playoff column with 2,108 points, followed by William Byron (2,098), Denny Hamlin (2,097) and Joey Logano (2,090). Here is everything you need to know for the Bass Pro Shops Night Race.NASCAR Bass Pro Shops Night Race resultsChris Buescher (17), RFK Racing FordChase Elliott (9), Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletWilliam Byron (24), Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletChristopher Bell (20), Joe Gibbs Racing ToyotaKyle Larson (5), Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletRoss Chastain (1), Trackhouse Racing ChevroletAJ Allmendinger (16), Kaulig Racing ChevroletCole Custer (41), Stewart-Haas Racing FordDenny Hamlin (11), Joe Gibbs Racing ToyotaKevin Harvick (4), Stewart-Haas Racing FordMichael McDowell (34), Front Row Motorsports FordJustin Haley (31), Kaulig Racing ChevroletBrad Keselowski (6), RFK Racing FordChase Briscoe (14), Stewart-Haas Racing FordCorey Lajoie (7), Spire Motorsports ChevroletHarrison Burton (21), Wood Brothers Racing FordCody Ware (51), Rick Ware Racing ChevroletTodd Gilliland (38), Front Row Motorsports FordDaniel Suarez (99), Trackhouse Racing ChevroletAustin Cindric (2), Team Penske FordErik Jones (43), Petty GMS Motorsports ChevroletLandon Cassill (77), Spire Motorsports ChevroletBJ McLeod (78), Live Fast Motorsports FordTy Dillon (42), Petty GMS Motorsports ChevroletTyler Reddick (8), Richard Childress Racing ChevroletJoey Logano (22), Team Penske FordAric Almirola (10), Stewart-Haas Racing FordBubba Wallace (23), 23XI Racing ToyotaRyan Blaney (12), Team Penske FordAustin Dillon (3), Richard Childress Racing ChevroletAlex Bowman (48), Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletRicky Stenhouse Jr. (47), JTG Daugherty Racing ChevroletKyle Busch (18), Joe Gibbs Racing ToyotaTy Gibbs (45), 23XI Racing ChevroletMartin Truex Jr. (19), Joe Gibbs Racing ToyotaNASCAR Bass Pro Shops Night Race starting gridAric Almirola (10), Stewart-Haas Racing FordChase Briscoe (14), Stewart-Haas Racing FordAlex Bowman (48), Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletDenny Hamlin (11), Joe Gibbs Racing ToyotaKyle Larson (5), Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletRyan Blaney (12), Team Penske FordKevin Harvick (4), Stewart-Haas Racing FordChristopher Bell (20), Joe Gibbs Racing ToyotaAustin Cindric (2), Team Penske FordBrad Keselowski (6), Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing FordCole Custer (41), Stewart-Haas Racing FordRoss Chastain (1), Trackhouse Racing ChevroletAJ Allmendinger (16), Kaulig Racing ChevroletBubba Wallace (23), 23XI Racing ToyotaJoey Logano (22), Team Penske FordWilliam Byron (24), Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletTyler Reddick (8), Richard Childress Racing ChevroletMichael McDowell (34), Front Row Motorsports FordJustin Haley (31), Kaulig Racing ChevroletChris Buescher (17), Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing FordKyle Busch (18), Joe Gibbs Racing ToyotaMartin Truex Jr. (19), Joe Gibbs Racing ToyotaChase Elliott (9), Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletErik Jones (43), Petty GMS Motorsports ChevroletTy Gibbs (45), 23XI Racing ChevroletRicky Stenhouse Jr. (47), JTG Daugherty Racing ChevroletHarrison Burton (21), Wood Brothers Racing FordAustin Dillon (3), Richard Childress Racing ChevroletDaniel Suarez (99), Trackhouse Racing ChevroletTodd Gilliland (38), Front Row Motorsports FordCorey Lajoie (7), Spire Motorsports ChevroletCody Ware (51), Rick Ware Racing ChevroletBJ McLeod (78), Live Fast Motorsports FordTy Dillon (42), Petty GMS Motorsports ChevroletLandon Cassill (77), Spire Motorsports ChevroletJ.J. Yeley (15), Rick Ware Racing ChevroletNASCAR Cup Series weekend schedule and how to watchFans in the United States can watch the race on the USA network, the USA mobile app or the NBC Sports app (cable or satellite subscription required). Radio coverage is available on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM.(All times ET)Friday, Sept. 16Qualifying: 5:20 -6:30 p.m. ET (USA, MRN, SiriusXM)Saturday, Sept. 17Bass Pro Shops Night Race: 7:30 – 11 p.m. ET (USA, MRN, SiriusXM)Top drivers and best bets for the Bass Pro Shops Night RaceAccording to BetMGM four playoff drivers – Hamlin, Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson and Kyle Busch – enter the weekend with the best moneline at +700. Following them are fellow playoff competitors Bell and Kevin Harvick (+900 apiece).Kyle Busch, foreground, and Denny Hamlin enter NASCAR’s Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol as favorites. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)Yahoo Sports’ Nick Bromberg reports that nearly half of the money has been bet on Busch or Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Martin Truex Jr. (+1600), who just narrowly missed out on the playoff chase by a handful of points. Bromberg suggests good mid-tier value can be found in Byron, who sports the same moneyline as Truex Jr. and suggests staying away from playoff driver Ross Chastain (+1400) as there is a good chance payback is coming.Weather forecast for the Bass Pro Shops Night RaceWarm and clear. The “Thunder Valley” moniker is well-earned by the track not only because of its roaring action but also because thunderstorms are common in the area and have wreaked havoc on many a race weekend there, but doesn’t appear to be a concern this time around.
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