William Byron clinched a spot in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs Round of 8 by winning at Texas Motor Speedway on Sunday afternoon.Byron made a bold move off of a restart with six laps to go, going to the bottom of the track — making it three wide in the process — and clearing both leader Bubba Wallace and Ross Chastain. He did not look back. The win gave car owner Rick Hendrick his 300th in the highest level of NASCAR.Byron’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson appeared poised to win, leading by over four seconds, until a caution came out for J.J. Yeley’s wrecked car with 25 laps to go. He and Wallace stayed out of the pits while the bulk of the field pitted for two fresh tires. On the ensuing re-start Larson spun in the lower groove while racing Wallace, who was on the high side. Larson backed into the wall, bringing out another yellow flag.Wallace led cleanly into Turn 1 on the ensuing restart and made it one lap before a host of cars wrecked behind him on the front stretch.Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 resultsWilliam Byron (24), Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletRoss Chastain (1), Trackhouse Racing ChevroletBubba Wallace (23), 23XI Racing ToyotaChristopher Bell (20), Joe Gibbs Racing ToyotaDenny Hamlin (11), Joe Gibbs Racing ToyotaKevin Harvick (4), Stewart-Haas Racing FordBrad Keselowski (6), RFK Racing FordDaniel Suárez (99), Trackhouse Racing ChevroletRicky Stenhouse Jr. (47), JTG Daugherty Racing ChevroletChase Briscoe (14), Stewart-Haas Racing FordChase Elliott (9), Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletAlex Bowman (48), Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletJustin Haley (31), Kaulig Racing ChevroletChris Buescher (17), RFK Racing FordMichael McDowell (34), Front Row Motorsports FordCarson Hocevar (42), Legacy Motor Club ChevroletMartin Truex Jr. (19), Joe Gibbs Racing ToyotaAric Almirola (10), Stewart-Haas Racing FordTy Dillon (77), Spire Motorsports ChevroletHarrison Burton (21), Wood Brothers Racing FordJoey Logano (22), Team Penske FordBJ McLeod (78), Live Fast Motorsports FordRyan Preece (41), Stewart-Haas Racing FordZane Smith (38), Front Row Motorsports FordTyler Reddick (45), 23XI Racing ToyotaCorey LaJoie (7), Spire Motorsports ChevroletAustin Cindric (2), Team Penske FordRyan Blaney (12), Team Penske FordA.J. Allmendinger (16), Kaulig Racing ChevroletErik Jones (43), Legacy Motor Club ChevroletKyle Larson (5), Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletJ.J. Yeley (15), Rick Ware Racing FordTy Gibbs (54), Joe Gibbs Racing ToyotaKyle Busch (8), Richard Childress Racing ChevroletTodd Gilliland (51), Rick Ware Racing FordAustin Dillon (3), Richard Childress Racing ChevroletUpdated NASCAR Cup Series playoff standings1. William Byron – 3,083* 2. Denny Hamlin – 3,074 3. Chris Buescher – 3,0594. Christopher Bell – 3,0575. Martin Truex Jr. – 3,056 6. Ross Chastain – 3,049 7. Brad Keselowski – 3,045 8. Kyle Larson – 3,039 ______________________________ Cut line9. Bubba Wallace – 3,037 10. Tyler Reddick – 3,03611. Ryan Blaney – 3,028 12. Kyle Busch – 3,022*Clinched entry in Round of 8Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 TV/streaming scheduleAll times EasternSaturday12:30-1:20 p.m.: Practice (USA, NBC Sports app)1:20-2:30 p.m.: Qualifying (USA, NBC Sports app)Sunday3-3:30 p.m.: Pre-race show (USA, NBC Sports app)3:30-6:30 p.m.: Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 (USA, NBC Sports app)Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 detailsTrack: Texas Motor Speedway (1.5-mile dogleg oval) in Fort Worth, TexasLength: 267 laps for 400.5 milesBanking: Turns 1-2 – 20 degrees | Turns 3-4 – 24 degrees | Straights – 5 degreesStage lengths: Stage 1 – 80 laps | Stage 2 – 80 laps | Stage 3 – 107 laps2022 winner: Tyler Reddick (8), Richard Childress Racing ChevroletAutotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 starting gridBubba Wallace (23), 23XI Racing ToyotaChris Buescher (17), RFK Racing FordBrad Keselowski (6), RFK Racing FordTy Gibbs (54), Joe Gibbs Racing ToyotaRoss Chastain (1), Trackhouse Racing ChevroletA.J. Allmendinger (16), Kaulig Racing ChevroletKyle Busch (8), Richard Childress Racing ChevroletDaniel Suárez (99), Trackhouse Racing ChevroletChristopher Bell (20), Joe Gibbs Racing ToyotaDenny Hamlin (11), Joe Gibbs Racing ToyotaKyle Larson (5), Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletErik Jones (43), Legacy Motor Club ChevroletAustin Dillon (3), Richard Childress Racing ChevroletAlex Bowman (48), Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletTyler Reddick (45), 23XI Racing ToyotaMartin Truex Jr. (19), Joe Gibbs Racing ToyotaMichael McDowell (34), Front Row Motorsports FordWilliam Byron (24), Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletCarson Hocevar (42), Legacy Motor Club ChevroletJoey Logano (22), Team Penske FordAric Almirola (10), Stewart-Haas Racing FordKevin Harvick (4), Stewart-Haas Racing FordRyan Blaney (12), Team Penske FordRicky Stenhouse Jr. (47), JTG Daugherty Racing ChevroletRyan Preece (41), Stewart-Haas Racing FordTy Dillon (77), Spire Motorsports ChevroletCorey LaJoie (7), Spire Motorsports ChevroletJustin Haley (31), Kaulig Racing ChevroletChase Elliott (9), Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletHarrison Burton (21), Wood Brothers Racing FordChase Briscoe (14), Stewart-Haas Racing FordAustin Cindric (2), Team Penske FordZane Smith (38), Front Row Motorsports FordBJ McLeod (78), Live Fast Motorsports FordJ.J. Yeley (15), Rick Ware Racing FordTodd Gilliland (51), Rick Ware Racing FordNASCAR Cup Series playoff standingsDespite a lackluster Round of 16, Truex Jr. starts the second round right where he did three weeks ago: atop the standings and level on points with William Byron. Truex had an average finish worse than 23rd in the three previous playoff races this season, and even dipped below the cut line, but things broke his way at Bristol and his stage points haul from the regular season ups his standing entering the Round of 12.1. William Byron – 3,036 2. Martin Truex Jr. – 3,036 3. Denny Hamlin – 3,0324. Kyle Larson – 3,023 5. Chris Buescher – 3,021 6. Kyle Busch – 3,019 7. Christopher Bell – 3,016 8. Tyler Reddick – 3,014 ______________________________ Cut line9. Ross Chastain – 3,011 10. Brad Keselowski  – 3,01111. Ryan Blaney – 3,008 12. Bubba Wallace – 3,000Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 top drivers and best betsThe seven drivers with the best odds for victory, according to BetMGM, are all in the playoff field and six of those seven drive for either Hendrick Motorsports or Joe Gibbs Racing, with last week’s Bristol winner Denny Hamlin leading the way.Best odds to win• Denny Hamlin +525• Kyle Larson +600• William Byron +800• Tyler Reddick +800• Martin Truex Jr. +800Yahoo Sports’ Nick Bromberg wrote earlier in the week on the gambling outlook and is bullish on Kyle Busch (+1400), who is the winningest active driver at Texas. Bromberg suggests shying away from Joey Logano — who was eliminated from playoff contention last week — citing Team Penske’s 2023 struggles on intermediate tracks.Denny Hamlin is the favorite to win Sunday at Texas Motor Speedway. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 entry listRoss Chastain (1), Trackhouse Racing ChevroletAustin Cindric (2), Team Penske FordAustin Dillon (3), Richard Childress Racing ChevroletKevin Harvick (4), Stewart-Haas Racing FordKyle Larson (5), Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletBrad Keselowski (6), RFK Racing FordCorey LaJoie (7), Spire Motorsports ChevroletKyle Busch (8), Richard Childress Racing ChevroletChase Elliott (9), Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletAric Almirola (10), Stewart-Haas Racing FordDenny Hamlin (11), Joe Gibbs Racing ToyotaRyan Blaney (12), Team Penske FordChase Briscoe (14), Stewart-Haas Racing FordJ.J. Yeley (15), Rick Ware Racing FordA.J. Allmendinger (16), Kaulig Racing ChevroletChris Buescher (17), RFK Racing FordMartin Truex Jr. (19), Joe Gibbs Racing ToyotaChristopher Bell (20), Joe Gibbs Racing ToyotaHarrison Burton (21), Wood Brothers Racing FordJoey Logano (22), Team Penske FordBubba Wallace (23), 23XI Racing ToyotaWilliam Byron (24), Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletJustin Haley (31), Kaulig Racing ChevroletMichael McDowell (34), Front Row Motorsports FordZane Smith (38), Front Row Motorsports FordRyan Preece (41), Stewart-Haas Racing FordCarson Hocevar (42), Legacy Motor Club ChevroletErik Jones (43), Legacy Motor Club ChevroletTyler Reddick (45), 23XI Racing ToyotaRicky Stenhouse Jr. (47), JTG Daugherty Racing ChevroletAlex Bowman (48), Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletTodd Gilliland (51), Rick Ware Racing FordTy Gibbs (54), Joe Gibbs Racing ToyotaTy Dillon (77), Spire Motorsports ChevroletBJ McLeod (78), Live Fast Motorsports FordDaniel Suárez (99), Trackhouse Racing ChevroletAutotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 weatherThe forecast for the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is scorching, with highs projected in the upper 90s for both days of Cup Series running and a 69% chance of rain for race day. Assuming things stay relatively dry, the combination of hot track surface chewing up tires and a likely high number of cautions — there haven’t been fewer than eight in any Texas race since 2019 — should make for wildly varying pit strategies, especially in the playoff field.
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