NASCAR holds its third race of the Cup Series playoffs – and its first elimination race of 2024 – Saturday night at Bristol Motor Speedway (7:30 p.m. ET, USA Network).
The 16-driver playoff field will be reduced to 12 following the Bass Pro Shops Night Race; the bottom four drivers in the playoff standings will be eliminated from championship contention.
Joey Logano, who won the opening playoff race at Atlanta Motor Speedway two weeks ago, is the only driver safely into the second round, as his victory gave him an automatic berth into the Round of 12. Christopher Bell leads the points standings after two playoff races, while Logano ranks third.
But, the rest of the top five features some surprises. Three drivers who entered the playoffs below the top nine are now among the leaders. Austin Cindric sits second in the standings after starting the playoffs ranked 10th; Alex Bowman enters Bristol ranked fourth after starting 12th; and Daniel Suarez sits fifth after starting 11th.
There are also big surprises currently below the cutline. Denny Hamlin, who was one of the championship favorites most of the season, enters Saturday night's race six points below the cutline. And two former Cup Series champions – Martin Truex Jr. (2017) and Brad Keselowski (2012) – currently sit below the top 12.
x-clinched spot in second round. Through two races; the bottom four drivers after the Bass Pro Shops Night Race will be eliminated.
Here is the schedule with dates, tracks, times and TV for each of the 10 races of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs (All times Eastern)
2024-12-25 23:062475 view
2024-12-25 22:16812 view
2024-12-25 21:53537 view
2024-12-25 21:501351 view
2024-12-25 21:41618 view
2024-12-25 21:00726 view
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