CONCORD, N.C. - This Saturday, the Round of 16 comes to a close at Bristol Motor Speedway. Heading into the year's first playoff elimination race, all four Hendrick Motorsports drivers sit above the cutline.
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Bristol's configuration has been a fan favorite since NASCAR Cup Series racing first came at the .533-mile track in 1961. With banking in the corners between 24 and 28 degrees, the concrete racing surface leads to high speeds as drivers tip-toe on the edge of control for a grueling 500 laps. Split pit roads will also be in play this weekend, giving drivers an additional challenge for Saturday night's main event.
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Dating back to 1989 when the group won for the first time at Bristol, Hendrick Motorsports has had its fair share of success at the Tennessee short track. Rick Hendrick's team leads all Cup Series organizations in top-five finishes (69) and top 10s (121) with 12 victories along the way. That includes one by Kyle Larson in this race in 2021.
Where is the NASCAR race this weekend?
The Cup Series main event is at Bristol this weekend and will go green at 7:30 p.m. ET.
NASCAR on TV this week
Friday, September 20
4 p.m. ET: Practice - USA Network
5:05 p.m. ET: Qualifying - USA Network
For the Cup Series, Larson and Elliott will be in Group A while Byron and Bowman will be in Group B.
Saturday, September 21
7:30 p.m. ET: Cup Series main event - USA Network
STAGES
STAGE 1: LAP 125
STAGE 2: LAP 250
END OF RACE: LAP 500
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NASCAR playoff standings
- Joey Logano (ADV)
- Christopher Bell (+46)
- Austin Cindric (+43)
- Alex Bowman (+41)
- Daniel Suarez (+36)
- Tyler Reddick (+30)
- Chase Elliott (+30)
- Ryan Blaney (+29)
- Kyle Larson (+26)
- William Byron (+25)
- Chase Briscoe (+6)
- Ty Gibbs (+6)
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- Denny Hamlin (-6)
- Brad Keselowski (-12)
- Martin Truex Jr. (-14)
- Harrison Burton (-20)
Will the NASCAR race be on the radio?
Yes, listeners can find the race on PRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).
Where can I stream online?
Yes. Download the NBC Sports App for online coverage. Fans can also keep up with the action on X by following @TeamHendrick.
Driver averages, statistics for Hendrick Motorsports drivers
Data provided by Racing Insights
Larson, No. 5 team
Larson has averaged 43 points scored during the stage point era at Bristol, his best at a track with more than four starts. The Elk Grove, California, native has also finished inside the top 10 in his last five Bristol starts and he's the only active Hendrick Motorsports driver to win a points-paying race at the track. Regardless of what any other driver does this weekend, Larson can advance into the next round by scoring 34 points.
Elliott, No. 9 team
Despite not having a points-paying victory at Bristol, Chase Elliott was the 2020 NASCAR All-Star Race champion, which took place at "The World's Fastest Half Mile". In his career, the driver of the No. 9 entry as paced the field for 444 laps at this track, the third most of any circuit in his Cup Series career. Were he to score 30 points this weekend, Elliott advances to the Round of 8 no matter what.
Byron, No. 24 team
Since the Next Gen car was introduced in 2022, William Byron has spent 289 laps inside the top five and 746 laps inside the top 10 at Bristol. His two short track victories since '22 also put him in a tie for second in short track wins with the Next Gen car. Byron can lock himself into the Round of 8 by scoring 35 points at Bristol regardless of the race's outcome.
Bowman, No. 48 team
Alex Bowman and the No. 48 Ally Racing team have been very effective at maximizing point scoring opportunities this postseason. The team leads the way in stage points earned at 28. Because of this work, Bowman only needs to score 19 points on Saturday to lock himself into the next round. While the total is likely to go down as the race unfolds, Bowman has positioned his team extremely well to make an appearance in the Round of 12.
Hendrick Motorsports
All four drivers from Hendrick's operation sit at least 25 markers above the cutline heading into Bristol. As for the race, Hendrick Motorsports has had at least three drivers finish inside the top 10 in each of the last four Bristol events. Come Saturday night, all four teams aim to keep their playoff hopes alive and well.
Catch the Cup Series main event from Bristol at 7:30 p.m. ET on USA Network, PRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).