Austin Dillon clinches NASCAR Playoffs spot with a dramatic win at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday night in Virginia, confirming his place among the 16 drivers set to compete for the NASCAR Cup Series championship at the upcoming Bass Pro Shop Night Race, scheduled for September 13. Dillon’s victory signals a turn of fortune after last year’s disappointment, reigniting the fervor of Bristol Motor Speedway fans who have long supported his No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet and the event’s title sponsor, Bass Pro Shops.
Redemption at Bristol Sets the Stage
For Austin Dillon, Saturday’s triumph solidifies a comeback after missing the Playoffs last season due to controversy surrounding his win at this very event. The enthusiastic Bristol Motor Speedway crowd, always visible in their support for the No. 3 car, will see Dillon rejoining the battle for the series crown as the Cup Series converges on the iconic half-mile track for one of racing’s most anticipated nights.
“Man, that feels good, I’ve got to thank the good Lord above,”
—Austin Dillon, NASCAR Cup Series Driver
Reflecting on his journey over the past year, Dillon expressed the weight of earning his way back, stating,
“I really wanted that one. Last year, hurt really bad. Just going through the whole process of it. But this one feels so sweet.”
—Austin Dillon, NASCAR Cup Series Driver
Preparing for the Road Ahead
With the regular season finale in Florida fast approaching, Dillon will soon shift focus to the opening Round of 16 Playoffs. Early races will take place at Darlington, South Carolina, and St. Louis, Illinois, before drivers clash again at Bristol Motor Speedway, notorious for its demanding 500-lap elimination race. Only 12 of the 16 Playoff qualifiers will remain when the checkered flag falls at the Bass Pro Shops Night Race, set to air on September 13.
Dillon’s Playoff Credentials and Bristol Record
Dillon’s Playoff record is strong, having reached the second round in three of his previous five Playoff appearances. He credits persistence for his team’s ability to persevere through tough circumstances.
“We’re kind of like a fighter, we don’t go away,”
—Austin Dillon, NASCAR Cup Series Driver. He elaborated on his resilience, saying,
“I think a lot of people think that guy is going to go away at some point. We’re able to claw, chip, find ways. I like that underdog mentality a little bit.”
—Austin Dillon, NASCAR Cup Series Driver
Despite his consistent Playoff presence, Dillon is still chasing a first Cup Series victory at Bristol Motor Speedway. Previously, he secured a win during the Xfinity Series’ 2016 Food City 300 and claimed a Late Model victory on the dirt track in 2021. Most recently, he finished 10th in the April Food City 500 at Bristol.
Keys for Success on Bristol’s Unique Track
Dillon recently discussed strategies for excelling at Bristol during a media appearance at the Speedway Children’s Charities Golf Tournament at Olde Farm Golf Club. His enthusiasm for the venue was evident as he shared,
“I can’t wait to get to Bristol,”
—Austin Dillon, NASCAR Cup Series Driver. He cited the strength of the Richard Childress Racing short track program, adding,
“It’s always one of the best races of the year. I think the RCR short track program is pretty good right now… The biggest thing is being able to run both the high and low line. It’s being able to change lanes and make good moves from entry to corner.”
—Austin Dillon, NASCAR Cup Series Driver
The Playoffs Field: Contenders and Competition
Dillon became the 14th different winner of the current NASCAR Cup Series season, adding even more variety to a packed Playoff lineup. Among the confirmed 13 Playoff qualifiers joining Dillon are regular season champion William Byron, Chase Elliott, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson, Ryan Blaney, Christopher Bell, Chase Briscoe, Bubba Wallace, Joey Logano, Ross Chastain, Austin Cindric, Josh Berry, and Shane Van Gisbergen. With only one additional new winner able to join the field at Daytona, the Playoff entry list is nearly set.
As things stand, two Playoff spots remain open, with more than 10 highly skilled drivers still vying for them. Tyler Reddick and Alex Bowman hold the provisional 15th and 16th spots based on points. Other hopefuls just outside the cutoff, all of whom have histories of victory lane appearances, include Brad Keselowski, Chris Buescher, Kyle Busch, Daniel Suarez, Michael McDowell, and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Up-and-coming drivers such as Ty Gibbs, Ryan Preece, AJ Allmendinger, Erik Jones, and rookie Carson Hocevar will also be pushing to secure their own Playoff berths.
Huge Weekend of Racing at Bristol Motor Speedway
The Bass Pro Shops Night Race caps a full weekend featuring a trio of major events. The Friday night schedule includes the Xfinity Series Food City 300, which serves as the Round of 12 opener, with names like Justin Allgaier, Austin Hill, Sheldon Creed, Brandon Jones, Sammy Smith, Jesse Love, and current points leader Connor Zilisch in the mix for the win.
Thursday launches the festivities with a doubleheader: The UNOH 200 presented by Ohio Logistics highlights the evening as the latest Playoff stop for the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. Key drivers to watch include Corey Heim, Ty Majeski, Rajah Caruth, two-time Bristol winner Chandler Smith, and defending event champion Layne Riggs. The night opens with the Bush’s Beans 200 ARCA Menards Series race, spotlighting future stars and established veterans such as Lawless Alan, Lavar Scott, Brendan “Butterbean” Queen, Brent Crews, Garrett Mitchell (aka Cleetus McFarland), Logan Misuraca, and Isabella Robusto.
What’s Next for Dillon and the Playoff Picture
Austin Dillon’s win brings renewed excitement for his supporters and raises anticipation for the high-intensity Round of 16 in the NASCAR Playoffs. With drivers like William Byron, Denny Hamlin, Ross Chastain, Christopher Bell, and Joey Logano all locked in, every remaining race in the regular season and Playoffs is expected to deliver fierce competition, upsets, and standout performances. Bristol Motor Speedway, already legendary for its atmosphere and unpredictability, looks set to provide another memorable chapter in Cup Series history as Dillon and the other championship hopefuls battle for NASCAR glory.
