The pivotal NASCAR Cup Series Bristol Playoff Race, the Bass Pro Shops Night Race, takes place Saturday, September 13, at Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee, marking the tense conclusion to the Round of 16 and raising the stakes for drivers hoping to avoid playoff elimination. With the final four drivers facing potential exit from championship contention, top contenders and fans alike are eagerly awaiting the on-track drama and strategic showdowns that define this iconic event under the lights.
Saturday Night Focus at Bristol Motor Speedway
This year’s NASCAR Cup Series Bristol Playoff Race starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on USA Network, with live pre-race coverage at 7 p.m. ET on “Countdown to Green.” The Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway remains a signature event on the NASCAR calendar, offering a high-pressure elimination round format that will determine which 12 drivers continue their quest for the championship.
Throughout its storied history, Bristol’s night race has delivered unforgettable action and energy, and the 2025 edition further raises the stakes as the cutoff race for the Round of 16. Only the drivers with the strongest results will advance, while four will see their title hopes dashed as the checkered flag falls.
Denny Hamlin arrives at Bristol secure in his spot for the Round of 12 after last week’s win at World Wide Technology Raceway. Joining him in clinching advancement is Darlington victor Chase Briscoe. Other leading names heading into the Bristol race include Kyle Larson—last year’s Bass Pro Shops Night Race winner—as well as Bubba Wallace and Ryan Blaney rounding out the top five in the standings. Austin Dillon, Shane van Gisbergen, and Alex Bowman currently sit near the bubble, needing standout performances to survive the weekend’s elimination.
NBC Sports Broadcast Team and Event Coverage
The NBC Sports team will bring fans all the action with Leigh Diffey calling play-by-play, joined by expert analysts Jeff Burton—known as “The Mayor” of NASCAR and a Food City 500 winner at Bristol—and Steve Letarte, a Daytona 500-winning crew chief. Courtside insights from the pit lane will come from reporters Marty Snider, Kim Coon, Dave Burns, and 2011 Daytona 500 champion Trevor Bayne.
Anchoring coverage from the Peacock Pit Box will be NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Jarrett, who adds a valuable perspective as a former winner of this very race in 1997. Pre- and post-race segments will be led by Snider alongside Jarrett, keeping fans informed and engaged throughout the event.
Adding to the pageantry, Rusty Wallace—a nine-time Bristol winner and another deserved Hall of Famer—will deliver the opening introduction on the broadcast, and legendary announcer Michael Buffer is set to provide unforgettable driver introductions at the track.
Key Drivers and Standings Entering the Cutoff
With Larson defending his 2024 victory at Bristol and Hamlin and Briscoe already locked into the next round, the battle intensifies around the playoff bubble. Bubba Wallace and Ryan Blaney will try to maintain or improve their points positions to move forward. Meanwhile, Austin Dillon, Shane van Gisbergen, and Alex Bowman are under pressure, knowing that any misstep could end their playoff runs.
The history-rich Food City 500, part of Bristol’s long tradition, was won by Jeff Burton in 2008 and featured the final race of Dale Jarrett’s career that same year, providing added resonance for this year’s broadcast team and coverage theme.
Where and How to Watch the NASCAR Cup Series Bristol Playoff Race
The full NASCAR Cup Series Bristol Playoff Race will air live on USA Network at 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday, with pre-race coverage at 7 p.m. ET. Fans can also stream the event through NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app. NBC Sports is set to present the remaining 14 NASCAR Cup Series races in 2025 across NBC, USA Network, and Peacock, with the championship finale scheduled for November 2 at Phoenix Raceway. Practice and qualifying, key components of the racing weekend, will be available live on truTV Friday at 4:30 p.m. ET.
SuperMotocross World Championship: St. Louis Action
In addition to the NASCAR Playoff excitement, the SuperMotocross World Championship Playoffs continue this Saturday, September 13, with the penultimate round from The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri, at 6:30 p.m. ET, streaming exclusively on Peacock. The event marks the first-ever postseason SuperMotocross showdown at this historic venue.
Jett Lawrence, a two-time SuperMotocross World Champion, dominated last week’s opening playoff round in Charlotte, leading wire-to-wire in the 450 Class race. Chase Sexton and Eli Tomac completed the top three in that race, while the 250 Class was topped by Haiden Deegan—also a two-time champion—followed by Seth Hammaker and Jo Shimoda.
NBC Sports’ Jason Weigandt will handle play-by-play duties, with analysis from 15-time AMA champion Ricky Carmichael and seven-time AMA legend James Stewart. Onsite reporting will be provided by Will Christien and Jason Thomas, with additional insights during pre-race coverage from Adam Cianciarulo, Justin Brayton, Steven “Lurch” Scott, and Haley Shanley. Carmichael teams up with nine-time AMA champion Ryan Villopoto to discuss recent playoffs on their Title 24 podcast.
Race Day Live qualifying coverage from St. Louis will be streamed at 1:30 p.m. ET on Peacock. All elements of the SuperMotocross season, including live racing, qualifying, and replay access, will be available throughout the season through Peacock and additional digital channels.
What’s Next for the NASCAR Playoff and SuperMotocross Contenders?
Saturday night’s NASCAR Cup Series Bristol Playoff Race will finalize the field for the Round of 12, tightening the championship picture and creating added tension for drivers and teams facing the threat of elimination. Bristol’s unique brand of short-track intensity ensures fans will see bold strategies and emotional moments as well-known figures such as Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson, Bubba Wallace, and others vie for their playoff lives.
Meanwhile, as the SuperMotocross World Championship Playoffs progress in St. Louis, both championships promise to captivate motorsports fans with high-stakes competition and legacy-defining performances. With NBC Sports, USA Network, and Peacock delivering live coverage of these headline events, viewers have every opportunity to follow each dramatic turn as the playoffs reach their critical stages and new champions emerge.
