The much-anticipated NASCAR Cup Series playoff cutoff race will take place Saturday night at Bristol Motor Speedway, marking the decisive end to the Round of 16. Drivers and fans alike are set for a dramatic evening under Tennessee lights, as contenders fight to keep their championship dreams alive at the famous short track.
Bass Pro Shops Night Race Details
The Bass Pro Shops Night Race is scheduled for September 13, 2025, beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET, televised on USA Network. Bristol Motor Speedway, renowned for its high-banked turns and electric atmosphere, will once again serve as the arena. This year’s race features 39 cars vying for 40 spots, and defending winner Kyle Larson will look to replicate his previous success. The event is broken into three stages at 125, 250, and 500 laps, adding layers of strategy for teams and drivers.
Key Times for NASCAR Fans
The action begins on Friday, September 12, with practice at 4:30 p.m. ET on truTV, immediately followed by qualifying at 5:40 p.m. ET, also on truTV. The main event unfolds Saturday, September 13, at 7:30 p.m. ET, bringing the playoff tension to a climax on USA Network as the race gets underway.
First Playoff Round Concludes at Bristol
The Bass Pro Shops Night Race is significant as the third race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, serving as the final opportunity for Round of 16 contenders to advance. The field will be cut to 12 drivers after this event, putting immense pressure on those near the elimination line. Josh Berry, after suffering two consecutive last-place finishes and a challenging opening lap at Darlington Raceway, now faces a must-win scenario to stay in contention.
Alex Bowman also finds himself in a critical position and must deliver a victory at Bristol to maintain his championship aspirations. The spotlight intensifies on both drivers, who have not yet claimed the top spot at this venue.
“dark. Next. Cutline. Below the Cutline: Bowman, Berry Likely in Must-Win Situation”
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Among those below the cutoff ahead of Saturday’s showdown are Berry, Austin Cindric, and Shane van Gisbergen. Notably, none of these three have ever finished within the top five at Bristol in their careers. Bowman, while having achieved three top-five and five top-10 finishes in 16 Bristol starts, still seeks his first victory in the NASCAR Cup Series at the historic track.
Tire Strategies Could Shift the Race Outcome
Tire wear has become a focal point at Bristol since a memorable spring 2024 race, where new tires gave competitors a decisive advantage, challenging drivers to manage rapid degradation. In the lead-up to this event, NASCAR announced that Goodyear will supply a newly developed right-side tire with a softer compound, intended to heighten tire wear and test endurance for both teams and drivers.
The effectiveness of this new tire will remain uncertain until the race unfolds, prompting teams to pay close attention and adapt rapidly as conditions become evident during the weekend.
“Next. Bristol Tires. Hamlin Hopes Rumors of Increased Tire Wear at Bristol Are True. dark”
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Intensity and Emotions in Bristol’s Tight Quarters
Bristol Motor Speedway, nicknamed “Thunder Valley,” has a storied reputation for producing high drama and emotional confrontations. With its tight 0.533-mile layout, close-quarters racing often results in heated clashes among NASCAR’s brightest stars. Over the years, iconic confrontations involving drivers like Terry Labonte, Dale Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Austin Cindric, Ward Burton, Tony Stewart, Matt Kenseth, and others have become part of racing folklore.
From helmet throws to rivalry-fueled bumping, these moments shape the track’s unique aura. As both veteran and rising drivers line up for the NASCAR Cup Series playoff cutoff race, fans and participants wonder if another unforgettable moment will be added to Bristol’s vibrant history on Saturday night.
The stakes at Bristol are higher than ever, with championship aspirations hanging in the balance and tensions set to reach new heights as the playoff field is narrowed. This race promises to test drivers’ skill, composure, and resilience, ensuring memorable action as NASCAR writes its next chapter under the Bristol lights.
