AJ Allmendinger Bristol Night Race pole is once again a reality as Allmendinger claimed the top spot for the Bass Pro Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway, breaking a ten-year drought since his last pole. He completed his qualifying lap in 15.117 seconds at a speed of 126.930 mph, marking his first pole position since Watkins Glen in 2015.
Front Row and Top Starters Preview
Ryan Blaney will start alongside Allmendinger, after a qualifying lap of 15.120 seconds at 126.905 mph. The remainder of the front five is made up of Cindric in third, Gibbs in fourth, and Larson in fifth, each aiming to capitalize on their starting speed at the Bristol event.
Playoff Contenders’ Starting Positions and Stakes
Several playoff drivers are positioned throughout the starting field. Hamlin will begin the race from sixth, followed by Byron in seventh and Wallace in eighth. Bell is set for ninth, with Berry rounding out the top ten. Chastain will begin from thirteenth, with Reddick in fourteenth and Bowman in fifteenth. Elliott, Logano, A. Dillon, and Van Gisbergen are set to start from the sixteenth, twenty-second, twenty-third, and twenty-eighth positions, respectively. The lowest among playoff drivers, Chase Briscoe, will start thirty-first.
Dillon, Van Gisbergen, Bowman, and Berry are currently below the cutline entering this elimination race. For Bowman and Berry, a win has become almost essential for advancement, while all four drivers could potentially move ahead on points if they receive help during the race.
Schedule and Format for Bristol Night Race
The highly anticipated Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on USA Network. The race will be conducted in three stages, ending at laps 125, 250, and the final at 500, setting a decisive and challenging format for both regular drivers and those facing elimination.
What the Results Mean for the Playoff Race
With the AJ Allmendinger Bristol Night Race pole win setting the stage, several key drivers including Blaney, Cindric, Gibbs, Larson, and Hamlin are well-placed to make an impact. The outcome could significantly influence the playoff picture, especially for contenders like Bowman, Berry, Dillon, and Van Gisbergen, who remain at risk in this crucial elimination event at Bristol Motor Speedway.
