Shane van Gisbergen’s campaign in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 16 concluded at Bristol after he finished 26th in the Night Race, a result that marks an end to his challenging run. The NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs results also saw Alex Bowman, Austin Dillon, and Josh Berry eliminated from the competition after a tense and problematic race marked by multiple incidents.
Playoff Hopes Fade for Van Gisbergen and Others
After opening playoff results of 32nd at Darlington and 25th at Gateway, Shane van Gisbergen arrived at Bristol with slim hopes of progression. Despite his challenging stint, the silver lining remains that van Gisbergen cannot fall below 16th in the point standings. Alex Bowman, Austin Dillon, and Josh Berry faced similar fates, as their own efforts to advance were ultimately cut short in Tennessee’s famed night event.
Event Marked by Early and Frequent On-Track Drama
The race was characterized by difficult conditions, with tire wear surfacing as a major challenge early on and forcing drivers to adapt to survival tactics. Josh Berry’s playoff push officially ended as his car caught fire on lap 80 of the 500-lap contest. Meanwhile, Alex Bowman managed to recover from an early spin, and Ryan Blaney edged Ty Gibbs for a competitive stage win. Van Gisbergen’s struggles continued throughout, placing him 29th at the race’s first scheduled break.
Multiple Incidents Shake Up Bristol Night Race
The caution flag waved on lap 147 after Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Erik Jones, and Michael McDowell spun, which van Gisbergen narrowly avoided. However, his day worsened on lap 238 when William Byron spun him from the 33rd position in turn three, resulting in Byron losing his lucky dog free pass due to the incident. Ty Gibbs secured the stage win as van Gisbergen slipped to 34th at the conclusion of that segment.
The chaos persisted with Noah Gragson being spun by Todd Gilliland, and Chase Elliot turned around by John Hunter Nemechek. Stenhouse Jr. experienced more trouble after contact from Bubba Wallace, while Kyle Larson spun and struck the wall after earlier issues. A crash involving AJ Allmendinger and Denny Hamlin, who lost a wheel, brought out yet another caution shortly after.
Lead Changes and Late Crashes Define Race’s Closing Stages
In the final laps, a multi-car accident triggered by leader Brad Keselowski sent Bubba Wallace into the wall and set up a dramatic finish as teams navigated differing tire strategies. Ultimately, Christopher Bell seized the victory ahead of Brad Keselowski and Zane Smith, claiming the top spot at Bristol.
Looking Ahead to the Next Round in New Hampshire
As the field shifts to the Round of 12, the next event will be hosted at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Van Gisbergen, reflecting on his previous visit, placed 18th at the venue during a NASCAR Xfinity Series race in June. The remaining playoff drivers are now poised to adapt as the stakes rise, with each event becoming increasingly critical in the championship battle.
