Christopher Bell held off a furious Brad Keselowski to win the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway, capturing his fourth NASCAR Cup Series victory of 2025. In a dramatic 500-lap playoff elimination race, Bell kept his No. 20 Toyota steady under relentless pressure, securing his first win since March at Phoenix. The high-banked short track delivered chaos, tire strategy challenges, and late-race incidents that reshaped the Cup Series Playoffs, eliminating four drivers and setting the stage for a high-stakes Round of 12.
Key Highlights
Christopher Bell wins his fourth 2025 race and first since March, surviving a last-lap bump from Brad Keselowski.
Ty Gibbs leads 201 laps but finishes 10th after a late pit road mistake and flat tire.
Alex Bowman, Josh Berry, Shane van Gisbergen, and Austin Dillon are eliminated from the Cup Series Playoffs.
Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson suffer late incidents, finishing outside the top 30.
Zane Smith earns a career-best third-place finish, joining Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano in the top five.
Bell Outlasts Keselowski in a Short-Track Classic
Bell’s victory came after a careful and patient 500-lap effort, leading just 12 laps but making them count when it mattered most. On the final lap, Keselowski tried a bump-and-run entering Turn 3, but Bell kept his car under control to cross the finish line first.
“Godspeed Bell 🤝” – Fan Reaction
Keselowski’s frustration was evident on pit road as he threw his gloves against his car after the 0.343-second loss. Fans noted the tense finish.
“Bell only won because of a last-restart misstep — still, what a finish!” – Fan Reaction
“Damn, that late-race chaos had everyone on edge. Bristol never disappoints.” – Fan Reaction
Playoff Drama and Tire Strategy
Saturday’s event was the final race of the Round of 16, and it produced significant playoff implications. Alex Bowman, Josh Berry, Shane van Gisbergen, and Austin Dillon were eliminated despite some strong performances throughout the season. Ty Gibbs led a race-high 201 laps and appeared destined for his first career Cup win before a late pit road mistake and a flat right-front tire dropped him to 10th.
“Not sure how I feel about these tires. Exciting, but feels a bit artificial.” – Fan Reaction
Teams grappled with Goodyear’s new softer right-side compound, which produced heavier tire wear early in the race. Additional tire sets were issued for the final stage, influencing pit strategy and race outcomes.
Incidents Shape the Field
Bristol’s steep banking and tight turns contributed to several notable incidents. Kyle Larson’s playoff contention ended when contact from Ricky Stenhouse Jr. sent him into Daniel Suárez, breaking the No. 5 Chevrolet’s right-rear toe link. Larson spun into the inside wall and finished 32nd.
Denny Hamlin suffered a right-front wheel failure and collided with AJ Allmendinger, finishing 31st. Chase Elliott was also involved in a heavy impact with John Hunter Nemechek, which caused significant damage to his No. 9 Chevrolet, although he advanced to the Round of 12 on points.
“Larson drove nearly 200 laps with a broken tow link and still stayed competitive — unreal.” – Fan Reaction
“Tech’s done. Everyone passed. Great race overall.” – Fan Reaction
Austin Cindric’s late-race car fire drew attention from fans, prompting Cindric to jokingly respond:
“I was going to wait until I saw a color other than smoky gray 😭😂” – Austin Cindric
News in Brief: Bass Pro Shops Night Race Playoff Drama Has Fans Fired Up
Christopher Bell won the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol, claiming his fourth 2025 Cup Series victory and holding off Brad Keselowski in a dramatic final lap. Ty Gibbs led 201 laps but fell to 10th due to a late pit road mistake and flat tire. Playoff eliminations included Alex Bowman, Josh Berry, Shane van Gisbergen, and Austin Dillon. Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, and Chase Elliott suffered late incidents, while Zane Smith earned a career-best third.
ALSO READ: NASCAR 2025 Bass Pro Shops Night Race: Bristol Playoff Schedule Revealed
