The engines are revving and anticipation is at a fever pitch as the NASCAR Cup Series storms into Bristol Motor Speedway for the Bass Pro Shops Night Race on September 13, 2025. This isn’t just any Saturday night shootout—it’s the first elimination race of the 2025 Cup playoffs, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. For drivers, teams, and fans alike, Bristol’s famed 0.533-mile concrete coliseum is set to deliver another unforgettable night under the lights.
Thirty-nine drivers make up the full entry list for this weekend’s showdown, each ready to tackle the high banks and short-track chaos that only Bristol can provide. The roster reads like a who’s who of NASCAR’s best, including Ross Chastain (#1), Austin Cindric (#2), Austin Dillon (#3), Noah Gragson (#4), Kyle Larson (#5), Brad Keselowski (#6), Justin Haley (#7), Kyle Busch (#8), Chase Elliott (#9), Ty Dillon (#10), Denny Hamlin (#11), Ryan Blaney (#12), AJ Allmendinger (#16), Chris Buescher (#17), Chase Briscoe (#19), Christopher Bell (#20), Josh Berry (#21), Joey Logano (#22), Bubba Wallace (#23), William Byron (#24), Austin Hill (#33), Todd Gilliland, and many more. With such a stacked field, the action promises to be relentless from start to finish.
The race is more than just another stop on the calendar—it’s the culmination of the Cup Series’ Round of 16, with playoff dreams on the line. For some, Bristol represents a golden opportunity to punch a ticket to the next round; for others, it’s a last-ditch effort to keep championship hopes alive. The tension is thick, and every lap will matter as the checkered flag looms.
Preparation for the big night kicks off on Friday, September 12, with a 60-minute practice session split into two 25-minute groups, separated by a 10-minute break. This gives teams a precious window to dial in their setups and get a feel for Bristol’s unique rhythm. Then, at 5:40 p.m. ET, qualifying takes center stage. Unlike the marathon sessions at some tracks, Bristol’s qualifying is a one-round, two-lap dash—blink and you’ll miss it. The order is determined by a metric that blends the previous race finish by owner (70%) and current owner points position (30%), rewarding both recent performance and season-long consistency.
Among the drivers slated to roll off for qualifying are Corey Heim (#67), Chad Finchum (#66), Austin Hill (#33), Ty Dillon (#10), Daniel Suárez (#99), Riley Herbst (#35), Todd Gilliland (#34), Zane Smith (#38), Noah Gragson (#4), Cody Ware (#51), Cole Custer (#41), Justin Haley (#7), Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (#47), AJ Allmendinger (#16), Erik Jones (#43), Kyle Busch (#8), Brad Keselowski (#6), Carson Hocevar (#77), Michael McDowell (#71), Ryan Preece (#60), Ty Gibbs (#54), John Hunter Nemechek (#42), Chris Buescher (#17), Josh Berry (#21), Alex Bowman (#48), Shane van Gisbergen (#88), Ross Chastain (#1), Austin Cindric (#2), Austin Dillon (#3), Tyler Reddick (#45), William Byron (#24), Kyle Larson (#5), Christopher Bell (#20), Bubba Wallace (#23), Joey Logano (#22), Chase Elliott (#9), Ryan Blaney (#12), Chase Briscoe (#19), and Denny Hamlin (#11). Each has their own story, their own reason to push to the absolute limit.
And while the qualifying order sets the stage, all eyes are on Saturday night’s main event, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. Fans can catch every moment live on USA Network, HBO Max, PRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, and the NBC Sports App. It’s not just the Cup Series in action—Bristol also hosts the Xfinity and Craftsman Truck Series Playoffs throughout the weekend, making for a jam-packed festival of racing excitement.
But who’s the favorite to conquer Bristol’s bullring this year? According to DraftKings Sportsbook as of September 10, the odds-on favorite is none other than Kyle Larson, coming in at +265. Larson’s prowess on short tracks and his aggressive style make him a natural pick, but he’s far from a lock. Denny Hamlin, fresh off a victory at Gateway that secured his place in the next playoff round, sits at +400. Ryan Blaney (+600), Christopher Bell (+750), William Byron (+1000), and Chase Briscoe (+1000) are all in the mix, with Chase Elliott (+1100) and a host of others not far behind. The betting board is deep, with longshots like Ty Dillon and Riley Herbst at +80000, and true underdogs such as Cody Ware and Chad Finchum at +100000.
Hamlin’s recent triumph at Gateway has given him a shot of momentum, but Bristol is a different beast altogether. The track’s tight confines and unforgiving walls mean that even favorites can find trouble in a heartbeat. As Hamlin himself acknowledged, “It’s never over until it’s over at Bristol.” The unpredictability is part of the allure—one slip, one mistimed move, and a driver’s playoff run could be in jeopardy.
Adding to the spectacle, the cars themselves will dazzle under the Bristol lights, sporting special paint schemes designed for maximum impact. Fans will be treated to a visual feast as their favorite drivers roar past, each machine gleaming in the glow of the stadium’s floodlights. The excitement extends beyond the Cup Series, with the Xfinity and Craftsman Truck Series Playoffs also unfolding at Bristol, ensuring that the action never lets up.
Qualifying and practice will be crucial, but nothing compares to the intensity of race night. Bristol’s history is littered with dramatic moments—tempers flaring, rivalries igniting, and dreams made or shattered in the blink of an eye. The Round of 16 elimination only heightens the drama, as playoff contenders battle not just for the win but for survival. For some, a strong finish means advancing to the next round and keeping championship hopes alive. For others, the night could mark the end of their 2025 title chase.
Fans are already buzzing about the possibilities. Can Kyle Larson live up to his favorite status and tame the Bristol night? Will Denny Hamlin’s Gateway momentum carry him to another victory? Or will a dark horse emerge from the pack, stunning the field and rewriting the playoff script? There are no easy answers, but that’s exactly what makes Bristol so electrifying.
As the lights come on and the engines roar to life, the only certainty is that the Bass Pro Shops Night Race will deliver high drama, fierce competition, and memories that will last long after the checkered flag falls. With playoff fates hanging in the balance and the world watching, Bristol Motor Speedway is once again the ultimate proving ground for NASCAR’s best. Buckle up—Saturday night’s all right for racing, and this one’s sure to keep everyone on the edge of their seat.
