NASCAR at Bristol: TV schedule, live stream, qualifying results, stage lengths, standings
Martin Truex Jr. could clinch the NASCAR Cup Series regular-season title Saturday night
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2 min read
NASCAR heads to Tennessee for night races in all three major series this week. And with just three races remaining before the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, a handful of notable drivers will be looking to clinch their shot at the title with a win Saturday night.
Three of those drivers have won at the short track before -- Matt Kenseth, 2016 Cup championship runner-up Joey Logano and NASCAR's most popular driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr. As far as bubble drivers go, Chase Elliott, Jamie McMurray and Kenseth are in on merit but no spot is safe without a win. Logano and Clint Bowyer are outside the playoffs currently. Bowyer has finished in the top 10 in three of his past four Bristol races and will look for continued success this weekend.
As for Junior, this could be his night. Despite poor starting position this week the No. 88 driver has finished in the top 10 in 16 of his 34 career starts on the short track in addition to a checkered flag in 2004. Saturday night will be his final start at Bristol Motor Speedway, where he'll be honored in many ways including a prerace salute, collector card giveaways at the gates and a commemorative program for attendees.
Our @BMSupdates weekend sweep in 2004 is one of the highlights of my career. Looking forward to trying again this weekend! #Appreci88ion pic.twitter.com/vJxd4rhj7u
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) August 16, 2017
Another junior that can make waves this weekend is Martin Truex. The No. 78 team will start the race inside the top 10 and is close to a regular-season championship and could clinch Saturday. Truex currently has a 129-point lead over second-place Kyle Larson and if he leaves Bristol with 121-point lead, he will be guaranteed the championship (unless he suffers major penalties from NASCAR).
Why is that important? Well, the regular-season champ earns an additional 15 playoff points toward the Cup championship. Truex already has 35 playoff points in comparison to Larson's 18 and seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson's 16.
How to watch the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race
Location: Bristol Motor Speedway
Date: Saturday, Aug. 19
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Length: 500 laps/266.5 miles
Stage 1: Ends on lap 125
Stage 2: Ends on lap 250
Final stage: Scheduled for lap 500
TV: NBC
Live stream: NBC Sports App
Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race qualifying results
- Erik Jones
- Kyle Larson
- Chase Elliott
- Matt Kenseth
- Martin Truex Jr.
- Denny Hamlin
- Joey Logano
- Clint Bowyer
- Ryan Blaney
- Jamie McMurray
- Daniel Suarez
- Ryan Newman
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
- Chris Buescher
- Austin Dillon
- Brad Keselowski
- Kyle Busch
- David Ragan
- Trevor Bayne
- Jimmie Johnson
- Ty Dillon
- AJ Allmendinger
- Danica Patrick
- Kurt Busch
- Michael McDowell
- Paul Menard
- Aric Almirola
- Kevin Harvick
- JJ Yeley
- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- Cole Whitt
- Landon Cassill
- Matt DiBenedetto
- Corey LaJoie
- BJ McLeod
- Gray Gaulding
- Jeffrey Earnhardt
- Reed Sorenson
- Joey Gase
- Timmy Hill
- Kasey Kahne (qualified third, made tire change)
BOLD - Denotes previous winners at Bristol Motor Speedway
2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoff points
POSITION | DRIVER | CAR # | PLAYOFF POINTS | STAGE WINS | RACE WINS |
1. | Martin Truex Jr. | 78 | 35 | 15 | 4 |
2. | Kyle Larson | 42 | 18 | 3 | 3 |
3. | Jimmie Johnson | 48 | 16 | 1 | 3 |
4. | Kyle Busch | 18 | 14 | 9 | 1 |
5. | Brad Keselowski | 2 | 14 | 4 | 2 |
6. | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | 17 | 10 | 0 | 2 |
7. | Ryan Blaney | 21 | 8 | 3 | 1 |
8. | Kevin Harvick | 4 | 8 | 3 | 1 |
9. | Denny Hamlin | 11 | 7 | 2 | 1 |
10. | Kurt Busch | 41 | 5 | 0 | 1 |
11. | Ryan Newman | 31 | 5 | 0 | 1 |
12. | Austin Dillon | 3 | 5 | 0 | 1 |
13. | Kasey Kahne | 5 | 5 | 0 | 1 |
14. | Chase Elliott | 24 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
15. | Matt Kenseth | 20 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
16. | Clint Bowyer | 14 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
17. | Daniel Suarez | 19 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
18. | Joey Logano | 22 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series regular-season standings
POSITION | DRIVER | CAR # | POINTS | BEHIND | WINS |
1. | Martin Truex Jr. | 78 | 933 | LEADER | 4 |
2. | Kyle Larson | 42 | 804 | 129 | 3 |
3. | Kyle Busch | 18 | 797 | 136 | 1 |
4. | Kevin Harvick | 4 | 787 | 146 | 1 |
5. | Brad Keselowski | 2 | 720 | 213 | 2 |
6. | Denny Hamlin | 11 | 710 | 223 | 1 |
7. | Chase Elliott | 24 | 685 | 248 | 0 |
8. | Jamie McMurray | 1 | 675 | 258 | 0 |
9. | Matt Kenseth | 20 | 654 | 279 | 0 |
10. | Clint Bowyer | 14 | 623 | 310 | 0 |
11. | Jimmie Johnson | 48 | 592 | 341 | 3 |
12. | Ryan Blaney | 21 | 592 | 341 | 1 |
13. | Joey Logano | 22 | 556 | 377 | 1 |
14. | Kurt Busch | 41 | 554 | 379 | 1 |
15. | Ryan Newman | 31 | 536 | 397 | 1 |
16. | Erik Jones | 77 | 524 | 409 | 0 |
Winless drivers who have won at upcoming tracks
Bristol: Kenseth, Earnhardt Jr., Logano (encumbered)
Darlington: Kenseth
Richmond: Kenseth, Bowyer, Earnhardt Jr., Logano (encumbered)
