Saturday’s race featured 14 cautions and 36 lead changes, but it ended with another Joe Gibbs Racing driver in Victory Lane. Carson Hocevar, Zane Smith, and Ty Gibbs all had a chance at winning their first win, and several playoff drivers had to sweat as misfortune found them.
Christopher Bell’s may seem predictable, but the race was anything but as there were constant plot twists and movement throughout the field. Goodyear had to provide an extra set of tires mid-race, and teams were still running out by the end.
Here’s a look at the biggest winners and losers from one of the most thrilling Bristol Night Races in years:
WINNER: Christopher Bell is back on top as JGR sweeps Round of 16
Watch: Christopher Bell: ‘Tonight, it’s us!’ after Bristol victory
Bell left Gateway very upset as he once again missed out with a race-winning car. But Bristol was finally his turn as the driver of the No. 20 earned his first win since early March, taking the win with a three-wide pass for the lead on the final restart. His triumph means JGR swept the entire first round with three different drivers.
LOSER: Bump, but no run for Brad Keselowski
Watch: Bell moves Smith, holds off Keselowski for Bristol Night Race victory
Keselowski was leading when the final caution flew, but after pitting for fresh rubber, he simply chose the wrong lane. He was on the outside, but when the entire front row pushed up the track in Turn 1, it was Bell who slipped by. However, the RFK co-owner still had a shot as he ran Bell down, performing a bump-and-run in the final corner. In the older generation of car, that would have handed him the win, but Bell’s car took the hit and carried on, capturing the checkered flag. It was yet another race where Keselowski saw a win slip through his fingers, leaving him visibly frustrated.
WINNER: No fire or smoke was enough to stop Austin Cindric
Austin Cindric, Team Penske Ford
Photo by: Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
When the No. 2 Team Penske erupted in flames inside the right-front fender, most people thought Cindric’s race was over. However, despite the cockpit filling with smoke and fire extinguisher spray, he carried on. He finished 30th, but there was plenty to celebrate as that was enough for him to narrowly escape elimination.
LOSER: Carson Hocevar denied by an untimely yellow
Carson Hocevar, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
Photo by: Samuel Corum / Getty Images
Hocevar and the No. 77 team nailed the strategy, and he was flying through the field in the closing laps. If it had stayed green, he likely would have secured his first career win. However, that’s not what happened as a late-race caution forced him to stay out with no tires left in the pits. He was leading with four laps to go, but there was nothing he could do as he fell back to seventh.
WINNER: Alex Bowman and Team Hendrick leave Bristol empty-handed
Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Photo by: Jeffrey Vest / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Bowman was the only driver below the cutline who had a real chance on Saturday night, but a good day would not suffice. He had to win, and the No. 48 remained in contention for most of the race. Several drivers who spent time on the bubble watched him nervously as the race progressed, including Ross Chastain, Cindric, and even Bowman’s Hendrick teammate Chase Elliott. Unfortunately, he also ran out of tires. He restarted third for the final restart, but slipped back to eighth as a result, ending his playoff run. There wasn’t much to be excited about for HMS, as both Elliott and Kyle Larson wrecked, and even William Byron suffered nose damage.
LOSER: Denny Hamlin loses a wheel and may lose crew members
Denny Hamlin loses a wheel, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Photo by: Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Hamlin was one of the loudest voices calling for increased tire wear, but Bristol did not really go his way. He got pushed around a lot, and when a wheel separated from his car, he caused significant damage to the No. 11 car. But the worst part wasn’t the wreck itself. If NASCAR deems that it came off as a result of being improperly secured, then he will start the next round without key pit crew members.
WINNER: Goodyear delivers on promise to bring a tire that wears
Goodyear tires
Photo by: Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Goodyear has been trying to recreate the event’s of the Bristol race from the spring of 2024, but after daytime practice, it appeared that they failed. However, when the sun went down and the track temperature cooled, tires immediately began cording within 50 laps in a wild Cup race at Bristol. There was nonstop action, masking the known issues with the Next Gen car on short tracks, and creating a thrilling showdown for the ages. 14 different drivers took a turn out front with 36 lead changes. Earlier this year, there were just four lead changes between four drivers.
LOSER: An unforced error by Ty Gibbs means he is 0-116
Ty Gibbs, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Photo by: Jonathan Bachman – Getty Images
Gibbs has made 116 starts at the Cup level, most of which came with Joe Gibbs Racing. Shockingly, the 2022 Xfinity Series champion still hasn’t found his way to Victory Lane. Bristol really looked like his night, as he led 201 of 500 laps — a record for him. Unfortunately, he made an unforced error during the final round of green-flag pit stops, blowing the entry to the pits. He was forced to go back around with a flat right-front tire, and finished tenth in the end.
NASCAR CupMaking sense of NASCAR’s latest Bristol ‘chaos tire’ race
NASCAR CupOn fire and inhaling smoke, Austin Cindric barely escapes playoff elimination
NASCAR CupShane van Gisbergen: “I blame myself” for NASCAR playoff elimination
NASCAR CupChase Elliott advances into next playoff round despite rare DNF at Bristol
NASCAR CupBrad Keselowski: Bump-and-run “didn’t do anything” in Bristol loss
NASCAR CupJosh Berry eliminated from playoffs with fiery early exit at Bristol
NASCAR CupThe reset NASCAR Cup playoff standings after Bristol elimination race
In this article
Be the first to know and subscribe for real-time news email updates on these topics
Saturday’s race featured 14 cautions and 36 lead changes, but it ended with another Joe Gibbs Racing driver in Victory Lane. Carson Hocevar, Zane Smith, and Ty Gibbs all had a chance at winning their first win, and several playoff drivers had to sweat as misfortune found them.
Christopher Bell’s may seem predictable, but the race was anything but as there were constant plot twists and movement throughout the field. Goodyear had to provide an extra set of tires mid-race, and teams were still running out by the end.
Here’s a look at the biggest winners and losers from one of the most thrilling Bristol Night Races in years:
WINNER: Christopher Bell is back on top as JGR sweeps Round of 16
Watch: Christopher Bell: ‘Tonight, it’s us!’ after Bristol victory
Bell left Gateway very upset as he once again missed out with a race-winning car. But Bristol was finally his turn as the driver of the No. 20 earned his first win since early March, taking the win with a three-wide pass for the lead on the final restart. His triumph means JGR swept the entire first round with three different drivers.
LOSER: Bump, but no run for Brad Keselowski
Watch: Bell moves Smith, holds off Keselowski for Bristol Night Race victory
Keselowski was leading when the final caution flew, but after pitting for fresh rubber, he simply chose the wrong lane. He was on the outside, but when the entire front row pushed up the track in Turn 1, it was Bell who slipped by. However, the RFK co-owner still had a shot as he ran Bell down, performing a bump-and-run in the final corner. In the older generation of car, that would have handed him the win, but Bell’s car took the hit and carried on, capturing the checkered flag. It was yet another race where Keselowski saw a win slip through his fingers, leaving him visibly frustrated.
WINNER: No fire or smoke was enough to stop Austin Cindric
Austin Cindric, Team Penske Ford
Photo by: Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
When the No. 2 Team Penske erupted in flames inside the right-front fender, most people thought Cindric’s race was over. However, despite the cockpit filling with smoke and fire extinguisher spray, he carried on. He finished 30th, but there was plenty to celebrate as that was enough for him to narrowly escape elimination.
LOSER: Carson Hocevar denied by an untimely yellow
Carson Hocevar, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
Photo by: Samuel Corum / Getty Images
Hocevar and the No. 77 team nailed the strategy, and he was flying through the field in the closing laps. If it had stayed green, he likely would have secured his first career win. However, that’s not what happened as a late-race caution forced him to stay out with no tires left in the pits. He was leading with four laps to go, but there was nothing he could do as he fell back to seventh.
WINNER: Alex Bowman and Team Hendrick leave Bristol empty-handed
Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Photo by: Jeffrey Vest / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Bowman was the only driver below the cutline who had a real chance on Saturday night, but a good day would not suffice. He had to win, and the No. 48 remained in contention for most of the race. Several drivers who spent time on the bubble watched him nervously as the race progressed, including Ross Chastain, Cindric, and even Bowman’s Hendrick teammate Chase Elliott. Unfortunately, he also ran out of tires. He restarted third for the final restart, but slipped back to eighth as a result, ending his playoff run. There wasn’t much to be excited about for HMS, as both Elliott and Kyle Larson wrecked, and even William Byron suffered nose damage.
LOSER: Denny Hamlin loses a wheel and may lose crew members
Denny Hamlin loses a wheel, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Photo by: Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Hamlin was one of the loudest voices calling for increased tire wear, but Bristol did not really go his way. He got pushed around a lot, and when a wheel separated from his car, he caused significant damage to the No. 11 car. But the worst part wasn’t the wreck itself. If NASCAR deems that it came off as a result of being improperly secured, then he will start the next round without key pit crew members.
WINNER: Goodyear delivers on promise to bring a tire that wears
Goodyear tires
Photo by: Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Goodyear has been trying to recreate the event’s of the Bristol race from the spring of 2024, but after daytime practice, it appeared that they failed. However, when the sun went down and the track temperature cooled, tires immediately began cording within 50 laps in a wild Cup race at Bristol. There was nonstop action, masking the known issues with the Next Gen car on short tracks, and creating a thrilling showdown for the ages. 14 different drivers took a turn out front with 36 lead changes. Earlier this year, there were just four lead changes between four drivers.
LOSER: An unforced error by Ty Gibbs means he is 0-116
Ty Gibbs, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Photo by: Jonathan Bachman – Getty Images
Gibbs has made 116 starts at the Cup level, most of which came with Joe Gibbs Racing. Shockingly, the 2022 Xfinity Series champion still hasn’t found his way to Victory Lane. Bristol really looked like his night, as he led 201 of 500 laps — a record for him. Unfortunately, he made an unforced error during the final round of green-flag pit stops, blowing the entry to the pits. He was forced to go back around with a flat right-front tire, and finished tenth in the end.
-
NASCAR CupMaking sense of NASCAR’s latest Bristol ‘chaos tire’ race
-
NASCAR CupOn fire and inhaling smoke, Austin Cindric barely escapes playoff elimination
-
NASCAR CupShane van Gisbergen: “I blame myself” for NASCAR playoff elimination
-
NASCAR CupChase Elliott advances into next playoff round despite rare DNF at Bristol
-
NASCAR CupBrad Keselowski: Bump-and-run “didn’t do anything” in Bristol loss
-
NASCAR CupJosh Berry eliminated from playoffs with fiery early exit at Bristol
-
NASCAR CupThe reset NASCAR Cup playoff standings after Bristol elimination race
In this article
Be the first to know and subscribe for real-time news email updates on these topics
Saturday’s race featured 14 cautions and 36 lead changes, but it ended with another Joe Gibbs Racing driver in Victory Lane. Carson Hocevar, Zane Smith, and Ty Gibbs all had a chance at winning their first win, and several playoff drivers had to sweat as misfortune found them.
Christopher Bell’s may seem predictable, but the race was anything but as there were constant plot twists and movement throughout the field. Goodyear had to provide an extra set of tires mid-race, and teams were still running out by the end.
Here’s a look at the biggest winners and losers from one of the most thrilling Bristol Night Races in years:
WINNER: Christopher Bell is back on top as JGR sweeps Round of 16
Watch: Christopher Bell: ‘Tonight, it’s us!’ after Bristol victory
Bell left Gateway very upset as he once again missed out with a race-winning car. But Bristol was finally his turn as the driver of the No. 20 earned his first win since early March, taking the win with a three-wide pass for the lead on the final restart. His triumph means JGR swept the entire first round with three different drivers.
LOSER: Bump, but no run for Brad Keselowski
Watch: Bell moves Smith, holds off Keselowski for Bristol Night Race victory
Keselowski was leading when the final caution flew, but after pitting for fresh rubber, he simply chose the wrong lane. He was on the outside, but when the entire front row pushed up the track in Turn 1, it was Bell who slipped by. However, the RFK co-owner still had a shot as he ran Bell down, performing a bump-and-run in the final corner. In the older generation of car, that would have handed him the win, but Bell’s car took the hit and carried on, capturing the checkered flag. It was yet another race where Keselowski saw a win slip through his fingers, leaving him visibly frustrated.
WINNER: No fire or smoke was enough to stop Austin Cindric
Austin Cindric, Team Penske Ford
Photo by: Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
When the No. 2 Team Penske erupted in flames inside the right-front fender, most people thought Cindric’s race was over. However, despite the cockpit filling with smoke and fire extinguisher spray, he carried on. He finished 30th, but there was plenty to celebrate as that was enough for him to narrowly escape elimination.
LOSER: Carson Hocevar denied by an untimely yellow
Carson Hocevar, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
Photo by: Samuel Corum / Getty Images
Hocevar and the No. 77 team nailed the strategy, and he was flying through the field in the closing laps. If it had stayed green, he likely would have secured his first career win. However, that’s not what happened as a late-race caution forced him to stay out with no tires left in the pits. He was leading with four laps to go, but there was nothing he could do as he fell back to seventh.
WINNER: Alex Bowman and Team Hendrick leave Bristol empty-handed
Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Photo by: Jeffrey Vest / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Bowman was the only driver below the cutline who had a real chance on Saturday night, but a good day would not suffice. He had to win, and the No. 48 remained in contention for most of the race. Several drivers who spent time on the bubble watched him nervously as the race progressed, including Ross Chastain, Cindric, and even Bowman’s Hendrick teammate Chase Elliott. Unfortunately, he also ran out of tires. He restarted third for the final restart, but slipped back to eighth as a result, ending his playoff run. There wasn’t much to be excited about for HMS, as both Elliott and Kyle Larson wrecked, and even William Byron suffered nose damage.
LOSER: Denny Hamlin loses a wheel and may lose crew members
Denny Hamlin loses a wheel, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Photo by: Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Hamlin was one of the loudest voices calling for increased tire wear, but Bristol did not really go his way. He got pushed around a lot, and when a wheel separated from his car, he caused significant damage to the No. 11 car. But the worst part wasn’t the wreck itself. If NASCAR deems that it came off as a result of being improperly secured, then he will start the next round without key pit crew members.
WINNER: Goodyear delivers on promise to bring a tire that wears
Goodyear tires
Photo by: Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Goodyear has been trying to recreate the event’s of the Bristol race from the spring of 2024, but after daytime practice, it appeared that they failed. However, when the sun went down and the track temperature cooled, tires immediately began cording within 50 laps in a wild Cup race at Bristol. There was nonstop action, masking the known issues with the Next Gen car on short tracks, and creating a thrilling showdown for the ages. 14 different drivers took a turn out front with 36 lead changes. Earlier this year, there were just four lead changes between four drivers.
LOSER: An unforced error by Ty Gibbs means he is 0-116
Ty Gibbs, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Photo by: Jonathan Bachman – Getty Images
Gibbs has made 116 starts at the Cup level, most of which came with Joe Gibbs Racing. Shockingly, the 2022 Xfinity Series champion still hasn’t found his way to Victory Lane. Bristol really looked like his night, as he led 201 of 500 laps — a record for him. Unfortunately, he made an unforced error during the final round of green-flag pit stops, blowing the entry to the pits. He was forced to go back around with a flat right-front tire, and finished tenth in the end.
-
NASCAR CupMaking sense of NASCAR’s latest Bristol ‘chaos tire’ race
-
NASCAR CupOn fire and inhaling smoke, Austin Cindric barely escapes playoff elimination
-
NASCAR CupShane van Gisbergen: “I blame myself” for NASCAR playoff elimination
-
NASCAR CupChase Elliott advances into next playoff round despite rare DNF at Bristol
-
NASCAR CupBrad Keselowski: Bump-and-run “didn’t do anything” in Bristol loss
-
NASCAR CupJosh Berry eliminated from playoffs with fiery early exit at Bristol
-
NASCAR CupThe reset NASCAR Cup playoff standings after Bristol elimination race
In this article
Be the first to know and subscribe for real-time news email updates on these topics
Saturday’s race featured 14 cautions and 36 lead changes, but it ended with another Joe Gibbs Racing driver in Victory Lane. Carson Hocevar, Zane Smith, and Ty Gibbs all had a chance at winning their first win, and several playoff drivers had to sweat as misfortune found them.
Christopher Bell’s may seem predictable, but the race was anything but as there were constant plot twists and movement throughout the field. Goodyear had to provide an extra set of tires mid-race, and teams were still running out by the end.
Here’s a look at the biggest winners and losers from one of the most thrilling Bristol Night Races in years:
WINNER: Christopher Bell is back on top as JGR sweeps Round of 16
Watch: Christopher Bell: ‘Tonight, it’s us!’ after Bristol victory
Bell left Gateway very upset as he once again missed out with a race-winning car. But Bristol was finally his turn as the driver of the No. 20 earned his first win since early March, taking the win with a three-wide pass for the lead on the final restart. His triumph means JGR swept the entire first round with three different drivers.
LOSER: Bump, but no run for Brad Keselowski
Watch: Bell moves Smith, holds off Keselowski for Bristol Night Race victory
Keselowski was leading when the final caution flew, but after pitting for fresh rubber, he simply chose the wrong lane. He was on the outside, but when the entire front row pushed up the track in Turn 1, it was Bell who slipped by. However, the RFK co-owner still had a shot as he ran Bell down, performing a bump-and-run in the final corner. In the older generation of car, that would have handed him the win, but Bell’s car took the hit and carried on, capturing the checkered flag. It was yet another race where Keselowski saw a win slip through his fingers, leaving him visibly frustrated.
WINNER: No fire or smoke was enough to stop Austin Cindric
Austin Cindric, Team Penske Ford
Photo by: Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
When the No. 2 Team Penske erupted in flames inside the right-front fender, most people thought Cindric’s race was over. However, despite the cockpit filling with smoke and fire extinguisher spray, he carried on. He finished 30th, but there was plenty to celebrate as that was enough for him to narrowly escape elimination.
LOSER: Carson Hocevar denied by an untimely yellow
Carson Hocevar, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
Photo by: Samuel Corum / Getty Images
Hocevar and the No. 77 team nailed the strategy, and he was flying through the field in the closing laps. If it had stayed green, he likely would have secured his first career win. However, that’s not what happened as a late-race caution forced him to stay out with no tires left in the pits. He was leading with four laps to go, but there was nothing he could do as he fell back to seventh.
WINNER: Alex Bowman and Team Hendrick leave Bristol empty-handed
Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Photo by: Jeffrey Vest / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Bowman was the only driver below the cutline who had a real chance on Saturday night, but a good day would not suffice. He had to win, and the No. 48 remained in contention for most of the race. Several drivers who spent time on the bubble watched him nervously as the race progressed, including Ross Chastain, Cindric, and even Bowman’s Hendrick teammate Chase Elliott. Unfortunately, he also ran out of tires. He restarted third for the final restart, but slipped back to eighth as a result, ending his playoff run. There wasn’t much to be excited about for HMS, as both Elliott and Kyle Larson wrecked, and even William Byron suffered nose damage.
LOSER: Denny Hamlin loses a wheel and may lose crew members
Denny Hamlin loses a wheel, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Photo by: Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Hamlin was one of the loudest voices calling for increased tire wear, but Bristol did not really go his way. He got pushed around a lot, and when a wheel separated from his car, he caused significant damage to the No. 11 car. But the worst part wasn’t the wreck itself. If NASCAR deems that it came off as a result of being improperly secured, then he will start the next round without key pit crew members.
WINNER: Goodyear delivers on promise to bring a tire that wears
Goodyear tires
Photo by: Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Goodyear has been trying to recreate the event’s of the Bristol race from the spring of 2024, but after daytime practice, it appeared that they failed. However, when the sun went down and the track temperature cooled, tires immediately began cording within 50 laps in a wild Cup race at Bristol. There was nonstop action, masking the known issues with the Next Gen car on short tracks, and creating a thrilling showdown for the ages. 14 different drivers took a turn out front with 36 lead changes. Earlier this year, there were just four lead changes between four drivers.
LOSER: An unforced error by Ty Gibbs means he is 0-116
Ty Gibbs, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Photo by: Jonathan Bachman – Getty Images
Gibbs has made 116 starts at the Cup level, most of which came with Joe Gibbs Racing. Shockingly, the 2022 Xfinity Series champion still hasn’t found his way to Victory Lane. Bristol really looked like his night, as he led 201 of 500 laps — a record for him. Unfortunately, he made an unforced error during the final round of green-flag pit stops, blowing the entry to the pits. He was forced to go back around with a flat right-front tire, and finished tenth in the end.
-
NASCAR CupMaking sense of NASCAR’s latest Bristol ‘chaos tire’ race
-
NASCAR CupOn fire and inhaling smoke, Austin Cindric barely escapes playoff elimination
-
NASCAR CupShane van Gisbergen: “I blame myself” for NASCAR playoff elimination
-
NASCAR CupChase Elliott advances into next playoff round despite rare DNF at Bristol
-
NASCAR CupBrad Keselowski: Bump-and-run “didn’t do anything” in Bristol loss
-
NASCAR CupJosh Berry eliminated from playoffs with fiery early exit at Bristol
-
NASCAR CupThe reset NASCAR Cup playoff standings after Bristol elimination race
In this article
Be the first to know and subscribe for real-time news email updates on these topics
