The race to claim the final three NASCAR playoff spots is in full swing, with drivers set for an evening ride at the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race on Saturday at Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee.
Saturday’s race from Bristol is scheduled to begin at approximately 7:43 p.m. ET.
NBC will televise the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race beginning with the pre-race ‘Countdown to Green’ at 7 p.m. ET, with race coverage starting at 7:30 p.m.
Rick Allen will call the race alongside analysts Steve Letarte and Jeff Burton. The race can be viewed online through NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app.
There are only three races left until the Monster Energy Cup playoffs begin. Sixteen drivers will qualify for the playoffs, and 13 already have clinched spots — Martin Truex Jr., Kyle Larson, Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, Brad Keselowski, Denny Hamlin, Jimmie Johnson, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Ryan Blaney, Kurt Busch, Ryan Newman, Kasey Kahne, and Austin Dillon.
The top drivers in points without a win, who could clinch a playoff spot with a win in Bristol include Chase Elliott, Jamie McMurray, Matt Kenseth, and Clint Bowyer.
Saturday’s night race is at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee, one of two races at this track this season. The Food City 500 was also held at Bristol on April 24, won by Jimmie Johnson, his second of three victories in 2017.
Kevin Harvick won the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race in 2016.
“I’ll be honest with you, I’m not worried about (2018) even really 1 percent anymore to be honest with you … I’m really concerned about 2017 and that’s the truth. Hopefully, we get a win, get in the playoffs and try to race for a championship. That’s our goal every year and really that’s what I’ve been concentrating on.”
-Matt Kenseth, vying for one of the final three playoff spots Saturday
