NASCAR holds its third race of the Cup Series playoffs – and its first elimination race of 2024 – Saturday night at Bristol Motor Speedway (7:30 p.m. ET, USA Network).
The 16-driver playoff field will be reduced to 12 following the Bass Pro Shops Night Race; the bottom four drivers in the playoff standings will be eliminated from championship contention.
But, the rest of the top five features some surprises. Three drivers who entered the playoffs below the top nine are now among the leaders. Austin Cindric sits second in the standings after starting the playoffs ranked 10th; Alex Bowman enters Bristol ranked fourth after starting 12th; and Daniel Suarez sits fifth after starting 11th.
There are also big surprises currently below the cutline. Denny Hamlin, who was one of the championship favorites most of the season, enters Saturday night’s race six points below the cutline. And two former Cup Series champions – Martin Truex Jr. (2017) and Brad Keselowski (2012) – currently sit below the top 12.
NASCAR playoff standings heading into Bristol
x-clinched spot in second round. Through two races; the bottom four drivers after the Bass Pro Shops Night Race will be eliminated.
Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing … 2,089
Austin Cindric, Team Penske … 2,086
x-Joey Logano, Team Penske … 2,084
Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports … 2,084
Daniel Suarez, Trackhouse Racing … 2,079
Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing … 2,073
Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports … 2,073
Ryan Blaney, Team Penske … 2,072
Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports … 2,069
William Bryon, Hendrick Motorsports … 2,068
Chase Briscoe, Stewart-Haas Racing … 2,049
Ty Gibbs, Joe Gibbs Racing … 2,049
Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing … 2,043
Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing … 2,037
Martin Truex Jr., Joe Gibbs Racing … 2,035
Harrison Burton, Wood Brothers Racing … 2,029
What is the full schedule for the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs?
Here is the schedule with dates, tracks, times and TV for each of the 10 races of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs (All times Eastern)
Sunday, Sept. 8: Atlanta Motor Speedway. Winner: Joey Logano
Sunday, Sept. 15: Watkins Glen International. Winner: Chris Buescher
Saturday, Sept. 21: Bristol Motor Speedway, USA, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 29: Kansas Speedway, USA, 3 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 6: Talladega Superspeedway, NBC, 2 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 13: Charlotte Roval, NBC, 2 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 20: Las Vegas Motor Speedway, NBC, 2:30 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 27: Homestead-Miami Speedway, NBC, 2:30 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 3: Martinsville Speedway, NBC, 2 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 10: Phoenix Raceway, NBC, 3 p.m.
