Kyle Larson is 5/1 favorite to win at Bristol

5 KYLE LARSON   Age: 31 (July 31, 1992)   Hometown: Elk Grove, California   Resides: Mooresville, North Carolina   Crew Chief: Cliff Daniels   Standings: 1st              No. 5 Valvoline Chevrolet Camaro ZL1   TOP FIVE AT KANSAS: Kyle Larson led the way for Hendrick Motorsports with a fourth-place result in Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway. After qualifying on the front row, he quickly jumped to the lead. The 31-year-old driver went on to score his fourth stage win of the season and would pace the field for a race-high 99 laps. Despite finishing outside the top 10 in stage two, Larson rallied in the final stage to earn a fourth-place result in his 100th Cup Series start with Hendrick Motorsports.  ATOP THE STANDINGS: Following the second race of the 2023 Cup Series playoffs, Larson took the lead in the driver points standings. Larson’s first-place finish at Darlington Raceway (which locked him into the Round of 12) and his fourth-place finish at Kansas put him at the top with 2,117 points.   IN 2023: The driver of the No. 5 leads the series in top-five finishes (12) and average starting position (9.64) this season. He ranks as the second-best driver on restarts, based on data from Racing Insights. Larson has the third-most laps led (778), laps run in the top five (2,619), laps run in the top 10 (4,041) and is in a four-way tie for the third-most top-10 finishes (14). In addition, he has the fourth-best average running position (11.79).  BACK AT BRISTOL: This weekend, the Elk Grove, California, native returns to Bristol Motor Speedway for the famous night race. The Tennessee short track is where Larson has led the second-most laps (850) at any track in his Cup Series career, only 49 circuits behind Dover Motor Speedway. In 2021, he won the night race, taking the No. 5 Valvoline Chevrolet to victory lane. Since the start of 2017, which totals eight starts on Bristol’s concrete layout, Larson has the best average starting position (4.75), average finishing position (6.25) and most laps led (760). In that span, he is tied for the most stage wins (three), runner-up finishes (two), top-10s (seven) and pole positions (one).  STRONG ON SHORT TRACKS: This season, Larson has earned three victories on short tracks: Richmond Raceway, Martinsville Speedway and the exhibition All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Of all Cup Series drivers in the Next Gen era (since 2022) on short tracks, he has the best average finish (8.25), is tied for the most points-paying wins (two) and has the second-most points scored (295). In 49 career Cup Series starts on short tracks, Larson has four wins, 12 top-five finishes, 22 top-10s, three pole positions and 1,245 laps led. FOUR TIRES FAST: The No. 5 pit crew holds the fourth-fastest four-tire average pit stop time at 11.244 seconds. Their four-tire stop of 9.281 seconds on lap 93 in June's race at Nashville Superspeedway is the fifth-fastest four-tire stop of the season. The team’s five-man pit crew consists of Blaine Anderson (front-tire changer), R.J. Barnette (tire carrier), Brandon Harder (fueler), Brandon Johnson (jackman) and Calvin Teague (rear-tire changer). VALVOLINE ON BOARD: Valvoline will make its third and final appearance of 2023 as the primary sponsor of Larson’s No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 this weekend at Bristol. Valvoline Inc. (NYSE: VVV) is a leading worldwide marketer and supplier of premium branded lubricants and automotive services, with sales in more than 140 countries. Established in 1866, the company’s heritage spans more than 150 years, during which time it has developed powerful brand recognition across multiple product and service channels. Valvoline ranks as the No. 3 passenger car motor oil brand in the DIY market by volume. Off the track, Valvoline is the preferred lubricant of Hendrick Automotive Group, which operates 95 car dealerships across the United States. To see every angle of the No. 5 Valvoline Chevy, click here.  WIN A CHEVROLET COLORADO Z71: Want to drive Larson’s 2023 Chevrolet Colorado truck? The 2021 Cup Series champion is giving away his ride to one lucky winner. Fans can donate now to enter a drawing for a chance to take home the Z71 Crew Cab 4WD package with custom features and styling. This special sweepstakes raises funding for the Kyle Larson Foundation’s “DRIVE FOR 5” campaign that supports youth, families and communities in need. The campaign is nearing its fundraising goal of $500,000. Click here to check out this sweet custom ride and enter to win today. The drawing closes on Sunday, Dec. 3, and the winner will be chosen on Monday, Dec. 11.  Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on returning to the concrete track of Bristol Motor Speedway: "The night race at Bristol (Motor Speedway) is one of my favorites. It’s such a prestigious track and race. The fans always show up there and it’s a great atmosphere. I’ve had some good runs on the concrete track, including a win in the Valvoline Chevy in 2021. Valvoline is back this weekend and it would be great to get another win before the Round of 12!" Cliff Daniels, crew chief of the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on the team's strong playoff results thus far: "Our team has great momentum right now. It’s been nice to have two good runs the past two weeks, but there is certainly a lot of racing left ahead in the playoffs. We’ve got to stay focused and stay grounded. We take every week as it comes and this week is at Bristol (Motor Speedway), which is just an amazing track. I love Bristol. Kyle (Larson) loves Bristol. He’s always super good at Bristol in anything that he drives. The team’s been executing well and hopefully we have a fast Chevy to be there at the end. I’m sure it’s going to be an exciting race."

Playoff contenders face Round of 16 elimination race at Bristol

At a track as unpredictable as Bristol, the only thing guaranteed this weekend is four drivers will be eliminated from the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. Tensions are high, the point standings are tight, and once the stadium lights illuminate the ‘World’s Fastest Half-Mile’ expect nothing less than the greatest stock car drivers in the universe to battle it out in spectacular fashion in the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway, this Saturday, Sept. 17 at 7:30 p.m. ET on USA, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. With this weekend’s highly anticipated event serving as the elimination race for the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 16, a lot is on the line for the postseason contenders. Two Playoff drivers have locked themselves into the Round of 12 by virtue of their wins in the first two races of the Round of 16 – Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson (Darlington) and 23XI Racing’s Tyler Reddick – leaving 10 spots still up for grabs on Saturday.

 

The 2023 season marks the fourth-time Bristol Motor Speedway has hosted the third race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs and this Saturday’s race is just the fourth Cup Series postseason event at the 0.533-mile track all-time (2020-2023). From 2004-2019, Bristol Motor Speedway was scheduled as the 24th race of the regular season. Bristol Motor Speedway is the fifth different track in NASCAR Cup Series postseason history to host the third race of the Playoffs; joining Talladega Superspeedway (2004-2005), Kansas Speedway (2006–2010), Dover Motor Speedway (2011-2017) and the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL (2018-2019).

 

A total of 15 different drivers have won the third race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs (2004-2021), led by Jimmie Johnson (2008, 2013), Greg Biffle (2007, 2010), Tony Stewart (2006, 2009) and Kevin Harvick (2015, 2020) with two wins each.

 

In total, non-Playoff drivers have won the third race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs four times – twice at Kansas (Tony Stewart was 11th in points in 2006 and Greg Biffle was 14th in points in 2007), once at Talladega (Dale Jarrett was 14th in points in 2005), and once at Bristol Motor Speedway (Chris Buescher was 21st in points in 2022). A non-Playoff driver has not won a Playoff race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course (2018-2019) or at Dover Motor Speedway (2011 – 2017) when they were scheduled as the third race in the Playoffs.

 

Third Race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs - Race Winners
Track	Playoff Race Winners	Date
Bristol	Chris Buescher	Saturday, September 17, 2022
Bristol	Kyle Larson	Saturday, September 18, 2021
Bristol	Kevin Harvick	Sunday, September 19, 2020
Charlotte RC	Chase Elliott	Sunday, September 29, 2019
Charlotte RC	Ryan Blaney	Sunday, September 30, 2018
Dover	Kyle Busch	Sunday, October 1, 2017
Dover	Martin Truex Jr	Sunday, October 2, 2016
Dover	Kevin Harvick	Sunday, October 4, 2015
Dover	Jeff Gordon	Sunday, September 28, 2014
Dover	Jimmie Johnson	Sunday, September 29, 2013
Dover	Brad Keselowski	Sunday, September 30, 2012
Dover	Kurt Busch	Sunday, October 2, 2011
Kansas	Greg Biffle	Sunday, October 3, 2010
Kansas	Tony Stewart	Sunday, October 4, 2009
Kansas	Jimmie Johnson	Sunday, September 28, 2008
Kansas	Greg Biffle	Sunday, September 30, 2007
Kansas	Tony Stewart	Sunday, October 1, 2006
Talladega	Dale Jarrett	Sunday, October 2, 2005
Talladega	Dale Earnhardt Jr	Sunday, October 3, 2004

 

In total, the winner of the third race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs has gone on to win the title four times; en yet is has only happened once (2021) since the elimination-style format was instituted in 2014. In 2021, Kyle Larson won the third race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs at Bristol Motor Speedway and went on to win his first series title. His Bristol Playoff victory was the first of a record tying five postseason wins in a single Playoff run (Bristol, Charlotte RC, Texas, Kansas, Phoenix) – tying NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart, who put up five Playoff wins in his 2011 championship run.

 

When the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course (2018-2019) and Talladega Superspeedway (2004-2005) hosted the third race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, none of the event winners went on to win the title in the same season.

 

When Dover Motor Speedway hosted the third race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs (2011-2017), two drivers won the event and went on to win the title in the same season. In 2012, Brad Keselowski won the third race of the Playoffs at Dover and went on to win his first series title. It was Keselowski’s lone win during the 2012 Playoffs. In 2013, Jimmie Johnson won the third race of the Playoffs at Dover and went on to win his sixth series title. It was his first of two Playoff wins that season (Dover-2, Texas-2).

 

When Kansas Speedway hosted the third race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs (2006-2010), only one driver won the event and went on to win the title in the same season. In 2008, Jimmie Johnson won the third race of the Playoffs at Kansas and went on to win his third consecutive title. It was his first of three Playoff wins that season (Kansas, Martinsville-2, Phoenix-2).

 

The worst finish by a driver in the third NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race that went on to win the series’ title that same season was: 

 

• At Bristol Motor Speedway (2020-2022): In 2022, Joey Logano finished 27th at Bristol Motor Speedway, the third race of the Playoffs, and went on to win the title later that season.

 

• At Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course (2018-2019): In 2019, Kyle Busch finished 37th at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course – the third race of the Playoffs – and went on to win the title later that season.

 

• At Dover Motor Speedway (2011-2017): In 2011, Tony Stewart finished 25th at Dover Motor Speedway – the third race of the Playoffs – and went on to win the title later that season.

 

• At Kansas Speedway (2006-2010): In 2006, Jimmie Johnson finished 14th at Kansas Speedway – the third race of the Playoffs – and went on to win the title later that season.

 

• At Talladega Superspeedway (2004-2005): In 2004, Kurt Busch finished fifth at Talladega Superspeedway – the third race of the Playoffs – and went on to win the title later that season.

All the NASCAR Cup Series on-track activity at Bristol Motor Speedway begins this weekend with practice and Busch Light Pole Qualifying, and both events can be viewed on USA at 4:30 p.m. ET on Friday, Sept. 15.

 

Christopher Bell is +850 to win 2023 Bass Pro Shops Night Race

Christopher Bell / No. 20 Reser’s Fine Foods Toyota Camry TRD Preview

Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway

 

No. 20 Reser’s Fine Foods Toyota Camry TRD News and Notes:

• BELL NCS AT BRISTOL: Christopher Bell will make his fifth NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) start at Bristol Motor Speedway (BMS) this weekend in the No. 20 Reser’s Fine Foods Toyota Camry TRD for Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR). In this race one year ago Bell started eighth, finished second in stage one and first in stage two. Bell led 143 laps before a flat tire cost him some track position late in the race, he was able to pit for tires and earn a top-five finish.
• BRISTOL DIRT WINNER: Bell won the spring dirt race at Bristol. He started fourth following the heat races and led 100 laps during the race to take home the win, locking himself into the 2023 NASCAR Playoff field.
• BELL BRISTOL STATS: Bell has four NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) starts at BMS including one win in 2019. In addition to the victory, Bell has two top-five and two top-10 finishes in his four starts and has led 110 laps. Bell also has three NASCAR CRAFTMSAN Truck Series starts at BMS, earning one pole and two top-10 finishes.
• RESER’S FINE FOODS: The No. 20 Toyota Camry TRD will feature Reser’s Fine Foods this weekend under the lights at Bristol. A longtime partner of JGR, Reser’s makes fresh deli salads, sides, and prepared foods – it has been a proud sponsor of good times at the track, picnics, BBQs, and family meals, and its great-tasting and convenient foods can be found at grocers across the United States and Canada.
• BELL AND RESER’S FINE FOODS: Bristol will mark the second time Bell has driven a car for Reser’s Fine Foods, the first came in 2021 in the NXS race at Daytona International Speedway in August. Bell earned a sixth-place finish.
• PLAYOFFS STANDINGS: Bell heads into the Playoff elimination race at Bristol 10^th in the standings, 13 points ahead of the cut line.
• KANSAS RECAP: Bell started on the pole at Kansas and ran consistently in the top five throughout stage one, he lost some ground going into stage two after a pit stop at the stage break and over a long green flag run reported that the car was loose off. During the final stage Bell cycled up to the front of the field before coming in for a green flag stop. Bell worked his way up to ninth when the caution came out, setting the field up for a NASCAR overtime finish. Bell restarted 10^th and gained two positions in overtime to cross the finish line eighth.
• JGR AT BRISTOL: JGR has earned 13 NCS victories at BMS. In 154 combined starts, the organization has tallied 39 top-five finishes, 60 top-10s and 6,437 laps led.
• RACE INFO: The Bass Pro Shops Night Race at BMS begins at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, September 16, 2023. The race will be broadcast live on USA, Sirius XM 90, and PRN Radio.

 

From the Cockpit:

Christopher Bell: “I’m super excited about Bristol. The night race there is my favorite race of the year. The crowd is always electric, and the racing is intense. The playoff battle is super tight so it’s going to be an awesome event.”

 

Bell’s Career NASCAR Cup Series Stats at Bristol Motor Speedway:

Starts	Wins	Top 5	Top 10	Poles	Laps Led	Avg. Start	Avg. Finish
4	0	1	2	0	144	16.8	17.5

 

Bell’s 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Season Stats:

Starts	Wins	Top 5	Top 10	Poles	Laps Led	Avg. Start	Avg. Finish
28	1	6	14	4	314	10.2	13.7

 

Bell’s Career NASCAR Cup Series Season Stats:

Starts	Wins	Top 5	Top 10	Poles	Laps Led	Avg. Start	Avg. Finish
136	5	27	57	8	1005	14.2	16.0

 

 

About Joe Gibbs Racing: 

Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) is one of the premier organizations in NASCAR with four NASCAR Cup Series teams, three NASCAR Xfinity Series teams, and a driver development program. JGR is based in Huntersville, N.C., and owned by NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Joe Gibbs, who also earned his place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and was named as one of the NFL’s top 10 coaches of all-time with a winning career that included three Super Bowl Championships as head coach of the Washington franchise. JGR has competed in NASCAR since 1992, winning five Cup Series championships and six Xfinity Series owner’s championships, along with more than 350 NASCAR races, including four Brickyard 400s and four Daytona 500s.