Martin Truex Jr., the regular-season winner, is currently fighting for his season survival as he heads into the Bristol race. After two poor performances in the opening races of NASCAR’s playoffs, Truex finds himself in 13th place, below the cutline. Only the top 12 drivers will advance to the next round, meaning Truex is at risk of being eliminated if he doesn’t improve his position.
Truex’s troubles began with a cut tire early in last weekend’s race at Kansas, which resulted in an 18th-place finish. Prior to that, he had a disappointing race at Darlington. These setbacks have put him in a difficult position heading into Bristol, a track where he has historically struggled. In his 32 previous starts at Bristol, Truex has only managed four top-10 finishes and is yet to secure a win.
Truex acknowledged the challenge he faces but remains determined to do his best. He expressed disappointment at the string of bad luck he has encountered but remains hopeful that he can turn things around at Bristol.
Apart from Truex, Bubba Wallace, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., and Michael McDowell are also below the cutline and in danger of elimination. Kevin Harvick, who is retiring at the end of the season, is currently seven points ahead of Truex and in a slightly safer position. Kyle Larson and Tyler Reddick have already secured their spots in the next round with victories in the previous playoff races.
As for Stenhouse, he had an impressive start to the season with a win at the Daytona 500. However, he has only managed one top-five finish since then and is unlikely to make it to the next round unless he pulls off a miracle at Bristol. Stenhouse’s best chance at success lies in his performance at Bristol earlier this year when he finished fourth on the dirt-covered track.
Meanwhile, Kyle Busch, who is driving for Richard Childress Racing this season, has a good chance of advancing to the next round. He is currently seventh in the standings and has had a solid performance leading up to the playoffs. With eight career Cup Series wins at Bristol, including three in the last nine races, Busch is considered one of the favorites for Saturday night’s race.
The upcoming race at Bristol is crucial for these drivers as they fight for their season survival. The bottom four drivers in the playoff field will be eliminated, making every position and point vital. With rain predicted for Saturday night, the race could present additional challenges. All the drivers are aware of the stakes and are prepared to give their best efforts to secure their spots in the next round.
In terms of statistics and odds, Kyle Larson is currently the favorite to win the race according to FanDuel Sportsbook. Ford drivers have dominated at Bristol, winning three of the last four races, but interestingly, all three winners came from different organizations. The race winner has started 19th or worse in four of the last five short-track races, adding to the unpredictability of the event. Bristol has also seen seven different winners in the last seven races, indicating that anything can happen.
For Denny Hamlin, who hasn’t yet clinched a spot in the next round, he only needs to score 12 points to secure his advancement. He remains in a favorable position compared to other drivers in a similar situation.
As the drivers prepare for the Bristol race, the stakes are high, and they are determined to do whatever it takes to keep their championship hopes alive.
