The NASCAR Cup Series continues in the 2025 playoffs with the Bass Pro Shops Night Race on Sept. 12 at Bristol Motor Speedway.
The Round of 16 concludes this weekend, with the Bristol night race serving as the elimination race for the bottom four drivers in the playoff standings.
Kyle Larson has led more than 800 laps over the last two Cup Series races to win at the half-mile concrete track.
Here are The Tennessean’s expert picks for Saturday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol:
Mike Organ’s pick: Josh Berry, No. 21, Wood Brothers Racing Ford
Berry has finished outside the top 30 in three of the last five races and inside the top 10 in the other two. It’s been that kind of season for the second-year Cup driver, who got his first win in Las Vegas. He needs another win Saturday to remain in the playoffs, and even as a long shot, he will get one in his home state.
Nick Gray’s pick: Christopher Bell, No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
It’s a fool’s errand to not pick Kyle Larson, but call this a hunch. Bell was fired up after finishing 7th at Gateway, and not in a good way. He knows the No. 20 should be contending more often in races, and that shows up this weekend.
Tom Kreager’s pick: Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Sticking with Hendrick drivers for a second straight week. I mean, Joe Gibbs Racing drivers surely aren’t going to win every playoff race, right? Plus, he’s won here before and has 10 top-10 finishes.
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