Kyle Larson dominates at Bristol. 12 Drivers head into the Round of 12

The last time the Cup Series was at Bristol, we saw an unexpected nailbiter event due to extreme tire wear that ultimately created a race of attrition. Given that Bristol also hosts the infamous night race as the elimination of four drivers from the first round of the playoffs, and taking into account what happened in the spring, most fans were expecting to see something similar. However, today, many of those fans are using words like dull, boring and are claiming they actually fell asleep. Commentators Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi are equating the race with receiving socks for Christmas. It’s an apt analogy for anyone feeling as though it was one of, if not THE most benign Bristol races we’ve seen in a long time.

Perhaps it was the extreme ‘lack’ of tire wear; perhaps it was due to such a clean race that it ran extended green flag laps—to the point of setting a record; or perhaps it was watching the #5 car of Kyle Larson effortlessly dominate the race and lap so many cars in the field that only 12 were left on the lead lap. Perhaps it was all of that combined. Whatever the case, it did what was intended—it ended the championship hopes of 4 drivers who ended up below the cut line.

Leading 462 of 500 laps and securing his fifth victory of the season, Larson’s win is the 28th of his Cup career as it advances him to the Round of 12 in the playoffs. Of course, Atlanta race winner Joey Logano was already set to advance. And during the course of the race, it was announced Christopher Bell and Alex Bowman had accumulated the necessary points to move forward as well.

By the time the checkered flag fell, it was clear the drivers joining them for the Round of 12 would be Chase Elliott, who finished second, along with Denny Hamlin, Ryan Blaney, Chase Briscoe, Austin Cindric, William Byron, Tyler Reddick, and Daniel Suarez.

Those failing to advance included past champion Martin Truex Jr., Ty GIbbs, Brad Keselowski, and Harrison Burton, who incurred significant mechanical issues and finished 78 laps down. Even without issues, Burton had been in a must-win situation going into the race due to a severe lack of points.

Martin Truex Jr., who started 3rd after a great qualifying run, looked like he had a shot to win the race given that he ran top 3 most of the night. However, a late race speeding penalty on pit road ended his hopes. After re-starting at the back of the pack to serve the penalty, he was mired back in traffic and couldn’t find his way to the front.

Suarez found himself in a similar situation of being trapped at the back when his Chevy Camaro failed to provide any speed. The team knew the car had issues as early as practice on Friday night. Though they made changes that offered a bit of improvement, it still “wasn’t good,” according to Suarez, who battled throughout 500 laps. Nevertheless, the race played out in his favor, and he was able to remain above Ty Gibbs in points after Gibbs went from a top-10 run to struggling with his car late in the race.

Going into the Round of 12, which will begin at Kansas next Sunday, Austin Cindric (-4), Daniel Suarez (-6), Alex Bowman (-7), and Chase Briscoe (-7) are now on the bubble.