NASCAR Bass Pro Shops Night Race Predictions & Tips

NASCAR

The first round of the NASCAR playoffs concludes with four drivers eliminated from the competition on Saturday night at the Bass Pro Shops Night Race. The field returns to Bristol Motor Speedway where back in April Kyle Larson captured the second of his three NCS wins this season. The green flag is scheduled to wave at 7:30 p.m. ET on September 13 from the Bristol track in Bristol, TN. You can watch the race on USA Network.

NASCAR Bass Pro Shops Night Race Preview

Nobody takes sponsorship obligations as serious as NASCAR. The Bass Pro Shops Night Race is one of two held at Bristol Motor Speedway and will cover 500 laps on the short oval. Defending champion Kyle Larson returns as the NASCAR odds betting favorite with Denny Hamlin a close second. Hamlin secured his spot in the next playoff round with a win last week in Illinois and no active driver has more wins than Hamlin in this race. Hamlin also won the Food City 500 held at Bristol in 2024.

Bass Pro Shots Night Race Betting Odds

Kyle Larson +265
Denny Hamlin +400
Ryan Blaney +600
Christopher Bell +750
William Byron +1000
Chase Briscoe +1000
Chase Elliott +1100
TY Gibbs +1800
Joey Logano +2000
Ross Chastain +2200
Bubba Wallace +2200
Tyler Reddick +2500
Chris Buescher +2500
Brad Keselowski +2500
Alex Bowman +2500
Kyle Busch +2800
Carson Hocevar +2800
All other drivers listed higher than +3000

NASCAR Bass Pro Shops Night Race Top Contenders

Kyle Larson +265

The defending champ has been dominant winning his last two starts at Bristol claiming the Food City 500 in April.
He led for 873 of the 1,000 laps in those races.
Larson has finished among the top 5 with three wins in his last six starts at Bristol.

Denny Hamlin +400

Hamlin’s five wins are the most of any driver this season.
He earned the pole the last two weeks placing 7th in the Southern 500 and taking the checkered flag last week in Illinois.
Has 15 career wins on short tracks with four at Bristol.
He has two wins, a runner-up and a fourth in his last four starts at Bristol.

Christopher Bell +750

Bell isn’t guaranteed a spot in the next playoff round, but a strong finish will move him into the Round of 12.
A solid driver on short tracks with a win and 10 top 5s in 30 career starts.
He’s been close to earning his first win at Bristol with three top 5s among five top 10s in his last five starts.
Ran a great race last week in Illinois finishing seventh.

Alex Bowman+2,500

Currently 15th in the standings Bowman likely needs a win to advance giving him added incentive.
Has more career wins on short tracks than any other track type.
Earned the pole position in last two starts at Bristol and was in contention at the Food City 500 in April before engine trouble shelved him in Stage 3.

NASCAR Bass Pro Shops Night Race Predictions

With a win last week Hamlin automatically entered the Round of 12, so there could be a letdown. Being the competitors they are, it's probably not a good idea to face Hamlin and Larson. Bowman probably needs a win to advance to the Round of 12 giving him added incentive, and he’s been solid at Bristol. Kyle Busch has a lengthy winless drought, but he has more wins at Bristol than any other track. Check out this betting guide for additional ways to bet NASCAR.