Here are the hot topics, trending news and key story lines to get you ready for this weekend’s races at Bristol Motor Speedway.
WEATHER
Chance of thunderstorms with highs in the 80s and lows in the 60s, according to the National Weather Service. “Thunder Valley” is always prone to showers, so business as usual.
KEY TIMES
Sprint Cup Series: Sprint Cup drivers are busy on Friday with two practices and qualifying (5:45 p.m. ET on USA). The race starts at 8 p.m. ET Saturday and is on NBCSN.
XFINITY Series: Cars are on track Thursday for two practices, which is new. Thursday has previously been a dark day with no cars on track. The race is at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, televised on USA.
Camping World Truck Series: Ben Kennedy, great-grandson of NASCAR founder Bill France Sr., won his first national series race on Wednesday in the UNOH 200. | Read more about his landmark victory
CATCH DRIVERS LIVE
We stream every driver press conference in the media center at NASCAR.com/presspass. Some of the notables this weekend: Jimmie Johnson at 9 a.m. ET Friday (hope you’ve had your coffee); Matt Tifft at 9:30 a.m. ET Friday; Carl Edwards at 11:35 a.m. ET on Friday.
LAST TIME
Joey Logano won his second consecutive race after dueling with Kevin Harvick … for the second time in three races in 2015. The driver of the No. 22 Team Penske Ford held off a hard-charging Harvick over the final 63 laps in a remarkable duel that had Harvick circling the track up top, but unable to catch the low-lined Logano.
YOU SHOULD KNOW …
• There may be payback in store. Specifically, Kyle Larson all but promised retribution to AJ Allmendinger — “He has got a few coming” is the exact quote — after Allmendinger wrecked Larson on the last lap at Watkins Glen. Larson has driven respectfully all season, but it could be time to send a message.
• Speaking of payback … Brad Keselowski took the blame for spinning Martin Truex Jr. at Watkins Glen, and that issue is more likely than the above to be in the past. But it’s Bristol, so one never really knows.
• Joey Logano is going for his third consecutive win in the Bristol Night Race. No one’s done that since Darrell Waltrip from 1981-83. Cale Yarborough is the only other driver to accomplish that feat.
• The Chase Grid might get a turnover. Chris Buescher is just three points out of the top 30 in the points standings. If he makes up that deficit, he slides into the Chase field, knocking out someone with more points than him, but no wins — likely Larson.
THE FAVORITE
Joey Logano. He’s figured this place out, especially under the lights. Forget that others have better career numbers. No one is better at the “Last Great Colosseum” as it stands right now.
Others to consider: Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Brad Keselowski.
THE SLEEPER
Jeff Gordon. Jeff Gordon, a sleeper?! Yes. As a substitute driver in the No. 88 Chevrolet, Gordon has had a rocky readjustment into Sprint Cup Series competition. No one in the field, though, has as much success here than the four-time champion.
Others to consider: Chase Elliott, Greg Biffle.
STAFF PICKS
Jeff Gordon: 1
Matt Kenseth: 1
Kurt Busch: 1
Kyle Busch: 2
Carl Edwards: 2
Joey Logano: 3