BACK TO GALLERIES
Bubble watch: Shake-ups, must-wins ahead of Bristol Night Race
By Marissa Fuller | Published: August 15, 2019 10
NASCAR Creative Design
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NASCAR Creative Design
Bristol. Darlington. Indianapolis.
There are only three races left in the regular season and the pressure is on. The playoff bubble got scrambled after Michigan and some drivers are left fighting for their playoff lives. We're going short-track racing under the lights at Bristol this weekend, where tempers tend to flare and hopes are high. Take a look at the current drivers and their stats as the Monster Energy Series heads to Thunder Valley.
There are only three races left in the regular season and the pressure is on. The playoff bubble got scrambled after Michigan and some drivers are left fighting for their playoff lives. We're going short-track racing under the lights at Bristol this weekend, where tempers tend to flare and hopes are high. Take a look at the current drivers and their stats as the Monster Energy Series heads to Thunder Valley.
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Quinn Harris | Getty Images
William Byron +89 points above cutline
Where he stands … William Byron still sits 12th in the points standings with a sizable gap on the cutline. With another top-10 finish at Michigan last weekend, Byron kept his points on the cutoff line under control.
It's Bristol, baby! Byron has only three career starts at Bristol. Earlier this season, Byron started on the front row and finished 16th. With very few starts and not-great numbers at the short track (19.0 average finish), you can expect Byron to continue playing the stage point-strategy game to stay safe.
Where he stands … William Byron still sits 12th in the points standings with a sizable gap on the cutline. With another top-10 finish at Michigan last weekend, Byron kept his points on the cutoff line under control.
It's Bristol, baby! Byron has only three career starts at Bristol. Earlier this season, Byron started on the front row and finished 16th. With very few starts and not-great numbers at the short track (19.0 average finish), you can expect Byron to continue playing the stage point-strategy game to stay safe.
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Stacy Revere | Getty Images
Kyle Larson +71 points above cutline
Where he stands … Kyle Larson did exactly what he needed to do last weekend at Michigan. As one of his best tracks, he was able to contend for the win but didn't make any decisions that would get him in trouble. His third-place finish gave him the jump in the standings that he really needed.
It's Bristol, baby! Larson finished 19th in the first Bristol race this season. With 11 career starts at the track, Larson has two top fives, six top 10s and two poles. In 2018, Larson finished runner-up in both Bristol races. Expect Larson to be out front most of the race.
Where he stands … Kyle Larson did exactly what he needed to do last weekend at Michigan. As one of his best tracks, he was able to contend for the win but didn't make any decisions that would get him in trouble. His third-place finish gave him the jump in the standings that he really needed.
It's Bristol, baby! Larson finished 19th in the first Bristol race this season. With 11 career starts at the track, Larson has two top fives, six top 10s and two poles. In 2018, Larson finished runner-up in both Bristol races. Expect Larson to be out front most of the race.
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Stacy Revere | Getty Images
Erik Jones +70 points above cutline
Where he stands … Erik Jones finished 18th last weekend at Michigan. That finish wasn't necessarily what the driver of the No. 20 hoped for, but it also didn't completely diminish his playoff dreams. A strong finish Saturday will give him the boost in the standings he undoubtedly covets.
It's Bristol, baby! Jones did not have a great day at Bristol earlier this season, finishing 24th. In his five career starts, Jones has two top fives and one pole. Jones is certainly feeling the pressure, so playing smart and capitalizing on strategy will be key for the young star.
Where he stands … Erik Jones finished 18th last weekend at Michigan. That finish wasn't necessarily what the driver of the No. 20 hoped for, but it also didn't completely diminish his playoff dreams. A strong finish Saturday will give him the boost in the standings he undoubtedly covets.
It's Bristol, baby! Jones did not have a great day at Bristol earlier this season, finishing 24th. In his five career starts, Jones has two top fives and one pole. Jones is certainly feeling the pressure, so playing smart and capitalizing on strategy will be key for the young star.
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Stacy Revere | Getty Images
Ryan Newman +16 points above cutline
Where he stands …
Ryan Newman suffered a flat tire at Michigan, which made it look like his day might come to an end. But, others around him on the bubble had much worse days and he ended up jumping ahead in the standings after finishing 12th.
It's Bristol, baby! Newman finished ninth at Bristol earlier this season. With 35 career starts, Newman has two top fives and 19 top 10s at the short track.
Where he stands …
Ryan Newman suffered a flat tire at Michigan, which made it look like his day might come to an end. But, others around him on the bubble had much worse days and he ended up jumping ahead in the standings after finishing 12th.
It's Bristol, baby! Newman finished ninth at Bristol earlier this season. With 35 career starts, Newman has two top fives and 19 top 10s at the short track.
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Stacy Revere | Getty Images
Clint Bowyer +6 points above cutline
Where he stands … Clint Bowyer's historically strong Michigan numbers didn't materialize in on-track performance last weekend. After getting into the wall, he finished 37th. Fortunately for him, he's still sitting in that final playoff spot -- but if he doesn't shine at Bristol, Bowyer might find himself below the cutline.
It's Bristol, baby! Bowyer finished seventh at Bristol earlier this season and has pretty decent numbers at the Tennessee track. In 27 starts, he has seven top fives and 14 top 10s. Bowyer knows he is in trouble and can't afford mistakes this weekend. He will definitely be a strong contender but his aggression might need to be tamed for the sake of a good finish.
Where he stands … Clint Bowyer's historically strong Michigan numbers didn't materialize in on-track performance last weekend. After getting into the wall, he finished 37th. Fortunately for him, he's still sitting in that final playoff spot -- but if he doesn't shine at Bristol, Bowyer might find himself below the cutline.
It's Bristol, baby! Bowyer finished seventh at Bristol earlier this season and has pretty decent numbers at the Tennessee track. In 27 starts, he has seven top fives and 14 top 10s. Bowyer knows he is in trouble and can't afford mistakes this weekend. He will definitely be a strong contender but his aggression might need to be tamed for the sake of a good finish.
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Stacy Revere | Getty Images
Daniel Suarez -6 points below cutline
Where he stands … Daniel Suarez had a great day at Michigan last weekend. Coming off a few rough races, he finished fifth and gave himself a needed standings boost. He's just outside the cutline and playoff hopes are still alive.
It's Bristol, baby! Suarez finished eighth earlier this season at Bristol, and paired with his strong Michigan finish, it's logical to think he'll have momentum on his side. He only has five starts at the track and his eighth-place finish earlier this year is his best to date at Bristol.
Where he stands … Daniel Suarez had a great day at Michigan last weekend. Coming off a few rough races, he finished fifth and gave himself a needed standings boost. He's just outside the cutline and playoff hopes are still alive.
It's Bristol, baby! Suarez finished eighth earlier this season at Bristol, and paired with his strong Michigan finish, it's logical to think he'll have momentum on his side. He only has five starts at the track and his eighth-place finish earlier this year is his best to date at Bristol.
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Stacy Revere | Getty Images
Jimmie Johnson -12 points below cutline
Where he stands … Jimmie Johnson had a very bad day at Michigan. An early scrape with the wall led to a 34th-place finish. He went into the weekend above the cutline but now sits 12 points below it.
It's Bristol, baby! If experience matters, count Johnson in at Bristol. He has 35 career starts with two wins, 12 top fives and 21 top 10s. He has to head into this weekend with his sights set on another top-10 result or better. Earlier this season, he finished 10th so that -- or even a top five -- could be a game-changer for the No. 48.
Where he stands … Jimmie Johnson had a very bad day at Michigan. An early scrape with the wall led to a 34th-place finish. He went into the weekend above the cutline but now sits 12 points below it.
It's Bristol, baby! If experience matters, count Johnson in at Bristol. He has 35 career starts with two wins, 12 top fives and 21 top 10s. He has to head into this weekend with his sights set on another top-10 result or better. Earlier this season, he finished 10th so that -- or even a top five -- could be a game-changer for the No. 48.
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Matt Sullivan | Getty Images
Paul Menard -53 points below cutline
Where he stands …Paul Menard knows that his only guarantee of making it into the playoffs is with a win. He's been lingering around 19th in the playoff standings for weeks now and after finishing 15th at Michigan, his points gap has stayed pretty much the same.
It's Bristol, baby! Menard's Bristol results haven't been the best, but he did finish sixth at the season's first visit to the short track. He has 24 career starts with only one top five and seven top 10s. If Menard is in a spot to be aggressive, seems like it would be fair game -- but he has to get to the front first.
Where he stands …Paul Menard knows that his only guarantee of making it into the playoffs is with a win. He's been lingering around 19th in the playoff standings for weeks now and after finishing 15th at Michigan, his points gap has stayed pretty much the same.
It's Bristol, baby! Menard's Bristol results haven't been the best, but he did finish sixth at the season's first visit to the short track. He has 24 career starts with only one top five and seven top 10s. If Menard is in a spot to be aggressive, seems like it would be fair game -- but he has to get to the front first.
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Quinn Harris | Getty Images
Chris Buescher -73 points below cutline
Where he stands … Chris Buescher is in the same boat as Paul Menard. Without a win, it seems nearly impossible to make the playoffs. Last weekend, he finished 14th and jumped ahead of Ricky Stenhouse Jr. for 20th in the standings.
It's Bristol, baby!Earlier this season, Buescher finished 22nd at Bristol. With only eight career starts, he has one top fives and one top 10 at the short track. Aggression for Buescher will come into play if the timing is right.
Where he stands … Chris Buescher is in the same boat as Paul Menard. Without a win, it seems nearly impossible to make the playoffs. Last weekend, he finished 14th and jumped ahead of Ricky Stenhouse Jr. for 20th in the standings.
It's Bristol, baby!Earlier this season, Buescher finished 22nd at Bristol. With only eight career starts, he has one top fives and one top 10 at the short track. Aggression for Buescher will come into play if the timing is right.