Posted on by Staff Report

The starting lineup for Wednesday night’s NASCAR All-Star Race at Bristol Motor Speedway (8:30 p.m. ET, FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) has been set.

Martin Truex Jr. will start from the pole position in the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, flanked on the front row by Alex Bowman in the No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet.

RELATED: All-Star Race schedule | Last call: All-Star Race Fan Vote

The starting lineup for the All-Star Open (7 p.m. ET, FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) has also been established, where Michael McDowell will start on the pole for the three-segment preliminary event, alongside Aric Almirola.

The lineup for the race was determined by a random draw, with results airing on FS1’s “Race Hub.”

See below for the full starting lineups:

NASCAR ALL-STAR RACE

Starting spot Driver Car # Team
1 Martin Truex Jr. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing
2 Alex Bowman 88 Hendrick Motorsports
3 Ryan Blaney 12 Team Penske
4 Justin Haley 77 Spire Motorsports
5 Kevin Harvick 4 Stewart-Haas Racing
6 Matt Kenseth 42 Chip Ganassi Racing
7 Kurt Busch 1 Chip Ganassi Racing
8 Cole Custer 41 Stewart-Haas Racing
9 Brad Keselowski 2 Team Penske
10 Kyle Busch 18 Joe Gibbs Racing
11 Ryan Newman 6 Roush Fenway Racing
12 Joey Logano 22 Team Penske
13 Chase Elliott 9 Hendrick Motorsports
14 Jimmie Johnson 48 Hendrick Motorsports
15 Denny Hamlin 11 Joe Gibbs Racing
16 Erik Jones 20 Joe Gibbs Racing
17 Aric Almirola (won Stage 1 of All-Star Open) 10 Stewart-Haas Racing
18 William Byron (won Stage 2 of All-Star Open) 24 Hendrick Motorsports
19 Matt DiBenedetto (won Stage 3 of All-Star Open) 21 Wood Brothers Racing
20 Clint Bowyer (Fan Vote winner) 14 Stewart-Haas Racing

NASCAR ALL-STAR OPEN

Starting spot Driver Car # Team
1 Michael McDowell 34 Front Row Motorsports
2 Aric Almirola 10 Stewart-Haas Racing
3 Christopher Bell 95 Leavine Family Racing
4 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 47 JTG Daugherty Racing
5 Tyler Reddick 8 Richard Childress Racing
6 Bubba Wallace 43 Richard Petty Motorsports
7 William Byron 24 Hendrick Motorsports
8 Chris Buescher 17 Roush Fenway Racing
9 Clint Bowyer 14 Stewart-Haas Racing
10 Matt DiBenedetto 21 Wood Brothers Racing
11 Austin Dillon 3 Richard Childress Racing
12 Ryan Preece 37 JTG Daugherty Racing
13 JJ Yeley 27 Rick Ware Racing
14 Garrett Smithley 53 Rick Ware Racing
15 Brennan Poole 15 Premium Motorsports
16 Quin Houff 00 StarCom Racing
17 Timmy Hill * 66 Motorsports Business Management
18 Joey Gase 51 Petty Ware Racing
19 Daniel Suarez 96 Gaunt Brothers Racing
20 John Hunter Nemechek 38 Front Row Motorsports
21 Ty Dillon 13 Germain Racing
22 Corey LaJoie 32 Go Fas Racing

(* — withdrawn from event)

Posted on by Zack Albert

NASCAR’s postseason picture just got a fresh face and a more precarious bubble.

Rookie Cole Custer broke through for his first Cup Series victory Sunday at Kentucky Speedway, giving him a sudden jolt of playoff eligibility. The triumph virtually locks him into the 16-driver postseason grid as one of the series’ nine winners this season, even though he sits 20th in the standings — more than a smidgen behind the other provisional qualifiers, who are all among the top 10 in points.

RELATED: Playoff Watch | Recent rookie winners

That shake-up to the postseason stack means that Austin Dillon — who provisionally was in last week at 16th in standings — is now out the next, even with his points rank unchanged. The tentative final playoff qualifier is now 15th-place Jimmie Johnson, who would advance on the basis of points — even after a one-race absence following his reveal of a positive COVID-19 test. Another new Cup Series winner outside that points bracket would put that spot in deeper peril.

To recap and refresh, here are the drivers who have virtually sealed playoff spots (in chronological order by date of their clinching win): Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, Alex Bowman, Kevin Harvick, Brad Keselowski, Chase Elliott, Martin Truex Jr., Ryan Blaney, Cole Custer.

With 17 of a scheduled 26 regular-season races complete, here’s how the top 12 winless bubble drivers stack up as the playoff cutoff draws nearer.

Aric Almirola (10th in provisional playoff standings, +116 points to the cutline): Blossoming consistency has moved the Stewart-Haas Racing driver out of true bubble territory. A win seems near, but even without it, the points stockpile is an advantageous safety net.

Kurt Busch (11th in provisional playoff standings, +104 points to the cutline): See: Almirola, re: safety net. Kentucky marked his fourth top-five finish of the year and bolstered a substantial points cushion.

Kyle Busch (12th in provisional playoff standings, +89 points to the cutline): Perplexing to see Rowdy without a victory this late in the season? Flash back to 2017, when Busch went winless for the first 20 regular-season races then turned up the wick on a five-win season that came up one position shy of a championship.

Matt DiBenedetto (13th in provisional playoff standings, +68 points to the cutline): Matty D’s third place at Kentucky marked just his second top-five finish this season, his first since Las Vegas in February. It’s a fortifying result, as DiBenedetto placed among the top 10 in both stages for his biggest points payout (43) of the year.

Clint Bowyer (14th in provisional playoff standings, +47 points to the cutline): The nitty-gritty of the playoff bubble starts here. Bowyer was 56 points above the cutline after last week, but his second straight result in the teens has taken some of his points padding away.

William Byron (15th in provisional playoff standings, +30 points to the cutline): Like his Hendrick Motorsports teammates, Byron has a respectable cache of stage points to keep him in the playoff hunt. But as the weeks click away without that first top-five finish of the season, the concerns and pressure could mount.

Jimmie Johnson (16th in provisional playoff standings, +24 points to the cutline): Several races remain for the seven-time champion to solidify his bid for an eighth. As it stands now, Custer’s win pushes Johnson to “last one in” turf, reducing the margin of error moving forward.

Austin Dillon (17th in provisional playoff standings, -24 points to the cutline): An odd late-race spin threatened to derail Dillon’s Kentucky efforts, but the RCR No. 3 team rallied to salvage 13th. Four straight finishes in the teens have actually inched Dillon upward in the series standings, but he’ll need more for playoff security.

Tyler Reddick (18th in provisional playoff standings, -41 points to the cutline): The dynamic rookie has left little doubt about his budding skill, but the deficit created by three early DNFs then a dismal doubleheader at Pocono (finishes of 30th and 35th) make his points path more difficult.

Erik Jones (19th in provisional playoff standings, -42 points to the cutline): That sinking feeling for the JGR No. 20 driver stems from finishes in the back half of the field in three of the last four races. Texas — one of Jones’ better tracks — looms as a potential turnaround point, but a playoff push will need some sustained momentum.

Bubba Wallace (20th in provisional playoff standings, -84 points to the cutline): Wallace’s bid for his first postseason appearance will require more efforts like his ninth-place finish at Indianapolis than a mundane 27th at Kentucky. Barring a rebound, the Richard Petty Motorsports No. 43 bunch may need to rely on some superspeedway magic in the regular-season finale at Daytona.

Chris Buescher (21st in provisional playoff standings, -91 points to the cutline): Another driver in “Hail Mary” territory, Buescher followed two straight top 10s with finishes of 36th, 31st and 20th in the last three races. In the overall points, Buescher is now tied with Custer in 20th place, but the rookie’s Kentucky triumph represents a major leapfrog moment.

Posted on by Steve Luvender

It’s almost time for the NASCAR All-Star Race from Bristol Motor Speedway! That means 22 otherwise-ineligible drivers are counting on you — yes, you — to vote them into the big show through the All-Star Fan Vote.

Sure, you may already have your reasons for making your selection, but if not, our handy generator will create a reason for you. Simply press the button below, and our computer will generate a (fictional, probably) reason why a driver is a super-cool guy and deserves your vote.

Don’t forget to catch the NASCAR All-Star Race Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. ET on FS1 and the FOX Sports App.

Posted on by Data Skrive

William Byron finished 11th in the Quaker State 400 Presented by Walmart at Kentucky Speedway on Sunday.

Byron’s result added 26 points to his season total.

Byron started in 21st position and led four laps in the race. The third-year driver has picked up five top-five and 22 top-10 finishes in his career.

Sunday’s race was Byron’s second career start at Kentucky Speedway. He’s completed both of those races, but has not earned a top-10 finish at the track.

The Charlotte, North Carolina native began the race six spots behind his career mark of 15.3, but finished seven places ahead of his career average of 18.2.

Byron took on a field of 38 drivers on the way to his 11th-place finish. The race endured eight cautions and 42 caution laps. There were 13 lead changes.

Cole Custer secured the victory in the race, and Martin Truex Jr finished second. Matt DiBenedetto placed third, Kevin Harvick took fourth, and Kurt Busch rounded out the top five.

After Aric Almirola won the first stage, Brad Keselowski drove the No. 2 car to victory in Stage 2.

William Byron Driver Page | Get Byron Gear | Race Center

Posted on by Data Skrive

Matt DiBenedetto finished third in the Quaker State 400 Presented by Walmart at Kentucky Speedway on Sunday.

DiBenedetto’s top five finish, the second time he has achieved that result this year, added 43 points to his season total.

DiBenedetto started in 10th position and led one lap in the race. The sixth-year driver has picked up four top-five and 15 top-10 finishes in his career.

Sunday’s race was DiBenedetto’s fifth career start at Kentucky Speedway.

The Grass Valley, California native’s starting and finishing positions compared favorably to his career averages, starting 17 spots higher than his career mark of 26.7 and completing the race 22 places ahead of his 24.9 career average finish.

DiBenedetto’s third-place finish was against a field of 38 drivers. The race endured eight cautions and 42 caution laps. Prior to the checkered flag there were 13 lead changes.

Cole Custer secured the victory in the race, followed by Martin Truex Jr in second place. After DiBenedetto’s third-place finish, Kevin Harvick secured fourth, and Kurt Busch finished off the top five.

After Aric Almirola won the first stage, Brad Keselowski drove the No. 2 car to the win in Stage 2.

Matt DiBenedetto Driver Page | Get DiBenedetto Gear | Race Center

Posted on by Data Skrive

Kurt Busch finished fifth in the Quaker State 400 Presented by Walmart at Kentucky Speedway on Sunday.

Busch’s top five finish, the fourth time he has achieved that result this year, added 35 points to his season total.

Busch started in seventh position. The 21st-year driver has earned 31 career victories, with 146 top-five finishes and 307 results inside the top 10.

Victory Lane at Kentucky Speedway is a familiar place for Busch, who has one career win at the track. He has also compiled two top-five finishes at Kentucky and his fifth-place result marks the sixth top 10.

The Las Vegas, Nevada native’s starting and finishing positions compared favorably to his career averages, starting eight spots higher than his career mark of 14.7 and completing the race 11 places ahead of his 16.4 career average finish.

Busch competed against 38 other drivers on the way to his fifth-place finish. The race endured eight cautions and 42 caution laps. There were 13 lead changes.

Cole Custer finished first in the race, and Martin Truex Jr finished second. Matt DiBenedetto placed third, with Kevin Harvick taking fourth place. Busch rounded out the top five.

After Aric Almirola won Stage 1, Brad Keselowski drove the No. 2 car to victory in Stage 2.

Kurt Busch Driver Page | Get Busch Gear | Race Center

Posted on by Data Skrive

Christopher Bell finished seventh in the Quaker State 400 Presented by Walmart at Kentucky Speedway on Sunday.

The top 10 finish for Bell, his fifth of the year, added 30 points to his season total.

Bell started in 34th position. The first-year driver has picked up one top-five and four top-10 finishes in his career.

The Norman, Oklahoma native began the race eight spots behind his career mark of 26, but finished 13 places ahead of his career average of 20.5.

Bell raced against a field of 38 drivers on the way to his seventh-place finish. The race endured eight cautions and 42 caution laps. Prior to the checkered flag there were 13 lead changes.

Cole Custer earned the victory in the race, and Martin Truex Jr finished second. Matt DiBenedetto placed third, Kevin Harvick brought home fourth, and Kurt Busch finished off the top five.

After Aric Almirola won Stage 1, Brad Keselowski drove the No. 2 car to victory in Stage 2.

Christopher Bell Driver Page | Get Bell Gear | Race Center

Posted on by Data Skrive

Aric Almirola finished eighth in the Quaker State 400 Presented by Walmart at Kentucky Speedway on Sunday despite leading 128 laps, the most of any driver.

The top 10 finish for Almirola, his eighth of the year, added 39 points to his season total.

Almirola started in fourth position and led 128 laps in the race. The 13th-year driver has collected two career victories, with 23 top-five finishes and 69 results inside the top 10.

The eighth-place result on Sunday was the first time Almirola has cracked the top 10 at Kentucky Speedway.

The Tampa, Florida native’s starting and finishing positions compared favorably to his career averages, starting 17 spots higher than his career mark of 20.7 and completing the race 14 places ahead of his 21.7 career average finish.

Almirola’s eighth-place finish was against 38 other drivers. The race endured eight cautions and 42 caution laps. There were 13 lead changes.

Cole Custer earned the checkered flag in the race, and Martin Truex Jr followed in second. Matt DiBenedetto placed third, Kevin Harvick took fourth, and Kurt Busch finished off the top five.

After Almirola won the first stage, Brad Keselowski drove the No. 2 car to the win in Stage 2.

Aric Almirola Driver Page | Get Almirola Gear | Race Center

Posted on by Data Skrive

Johnny Sauter finished fourth in the Buckle Up In Your Truck 225 at Kentucky Speedway on Saturday.

Sauter’s top five finish, the third time he has achieved that result this year, added 40 points to his season total.

Sauter started in 11th position. The 17th-year driver has collected 24 career victories, with 108 top-five finishes and 172 results inside the top 10.

The fourth place result for Sauter marks the second time he has finished in the top five at Kentucky Speedway and his seventh top 10.

The Necedah, Wisconsin native’s starting and finishing positions compared favorably to his career averages, starting two spots higher than his career mark of 13.4 and completing the race eight places ahead of his 12.3 career average finish.

Sauter competed with a field of 40 drivers on the way to his fourth-place finish. The race endured seven cautions and 25 caution laps. There were six lead changes.

Sheldon Creed took the checkered flag in the race, followed by Ben Rhodes in second place and Matt Crafton in third. Sauter secured fourth ahead of Austin Hill’s finish in fifth place.

After Zane Smith won the first stage, Creed grabbed control and won Stage 2 before driving to victory.

Johnny Sauter Driver Page | Get Sauter Gear | Race Center

Posted on by Data Skrive

Zane Smith finished seventh in the Buckle Up In Your Truck 225 at Kentucky Speedway on Saturday.

The top 10 finish for Smith, his fourth of the year, added 44 points to his season total.

Smith started in second position and led 11 laps in the race, holding the lead a total of two times. The second-year driver has picked up three top-five and four top-10 finishes in his career.

The Huntington Beach, California native’s starting and finishing positions compared favorably to his career averages, starting eight spots higher than his career mark of 10.2 and completing the race two places ahead of his 8.8 career average finish.

Smith’s seventh-place finish was against a field of 40 drivers. The race endured seven cautions and 25 caution laps. There were six lead changes.

Sheldon Creed earned the victory in the race, and Ben Rhodes followed in second. Matt Crafton placed third, Johnny Sauter took fourth, and Austin Hill finished off the top five.

After Smith won Stage 1, Creed grabbed control and won Stage 2 before taking the checkered flag.

Zane Smith Driver Page | Get Smith Gear | Race Center