Overview

• The 500‑lap Bass Pro Shops Night Race starts Saturday, Sept. 13 at 7:30 p.m. ET on USA with radio coverage on PRN and SiriusXM, following Friday practice at 4:30 p.m. and qualifying at 5:40 p.m.
• Four drivers will be eliminated at the checkered flag, and Hamlin has already advanced via his Gateway win as Kyle Larson pursues a third straight Bristol Cup victory after leading 462 of 500 laps last year.
• The preliminary entry list features 39 cars, including part‑time entries Corey Heim in the No. 67 for 23XI Racing, Austin Hill in the No. 33 for Richard Childress Racing, and Tennessee native Chad Finchum in the No. 66 for Garage 66.
• RFK Racing leans on a deep Bristol résumé with 12 Cup wins as Brad Keselowski, 2022 race winner Chris Buescher, and Ryan Preece arrive with recent consistency and mid‑pack playoff positions noted in team advances.
• Bristol also launches the Xfinity Series Playoffs with Friday’s Food City 300 on The CW and hosts Thursday’s Truck Series UNOH 200 on FS1, highlighting contenders such as Sam Mayer, Sheldon Creed, Corey Heim and defending Truck winner Layne Riggs.