By Matt Marr
Christopher Bell, having won his third consecutive pole, led the field to the green flag Saturday night at the Bass Pro Shops Night Race in Bristol, Tennessee.
An incident between AJ Allmendinger and Austin Cindric brought out the caution. On the ensuing restart on lap 76, Corey Lajoie and Bubba Wallace made up the front row after staying out on older tires.
With less than 20 laps to go in the stage, a caution came out for precipitation. After a few caution laps, it was determined that the track was okay, despite the light rain.
Christopher Bell found his way back up to the front and won Stage One.
Before restarting for Stage Two, the red flag was brought out due to heavier rain, but it was short-lived.
Bell and Kyle Larson restarted on the front row to begin Stage Two on lap 140.
In dominating fashion, Christopher Bell won Stage Two, putting multiple playoff drivers a lap down in the process.
Ty Gibbs and Denny Hamlin brought the field to the start of the Final Stage on lap 261.
Shortly after, the caution came out on lap 263. Corey Lajoie, Ryan Newman and Joey Logano were involved, and it proved to be costly for the defending champ. Logano’s car was beyond repair and he wound up finishing 34th.
Denny Hamlin dominated the final stage and won the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Bass Pro Shop Night Race Top 5:
1. Denny Hamlin
2. Kyle Larson
3. Christopher Bell
4. Chris Buescher
5. Ty Gibbs
Notables:
6. Michael McDowell
10. Ricky Stenhouse Jr
11. Carson Hocevar
16. Todd Gilliland
Eliminated from the Playoffs:
Joey Logano
Kevin Harvick
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Michael McDowell