The 2023 Bass Pro Shops Night Race was a NASCAR Cup Series race held on September 16, 2023, at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee. Contested over 500 laps on the short track, it was the 29th race of the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season, the third race of the Playoffs, and the final race of the Round of 16.
Report
Background
The Bristol Motor Speedway, formerly known as Bristol International Raceway and Bristol Raceway, is a NASCAR short track venue located in Bristol, Tennessee. Constructed in 1960, it held its first NASCAR race on July 30, 1961. Despite its short length, Bristol is among the most popular tracks on the NASCAR schedule because of its distinct features, which include extraordinarily steep banking, an all concrete surface, two pit roads, and stadium-like seating. It has also been named one of the loudest NASCAR tracks.
Entry list
(R) denotes rookie driver. (i) denotes the driver ineligible for series driver points. (P) denotes playoff driver. (OP) denotes owner’s playoffs car.
Practice
Kyle Larson was the fastest in the practice session with a time of 15.186 seconds and a speed of .
Practice results
Qualifying
Christopher Bell scored the pole for the race with a time 15.109 of and a speed of .
Qualifying results
Race
Race results
Stage results
Stage One
Laps: 125
Stage Two
Laps: 125
Final Stage results
Stage Three
Laps: 250
Race statistics
Lead changes: 10 among 6 different drivers
Cautions/Laps: 6 for 53 laps
Red flags: 1 for 14 minutes
Time of race: 2 hours, 48 minutes, and 20 seconds
Average speed:
Media
Television
USA covered the race on the television side. Rick Allen, Jeff Burton, Steve Letarte and Dale Earnhardt Jr. called the race from the broadcast booth. Dave Burns, Kim Coon, Dillon Welch and Marty Snider handled the pit road duties from pit lane.
Radio
PRN had the radio call for the race, which was also simulcast on Sirius XM NASCAR Radio. Doug Rice and Mark Garrow called the race from the booth when the field races down the frontstretch. Rob Albright called the race when the field races down the backstretch. Brad Gillie, Brett McMillan, Alan Cavanna, and Wendy Venturini handled the duties on pit lane.
Standings after the race
Drivers' Championship standings
Manufacturers' Championship standings
Note: Only the first 16 positions are included for the driver standings.