Kyle Larson wins at night in Bristol

A few minutes earlier, Larson had taken the lead of the race from Harvick with the full help of Elliott, who as a good teammate, was responsible for slowing down the #4 Ford despite being 3 laps behind. It was only the last scuffle between the two champions who searched and found each other throughout the end of the race. 

It all started when, in order to pass Elliot, then in the lead, Harvick more than manfully pressed him against the outside wall. With a bit of a flat tire, the driver of the #9 Camaro had no choice but to return to the pits, losing 3 laps and any chance of victory in the process. Back on the track, after having indicated his dissatisfaction with a well-placed bumper, Elliott tried, successfully for the Hendricks Motorspprts, to ruin Harvick's race. 

The Bristol enclosure true to its legend © Nascar Media

Besides these quibbles, the race had a major interest because it was to determine the first 4 drivers eliminated from the Playoffs. The unfortunates are Aric Almirola, Tyler Reddick, Kurt Busch and Michael McDowell. The big winner of this round was ultimately William Byron who snatched the last qualifying place for the round of 12 by finishing third in the race.

William Byron performs the good operation of the evening © Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

This podium allows him to pass with only two small points ahead of Almirola and Reddick, the first two drivers eliminated. 

Bass Pro Shops Night Race standings:

Overall NASCAR Cup Series standings:

Next week the second round of the playoffs, the “Round of 12” will begin at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, for a fourth night race in a row, this time on Sunday evening.