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BRISTOL, Tenn. (WJHL) — Christopher Bell held off Brad Keselowski in the final laps to win Saturday’s Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol.
Bell secured his spot in the next round of the NASCAR Playoffs while four drivers saw their Playoff runs come to an end. Those eliminated were: Alex Bowman, Austin Dillon, Shane Van Gisbergen, and Josh Berry.
Those who advanced to the Round of 12 include:
- Chase Briscoe
- Ryan Blaney
- Denny Hamlin
- Christopher Bell
- William Byron
- Kyle Larson
- Bubba Wallace
- Tyler Reddick
- Joey Logano
- Ross Chastain
- Chase Elliott
- Austin Cindric
Hamlin and Briscoe had already clinched spots in the next round of the Playoffs by winning the first two races of the Playoffs. Bell’s win on Saturday marked a sweep of the first round by Joe Gibbs Racing.
Playoff-contender Ryan Blaney edged Ty Gibbs to win Stage 1 of the race, but Gibbs later held off Blaney to win Stage 2.
Disaster struck for Gibbs with under 70 laps to go when he had trouble trying to enter pit road and lost multiple spots. Gibbs, who was seeking his first Cup Series victory, finished 10th after leading for a cumulative 201 laps.
It was also a disastrous night for several other drivers. Pole-winner A.J. Allmendinger struck the wall late in the race and finished 36th. Playoff-contender Chase Elliott spun into the wall after contact with John Hunter Nemechek with less than 200 laps to go and finished 38th.
Hamlin, who was looking for his 60th Cup Series win, saw his right front wheel come off with under 150 laps to go. He finished 31st.
The race finished with 14 cautions and 36 lead changes.
During the race, the speedway announced the dates for next year’s races at Bristol. The Food City 500 will take place on April 12 and the Bass Pro Shops Night Race on Sept. 19.
