At Bristol Motor Speedway, the Round of 16 cutoff race featured Goodyear’s new right-side tire compound, a throwback to the Spring 2024 race when tire wear dictated much of the action. Over the course of 500 laps, the event was slowed by 137 laps under caution due to twelve incident-related cautions and two stage breaks, creating a challenging environment for the drivers.
As the race neared its conclusion, the 14th caution led to a critical four-lap shootout. Drivers faced a stark choice between using old tires or pitting for fresh ones. Carson Hocevar, Zane Smith, and Alex Bowman stayed out on old tires in front, having exhausted their right-side tire allocations, including the extra set granted by NASCAR. Meanwhile, Brad Keselowski, Christopher Bell, Joey Logano, and Ryan Blaney chose to pit for fresh tires, resulting in a race-front lineup of just nine drivers on the lead lap.
Final Shootout Highlights Bell’s Tactical Victory
At the restart, Hocevar and Smith occupied the front row and took the high line with their worn tires, leaving the bottom lane open to Christopher Bell, who started just behind Smith. Unsure of the best line to take, Bell opted for the bottom lane, anticipating that competitors on old tires would drift upward as the sprint to the finish unfolded.
I’ll tell you what, I was nervous about the choice, I didn’t know if I wanted the bottom or the top. I was hoping that those guys on old tires would push up, and they did.
—Christopher Bell, Driver
Bell quickly surged ahead and maintained the lead, fending off Brad Keselowski, who is still seeking his first victory in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. Bell’s win completed a clean sweep for Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) in the Round of 16, with three of their drivers winning and earning spots in the Round of 12. Ty Gibbs, the fourth JGR driver, led a career-best 201 laps but finished 10th after a series of setbacks late in the race.
Key Performances and Playoff Implications
Zane Smith recorded his best career finish by placing third, narrowly ahead of Ryan Blaney, who claimed the first stage and finished second in the second stage. Joey Logano overcame a poor qualifying effort and early race difficulties to finish fifth, showing resilience under pressure. NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series regular season champion Corey Heim finished sixth, followed by Hocevar in seventh and Bowman in eighth.
Bowman, who was in a must-win situation for much of the race, ultimately ended his playoff run finishing just 10 points shy of the cutoff. Other notable playoff eliminations included Austin Dillon, Shane van Gisbergen, and Josh Berry, who also fell short of advancing further in the 2025 season.
Significance of Bell’s Win and Team Impact
Christopher Bell’s victory at the Bristol Night Race advances him firmly in the 2025 NASCAR Playoffs, underscoring his skill in high-pressure situations and strategic tire management. Joe Gibbs Racing’s sweep of the Round of 16 represents a major team milestone, showcasing the depth and competitiveness of their driver lineup as the championship battle intensifies.
The unique tire compound introduced by Goodyear influenced team tactics and driver performance significantly, illustrating how equipment variables can shape race outcomes. As the playoffs progress to the Round of 12, Bell and his Joe Gibbs teammates will look to extend their dominant form on the track.
