After jettisoning four drivers from the chase, the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs starts the Round of 12 at Texas Motor Speedway this weekend. Chase Elliott, the 2020 series champion, enters Texas as the points leader, with a 15-point edge over 2018 champion Joey Logano and a 20-point lead over Ross Chastain.
Two drivers in the playoff field posted “wins” at Texas earlier this year as Daniel Suarez won the All-Star Open and Ryan Blaney won the All-Star Race later that night. Kyle Larson, another playoff competitor, won this race last year en route to his series championship.
Everything you need to know for the AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 500:
NASCAR Cup Series Texas weekend schedule and how to watch
Fans in the United States can watch the race on the USA network, the USA mobile app or the NBC Sports app (cable or satellite subscription required). Radio coverage is available on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM.
(All times ET)
Sunday, Sept. 25
Pre-race show: 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. ET (USA)
AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 500: 3:30 - 7:30 p.m. ET (USA, MRN, SiriusXM)
Post-race show: 7:30 - 8 p.m. ET (USA)
AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 500 starting grid
Brad Keselowski (6), RFK Racing Ford
Joey Logano (22), Team Penske Ford
William Byron (24), Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Tyler Reddick (8), Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
Michael McDowell (34), Front Row Motorsports Ford
Chase Elliott (9), Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Austin Dillon (3), Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
Denny Hamlin (11), Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Kyle Larson (5), Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Daniel Suarez (99), Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Austin Cindric (2), Team Penske Ford
Ross Chastain (1), Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Chris Buescher (17), RFK Racing Ford
Ryan Blaney (12), Team Penske Ford
Martin Truex Jr. (19), Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Ty Gibbs (45), 23XI Racing Chevrolet
Alex Bowman (48), Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Kyle Busch (18), Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Bubba Wallace (23), 23XI Racing Toyota
Harrison Burton (21), Wood Brothers Racing Ford
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (47), JTG Daugherty Racing Chevrolet
Christopher Bell (20), Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Kevin Harvick (4), Stewart-Haas Racing Ford
Cole Custer (41), Stewart-Haas Racing Ford
Aric Almirola (10), Stewart-Haas Racing Ford
Noah Gragson (16), Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
Erik Jones (43), Petty GMS Motorsports Chevrolet
Todd Gilliland (38), Front Row Motorsports Ford
Corey Lajoie (7), Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
Chase Briscoe (14), Stewart-Haas Racing Ford
Justin Haley (31), Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
Ty Dillon (42), Petty GMS Motorsports Chevrolet
Garrett Smithley (15), Rick Ware Racing Ford
BJ McLeod (78), Live Fast Motorsports Ford
Landon Cassill (77), Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
Cody Ware (51), Rick Ware Racing Chevrolet
Top drivers and best bets for the AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 500
Playoff drivers have the four best moneylines at BetMGM entering the weekend comprising Denny Hamlin (+600), Christopher Bell (+650), Larson (+700) and Elliott (+800). Kyle Busch, who has seen marked success in the Cup and Xfinity Series at Texas, has the best odds among non-playoff drivers remaining at +1000 along with Martin Truex Jr., who missed the playoffs by a quarter-panel.
Yahoo Sports' Nick Bromberg is still fading Chastain in the playoffs but suggests finding value in Tyler Reddick at +1400 or Elliott's and Larson's Hendrick Motorsports teammate Alex Bowman at +2000.
Weather forecast for the AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 500
It will be blisteringly hot for both Saturday's practice and qualifying as well as Sunday's race. Temperatures are forecast for the mid-90s both days the Cup Series is on track, so count on tire degradation being as much a concern as fuel economy for Sunday's race.
NASCAR Cup Series playoff standings
Chase Elliott - 3,040
Joey Logano - 3,025
Ross Chastain - 3,020
Kyle Larson - 3,019
William Byron - 3,015
Denny Hamlin - 3,013
Christopher Bell - 3,013
Ryan Blaney - 3,013
Chase Briscoe - 3,009
Alex Bowman - 3,007
Daniel Suarez - 3,007
Austin Cindric - 3,006