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NASCAR playoffs: Live updates from Texas as seven playoff drivers start in the Top 10

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