NASCAR insider Bob Pockrass reveals his playoff elimination picks and winner for Bristol race

The 2024 NASCAR Cup Series playoff season heads to the 0.5-mile short Bristol Motor Speedway for Saturday’s Bass Pro Shops Night Race. Ahead of the Round of 16’s playoff elimination race, NASCAR insider Bob Pockrass revealed his prediction, picking the winner, top-five finishers, drivers to get eliminated from playoffs, and longshot to win at Bristol.

FOX Sports’ Pockrass picked Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman to take the checkered flag at Bristol. Bowman finished a career-best P4 at this track in this year’s Bristol Spring race and will start from pole in Saturday’s race.

Rounding out Pockrass’ top-five predictions are Kyle Larson, Ryan Blaney, William Byron, and Ty Gibbs. He also picked four drivers to get eliminated from the playoffs: Chase Briscoe, Brad Keselowski, Harrison Burton, and Martin Truex Jr. Keselowski, Burton, and Truex are currently below the playoff cutline. He named Austin Cindric as a longshot pick.

On X, Pockrass wrote:

“My pick for the Cup race tonight at Bristol: Alex Bowman ... top-5: Bowman Larson Blaney Byron Gibbs .... longshot: Cindric .... drivers eliminated from playoffs: Briscoe, Keselowski, Burton, Truex”

If Alex Bowman manages to win, he will be in good position for the next round of playoffs.

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Kevin Harvick bets on Denny Hamlin to win NASCAR playoff race at Bristol

Former driver-tuned commentator Kevin Harvick chose Denny Hamlin as a favorite to win the Round of 16’s playoff elimination race at Bristol.

Hamlin is coming off an outside top-20 finish and will start eighth on Saturday. The #11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota driver is fighting for his playoff chances. He stands 13th in the Cup Series playoff standings, just six points behind the cutline.

In the latest episode of “Happy Hour," when his co-host Kaitlyn Vincie asked to pick his favorite bet for the Bristol race, Harvick said:

“I don't know. I'm almost getting tired of guessing because my guesses have been so wrong. I think if you go off of the first race, it's going to be a Gibbs car with the way that they ran. But gosh, do I just think I have to go off the Denny Hamlin thing because he's just been so wrong for me. I can't do it. I'm going with Denny.” [49:51]

Catch NASCAR Cup Series drivers and teams in action at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday, September 21 at 7:30 pm ET. The race will be telecast on USA Network.