Who got eliminated from 2024 NASCAR Playoffs after Bristol race? Everything you need to know

The Bass Pro Shops Night Race at the Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday marked the third and final race of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs Round of 16. With 11 spots left to fill in the Round of 12 prior to the green flag, four drivers were doomed to go home disappointed.

Some drivers managed to maximize their respective races and come home with a solid finish to push them into the next round with momentum. For others, it was a struggle to find speed, but they managed to salvage a good result and advance to the Round of 12.

Unfortunately for four drivers, Saturday marked the end of their 2024 Cup Series championship hopes. Here, we'll take a look at who was unable to advance out of the Round of 16.

---

Martin Truex Jr. failed to make the NASCAR Cup Series Round of 12 in his final full-time season

NASCAR: Cook Out 400 - Source: Imagn

In his final full-time Cup Series season, Martin Truex Jr. was unable to advance out of the first round of the playoffs following a 24th-place finish at Bristol. The New Jersey native had a strong car over much of the 500-lap event, placing fourth in stage one and second in stage two, which awarded him a combined 16 points towards the standings.

However, a pit road speeding penalty on his last stop of the race doomed the 2017 champion, putting him at the back of the pack, and he was unable to recover. Despite running in top five for nearly the entire race, a costly mistake on the pit road forced the 44-year-old out of the playoffs in his retirement season.

---

Ty Gibbs

NASCAR: Playoff Media Day - Source: Imagn

Despite entering Saturday's race six points above the cut-line, Ty Gibbs was unable to advance out of the Round of 16 following a 15th-place finish at Bristol. The second-year driver placed eighth in stage one, but like his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate did later in the race, he committed a pit road speeding violation that forced him to drop to the rear of the field.

As the race went on, the grandson of team owner Joe Gibbs began climbing his way back through the field and cracked the top 10 late in the race. It was a great rally by the 2022 Xfinity Series champion, but he was unable to gain the amount of spots needed, ultimately dropping back in the race's final laps to finish 15th, which eliminated him from the playoffs.

---

Brad Keselowski

NASCAR: Go Bowling at The Glen - Source: Imagn

It wasn't the race most expected from the 2012 Cup Series champion, as Brad Keselowski, who had won at Bristol three times previously, finished 26th on Saturday and failed to make it out of the Round of 16.

The Michigan native started the race from 23rd place and seemingly never found the speed needed to make up significant ground. The 40-year-old entered the race at the 0.5-mile track below the cut-line, and after finishing 26th, three laps behind race winner Kyle Larson, the championship hopes of the RFK Racing co-owner went down the tubes.

---

Harrison Burton

NASCAR: Cup Practice and Qualifying - Source: Imagn

Needing a win to advance to the Round of 12, it was a difficult night for Harrison Burton. The 23-year-old finished 35th in Saturday's race, which ended his first career playoff run.

The driver of the #21 Wood Brother's Racing Ford suffered power steering issues mid-way through the 500-lap event, forcing him to take the car to the garage. While the team managed to get the North Carolina native back on track, his night was already over as he finished the race 78 laps behind Larson, ending his championship hopes.

The NASCAR Cup Series Round of 12 kicks off next Sunday at the Kansas Motor Speedway. Talladega Superspeedway will host the second race of the round, while the Charlotte Roval will be the cut-off race to determine who makes the Round of 8.