2017 Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race

The 2017 Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race, was a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race held on August 19, 2017 at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee. Contested over 500 laps on the .533 mi short track, it was the 24th race of the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season.

Background
The Bristol Motor Speedway, formerly known as Bristol International Raceway and Bristol Raceway, is a NASCAR short track venue located in Bristol, Tennessee. Constructed in 1960, it held its first NASCAR race on July 30, 1961. Despite its short length, Bristol is among the most popular tracks on the NASCAR schedule because of its distinct features, which include extraordinarily steep banking, an all concrete surface, two pit roads, and stadium-like seating. It has also been named one of the loudest NASCAR tracks.

First practice
Denny Hamlin was the fastest in the first practice session with a time of 14.848 seconds and a speed of 129.230 mph.

Final practice
Ryan Blaney was the fastest in the final practice session with a time of 14.926 seconds and a speed of 128.554 mph.

Qualifying
Erik Jones scored the pole for the race with a time of 14.981 and a speed of 128.082 mph.

Start
Erik Jones led the field to the green flag at 7:48 p.m., He led a total of 3 laps, The first caution flew on lap 63 for a single-car spin in turn 2, Aric Almirola spun out and went on to finish 37th.

The race restarted on lap 68, Kyle Busch roared to the front on the final lap to lead the race’s first stage. Kyle Larson led the previous lap but was caught behind lapped traffic as Busch pushed into the lead. Pole winner Jones edged Larson for second. Following Kyle Larson were Chase Elliott, Matt Kenseth, Denny Hamlin, Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano, Martin Truex Jr. and Jimmie Johnson, The second caution flew on lap 127 for conclusion of the first stage.

Stage 2
The race restarted on lap 135, The third caution flew on lap 202 when Ricky Stenhouse Jr. spun out in the backstretch, He went on to finish 14th.

The race restarted on lap 208 and it remained green for 25 laps, The fourth caution flew on lap 232 when Austin Dillon’s car spun and was hit hard by Jeffrey Earnhardt near the outside wall. Both drivers took their cars behind the wall.

The race restarted on lap 245, Matt Kenseth stayed on the track in first place during a caution period and put himself in position to win the second stage. Also in the top 10 were Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, Ryan Newman, Erik Jones, Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, Paul Menard and Clint Bowyer, the fifth caution flew on lap 252 for conclusion of the second stage.

Final stage
The race restarted on lap 257 and it remained green for 97 laps, The sixth caution of the evening flew with on lap 355 when Ty Dillon and Trevor Bayne had on-track issues at almost the same time. The incident ended a dominant run by Erik Jones.

The race restarted on lap 360, Kyle Busch took the lead on the following lap and led 37 laps.

The seventh caution flew on lap 397 for contact with Kevin Harvick that sent Chase Elliott spinning into the inside wall on the backstretch, After contending in the top 10, Elliott lost a lap in the pits. Harvick restarted in fourth place.

The race restarted on lap 402 and it remained green for 15 laps, The eighth caution flew on lap 417 for a two-car wreck involving Matt DiBenedetto and Landon Cassill, Both cars wrecked in turn 4.

The race restarted on lap 422, Kyle Busch drove on and scored his third career victory at Bristol.

Post race
Erik Jones put up a whale of a fight. That's all I had. I was running with my tongue hanging (out). My arms were jello and my throat hurts, but man that’s awesome." Busch said. "Car might not have been perfect, but I’m never perfect. I never feel like we’re perfect. ... So proud of Rowdy Nation, this one’s for you.”

Stage results
Stage 1 Laps: 125

Stage 2 Laps: 125

Final stage results
Laps: 250

Race statistics

 * Lead changes: 6 among different drivers
 * Cautions/Laps: 8 for 53
 * Red flags: 0
 * Time of race: 2 hours, 46 minutes and 37 seconds
 * Average speed: 95.969 mph

Television
NBC Sports covered the race on the television side. Rick Allen, Jeff Burton and Steve Letarte had the call in the booth for the race. Dave Burns, Parker Kligerman, Marty Snider and Kelli Stavast reported from pit lane during the race.

Radio
The Performance Racing Network had the radio call for the race, which was simulcast on Sirius XM NASCAR Radio.

Standings after the race

 * Drivers' Championship standings


 * Manufacturers' Championship standings
 * Note: Only the first 16 positions are included for the driver standings.
 * . – Driver has clinched a position in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.