NASCAR Drivers Eager to Return to Action at Bristol

Defending champion Kyle Larson and the field look to end rare off-week and get back on the track.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 8:51pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a NASCAR race at Bristol Motor Speedway, with the cars and track broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and shape.The chaotic, high-speed action of NASCAR racing at Bristol Motor Speedway is captured in a cubist, geometric style that reflects the sport's intensity.Bristol Today

After a rare weekend off, NASCAR drivers are eager to return to action at Bristol Motor Speedway. Defending champion Kyle Larson, who is mired in a 31-race winless streak, is ready to get back behind the wheel and compete on the high-banked Bristol oval. Other drivers like Brad Keselowski and Josh Berry also expect an aggressive race, despite a new championship format that penalizes aggression. Meanwhile, Alex Bowman is set to return after missing four races due to a bout of vertigo, though he acknowledges Bristol may be the 'worst place possible' for his comeback.

Why it matters

Bristol is known for its rough-and-tumble racing, and the return to action at the short track could provide an early indicator of how drivers are adapting to the new NASCAR championship format. The new system, which determines the 16-driver playoff field based on cumulative points rather than wins, may incentivize more conservative driving. However, the drivers insist they haven't noticed a change in the level of aggression so far this season.

The details

The NASCAR Cup Series is returning to Bristol Motor Speedway after a rare off-week in the 36-race schedule. Defending champion Kyle Larson, who has led 1,762 laps in 19 starts at Bristol, is the betting favorite at +375. Larson, who is mired in a 31-race winless streak, says he's eager to get back behind the wheel and continue his dominance at the short track. Other top contenders include four-time Bristol winner Denny Hamlin (+550), Ryan Blaney (+650), and Christopher Bell (+650), who won Friday night's truck race. Meanwhile, Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman is set to return after missing four races due to a bout of vertigo, though he acknowledges Bristol may be the 'worst place possible' for his comeback.

  • Larson last won at Bristol in May 2022, 31 races ago.
  • The last time the Cup Series went into overtime at Bristol due to a late caution was in April 2015, an 18-race stretch.

The players

Kyle Larson

The defending NASCAR champion who frequently moonlights on dirt tracks and is the betting favorite at +375 to win at Bristol.

Brad Keselowski

The 2012 NASCAR champion who is surprised by the lack of adaptation to the new championship format that penalizes aggression.

Josh Berry

The Wood Brothers Racing driver who says his mindset has been different due to the higher penalty for wrecking out under the new points-based championship system.

Alex Bowman

The Hendrick Motorsports driver who is returning after missing four races due to a bout of vertigo, though he acknowledges Bristol may be the 'worst place possible' for his comeback.

Connor Zilisch

The 19-year-old Trackhouse Racing rookie who was impressed by the Augusta National's ban on cellphones at the Masters golf tournament.

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What they’re saying

“I wish I could get more of it, but at the same time, I just want to race to get better. You take a week off, and it's like, 'Man, I just want to keep going.'”

— Kyle Larson

“I'm actually quite shocked we haven't seen more of a different style. I don't think it's really clicking yet for a good part of the field who just never grew up racing in a system like this. They're going to have to adapt or be replaced. Sometimes you have to feel the pain first.”

— Brad Keselowski, 2012 NASCAR champion

“There's a higher penalty for wrecking out. Subconsciously, there probably is more give and take because there should be. Your finishes are going to determine whether you make The Chase or not and have a chance to win the championship.”

— Josh Berry, Wood Brothers Racing driver

“It's a track that is extremely difficult. I'm trying to get back up to speed. I think expectations probably change a little bit this week. If we could get out of here with a top 10, top 15, I'd be happy.”

— Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports driver

“As a kid, it kind of felt weird every time I went to go take a picture, and I'd reach for my pocket, there was nothing there. It was awesome not having your phone. Every sporting event nowadays, you look at every big moment, and everybody's always filming it with their phones or trying to take pictures. And to have so many people there that were just engaged in the event, it definitely made it different and unique.”

— Connor Zilisch, Trackhouse Racing rookie

What’s next

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The takeaway

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