NASCAR Cup Series

BRISTOL, Tenn. -- The trend of increased timing zones won't include this weekend's events at Thunder Valley. NASCAR will not increase the number of timing zones for this week's events at Bristol Motor Speedway. The number will remain at 14 instead of 18. NASCAR decided not to increase them because it's comfortable with the number of zones in place.

Elliott leads the 2016 Rookie of the Year contender standings heading into Bristol Motor Speedway by 48 points over second-place Ryan Blaney and 77 points over third-place Chris Buescher. Elliott has accumulated a total of 247 rookie points this year through the first 22 points-paying races.

Jeffrey Earnhardt on Bristol: "Bristol is definitely one of my favorite tracks. The action is intense and I've had decent runs there in the past. I'm looking forward to it and I'm optimistic that we'll have a strong race."

The NASCAR industry is well rested from a rare off weekend, and Brian Scott is ready to head to one of the most anticipated night races of the year this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway. Scott will race the No. 44 Medallion Financial, JACOB Companies Ford under the lights for 500 laps, looking for redemption from the spring race in which the team finished 30th following a late-race spin and contact with the wall.

With the final off-weekend of the 2016 season in the books, Aric Almirola feels recharged and ready to return to Bristol Motor Speedway, one of his favorite tracks on the NASCAR circuit.

Biffle has an average starting position of 14.8 and finishing position of 13.1 at the short track; tying with Michigan for his second-best finishing track.

After a week off the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series returns to action on Saturday with the annual running of the Bristol Night Race. Ford has won 36 times at the half-mile track, which is tied for the most at any single track in the manufacturers’ history (Michigan).

Detroit Red Wings Head Coach Jeff Blashill will serve as the grand marshal for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pure Michigan 400 on August 28 at Michigan International Speedway.

Going gets tough: “Going into Bristol Motor Speedway, you know that it’s definitely going to be a tough race,” Allmendinger said. “It’s always going to be a grind no matter what. We're ready and we've got a sweet looking ride with BUSH'S Grillin' Beans on board. It's a home track for the brand. We look forward to seeing everyone from BUSH'S this weekend.”

Richard Childress Racing's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series history at Bristol Motor Speedway ... In 158 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Bristol Motor Speedway, Richard Childress Racing boasts nine wins - seven with Dale Earnhardt, one with Kevin Harvick and one with Jeff Burton - three pole awards, 33 top-five and 66 top-10 finishes. The Welcome, N.C.-based organization has led 3,669 laps at the "World's Fastest Half-Mile."