Custer is the reigning Xfinity Series champion and although Stewart-Haas Racing is closing at the end of the season, team owner Gene Haas is keeping one Cup Series charter to run Custer next year. Sheldon Creed finished second for the 11th time in three seasons as the Joe Gibbs Racing driver remained winless in his Xfinity Series career.

The NASCAR Xfinity Series playoff field was set after Friday's Food City 300 at Bristol, with Cole Custer winning the race and the regular season points title. But Justin Allgaier comes into the first playoff race as the playoff points leader, 27 points ahead of the cutoff line.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. says he anticipates that tonight's Xfinity Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway will be his final series race to at least 2026. Earnhardt, who turns 50 in October, said Friday afternoon that there is no sponsor requirement that he race next year.