BRISTOL, TN -- A big race is set to take place under the lights on Saturday, as drivers look to secure a place in the second round of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs when they compete in the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Here are the key storylines for the race: Four playoff drivers will be eliminated Saturday night. Two former champions — Martin Truex Jr. and Brad Keselowski — are among the four drivers below the cutline entering the race. Also below the cutline are Denny Hamlin and Harrison Burton.

So this year's field is fairly watered down, and yet Denny Hamlin, Brad Keselowski, Martin Truex Jr. and Harrison Burton are all below the cutline headed into the first elimination race of the playoffs. The bottom four drivers at the end of Saturday night ...

There are some big surprises both at the top and bottom of the NASCAR playoff standings entering Saturday night's elimination race at Bristol.

Friday, practice, 4 p.m.; qualifying, 5:05 p.m.; Saturday, race, 7:30 p.m. (USA Network) Track: Bristol Motor Speedway. Race distance: 500 laps, 266.5 miles. Last year: Denny Hamlin started second in the No.

The first elimination race of this year's NASCAR Cup Series playoffs has a pair of former series champions and a three-time Daytona 500 winner in danger of being bumped from title contention Saturday night at Bristol Motor Speedway.