NASCAR’s Bass Pro Shops Night Race saw four drivers eliminated from playoff contention, with the final 12 now decided.
Kyle Larson dominated in imperious style, leading more than 90% of the laps in the race and giving his opposition no chance of victory.
Both Chase Elliott and Bubba Wallace rounded out the podium with good performances around one of the shortest tracks on the calendar.
But it was another Wallace who has been sharing their disbelief after the encounter, as fans complained about the action around the updated Bristol oval.
Kenny Wallace fires back at ‘old fans’ after Bristol
Although on the face of it, a race which is dominated by one driver is never usually that exciting, there were other factors in play at Bristol.
Denny Hamlin had to drive a measured race to ensure his spot in the Round of 12, coming home in fourth place.
Speaking on his X account (formerly known as Twitter), former NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace disagreed with fans who called the Bristol race boring.
READ MORE: Why Watkins Glen finish was unlike any other in NASCAR playoffs history
“As a racecar driver, I’m watching the art of these guys racing. Was the race boring? That’s an eye-beholder.
“I call you all the old fans, the fans that are upset, but you call yourselves legacy fans now. Is that a clean version of fans that are old and angry?
“I do not agree with you and just to irritate you a little bit – not going to change my mind! It was a great race, it was a great night, it wasn’t the best race of all time but it was a great race, it was a good time.”
Where does NASCAR head next?
The next NASCAR playoffs race approaches quickly with the Hollywood Casino 400 this weekend at the Kansas Speedway.
It’s the first race in the Round of 12, where Kyle Larson leads the way comfortably at the top of the standings.
The drivers eliminated in Bristol include Ty Gibbs, Brad Keselowski, Harrison Burton and Martin Truex Jr – the latter of which endured a gutting race.
READ MORE: Denny Hamlin shares the reason why he ‘couldn’t hang on’ for Bristol win
Having made up the appropriate ground to reach the Round of 12 in the first 170 laps of the race, he was agonisingly dealt a penalty for speeding in the pit lane.
The margin of just 0.09mph meant that he was relegated to the back of the pack, and his hopes were dashed right before him.