NASCAR's round of 16 in Texas on Sunday spawned a drama long before the engines were fired, hopefully anticipating a ferocious EchoPark Automotive 500 autotrader.
Martin Truex Jr. was docked with 20 points for failing a pre-race inspection and is now in serious trouble getting a spot in the championship. After Joey Logano's victory last weekend, there are only three positions left.
The main fight to watch out for on Sunday will be between Brad Keselowski and Chase Elliott, who are separated by eight points on either side of the border line.
The drivers of the Cup series who are still eligible for the championship are listed below, sorted by points:
| Item | driver | Distance to the cut-off |
| 1 | Joey Logano | ADV |
| 2 | Kevin Harvick | +41 |
| 3 | Denny Hamlin | +20 |
| 4th | Brad Keselowski | +8 |
| CUT OFF | CUT OFF | CUT OFF |
| 5 | Chase Elliott | -8th |
| 6th | Alex Bowman | -27 |
| 7th | Martin Truex Jr. | -51 |
| 8th | Kurt Busch | -73 |
Sporting News is following live updates and highlights from Sunday's NASCAR race in Texas. Follow below for full updates from the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500.
MORE: Watch Sunday NASCAR Race Live with fuboTV (7-Day Free Trial)
NASCAR Texas Live Updates, 2020 Playoff Race Highlights
5:38 pm: NASCAR says it is making negative strides.
NASCAR Says It's Losing Ground Faster Than Before (It's Getting Wetter) … NASCAR will turn off the jet dryers and refuel.
– Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) October 25, 2020
5:26 pm: Cars remain covered in Texas.
4:55 pm: It could be a long time before we see a green flag.
NASCAR says the fog is heavy enough that the areas where it dried the track are wet again.
– Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) October 25, 2020
4:48 pm: Texas has lights for what it's worth.
4:35 pm: Red flag.
4:30 pm: Harvick struggles to find out what's wrong with his car after bumping into the wall.
Sounds like Harvick (P36 at the moment) has to pit again and the team will try to get under the car and fix it.
– Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) October 25, 2020
4:28 pm: Yikes
Rodney Childers: "My computer is so wet the mouse doesn't even work."
– Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) October 25, 2020
4:19 pm: Caution finally out for the weather.
4:16 pm: Harvick's team is upset that the race isn't yellow because of the moisture.
"It's fucking raining. It's ridiculous." heard on Kevin Harvick's team radio.
– Matt Mayer (@MatthewMayerCBS) October 25, 2020
4:15 pm: There is a low level of fog that may make the road surface slippery.
4:13 pm: Harvick into the wall.
4:11 pm: Green on lap 27.
4:03 pm: Beware of JJ Yeley.
This will be the caution of competition.
– Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) October 25, 2020
4 p.m .: Kevin Harvick retains an early lead.
3:56 pm: Back to green.
3:53 pm: Beware of Chris Buescher in the fifth round.
3:49 pm: Green flag.
3:48 pm: Truex Jr. sends a message to his team.
Martin Truex Jr. explains to the 19 group during the pace laps: “We have a great team. We can do this. I'm ready to go. "| #NASCAR
– Kelly Crandall (@KellyCrandall) October 25, 2020
3:30 a.m.: The green flag is supposed to come at 3:47 p.m. Pre-race ceremonies are underway.
NASCAR race start time today
The round of 16 of the NASCAR playoffs in Texas on Sunday should begin around 3:30 p.m. ET.
The race comprises 334 laps over three stages and becomes official after lap 167. The distance of the race is 501 miles.
NASCAR in Texas starting grid
Here is the full grid for Sunday's NASCAR race in Texas:
| begin | driver | Car no. | team |
| 1 | Kevin Harvick (P) | 4th | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 2 | Joey Logano (P) | 22nd | Team Penske |
| 3 | Brad Keselowski (P) | 2 | Team Penske |
| 4th | Chase Elliott (P) | 9 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 5 | Alex Bowman (P) | 88 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 6th | Martin Truex Jr. (P) | 19th | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 7th | Denny Hamlin (P) | 11 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 8th | Kurt Busch (P) | 1 | Chip Ganassi Racing |
| 9 | Kyle Busch | 18th | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 10 | Ryan Blaney | 12 | Team Penske |
| 11 | William Byron | 24 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 12 | Austin Dillon | 3 | Richard Childress Racing |
| 13 | Aric Almirola | 10 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 14th | Matt DiBenedetto | 21st | Wood Brothers Racing |
| fifteen | Christopher Bell | 95 | Leavine Family Racing |
| 16 | Cole Custer | 41 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 17th | Erik Jones | 20th | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 18th | Bubba Wallace | 43 | Richard Petty Motorsports |
| 19th | Tyler Reddick | 8th | Richard Childress Racing |
| 20th | Chris Buescher | 17th | Roush Fenway Racing |
| 21st | Clint Bowyer | 14th | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 22nd | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | 47 | JTG Daugherty Racing |
| 23 | Michael McDowell | 34 | Motorsport in the front row |
| 24 | John Hunter Nemechek | 38 | Motorsport in the front row |
| 25th | Ryan Newman | 6th | Roush Fenway Racing |
| 26th | Jimmie Johnson | 48 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 27 | Ty Dillon | 13 | Germain Racing |
| 28 | Corey LaJoie | 32 | Go Fas Racing |
| 29 | Ryan Preece | 37 | JTG Daugherty Racing |
| 30th | Daniel Suarez | 96 | Gaunt Brothers Racing |
| 31 | Brennan Poole | fifteen | Premium motorsport |
| 32 | Matt Kenseth | 42 | Chip Ganassi Racing |
| 33 | JJ Yeley | 27 | Rick Ware Racing |
| 34 | Quin Houff | 00 | StarCom Racing |
| 35 | Reed Sorenson | 77 | Spire Motorsports |
| 36 | Timmy Hill | 66 | MBM Motorsport |
| 37 | Josh Bilicki | 7th | Tommy Baldwin Racing |
| 38 | Garrett Smithley | 53 | Rick Ware Racing |
| 39 | Joey gases | 51 | Petty Ware Racing |
| 40 | Chad Finchum | 49 | MBM Motorsport |
(P) Playoff driver.
