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The round of 12 gets underway Sunday in the Monster Energy Cup playoffs. FOX’s Matt Napolitano has more: It’s down to a dozen in the quest for the Cup as the top circuit returns to Charlotte�for the Bank of America 500 Sunday. Kyle Busch�entering this race weekend in quest of his third straight win, but says momentum doesn’t mean anything in the playoffs: (Busch) “There’s a lot of racing to go. You know, I think week to week you can probably change your favorite.” Busch trailing the leader Martin Truex Jr. by 18 points in the playoff standings. This as one of the final 12 speaks out on pay for drivers. Denny Hamlin�sounding off during the week that salary should be on the level of athletes in leagues like the NBA and the NFL: (Denny Hamlin) “They’re risking their life each and every weekend, and they’re on the road just, you know, just like everyone else is each and every weekend.” Hamlin speaking with Sirius XM NASCAR�Radio there, calling for more revenue from NASCAR’s�TV deal to be shared with teams. This as NASCAR�unveiled rule changes for 2018 to cars that will see the addition of radiators and common flat splitters for all races, and efforts to increase down-force�and horsepower for competitors. FOX in the Fast Lane,�I’m Matt Napolitano, FOX News. Follow Matt Napolitano on Twitter: @MattNapolitano

The Monster Energy Cup playoffs get underway this weekend. FOX’s Matt Napolitano has this week’s “FOX in the Fast Lane”:

One last race under the lights before the start of the Monster Energy Cup playoffs. FOX’s Matt Napolitano reports: Another go under the lights Saturday night for the Cup series at Richmond Raceway for the Federated Auto Parts 400. With three spots still up for grabs in the playoffs, drivers sitting on the outside looking in in the standings like Erik Jones are hoping to grab that checkered flag at America’s premier short track: (Jones) “Obviously, we’re gonna be pushing hard, and there’s gonna be times throughout the night where I’m sure we’re going to be taking chances that we wouldn’t take.” And drivers like Denny Hamlin who have clinched a spot are just looking to keep the momentum going: (Hamlin) “We know every point is super critical, so you don’t take anything for granted.” Both drivers appearing on Sirius XM NASCAR Radio. Speaking of Hamlin, his win last weekend at Darlington has been encumbered and he’s been docked 25 driver’s points due to an L-1 penalty assessed to the No. 11 team with crew chief Mike Wheeler suspended two races for a rear suspension violation in post-race inspection. Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s team was also handed a post-race penalty for lug nuts not properly installed. Crew chief Greg Ives will sit out the action at Richmond. FOX in the Fast Lane, I’m Matt Napolitano, FOX News. Follow Matt Napolitano on Twitter: @MattNapolitano

The Monster Energy Cup series returns this weekend for night racing at Darlington. FOX’s Matt Napolitano with “FOX in the Fast Lane”: After a weekend away, the Cup series heads to Darlington with two races to go before the start of the playoffs. They’ll go under the lights Sunday night at the track too tough to tame for the Bojangles Southern 500. Only three spots are up for grabs in the Monster Energy Cup playoffs. Chase Elliott among those drivers on the bubble. This as Hendrick Motorsports announced a reshuffling in the numbers for 2018, with Elliott set to now drive the No. 9 for the team. Elliott says teammate Dale Jr. had a hand in making No. 9 a reality: (Elliott) “I think he had done a little persuading himself to Mr. Hendrick too and, you know, really, I didn’t really expect any of it to happen.” Elliott carrying on the legacy of his dad, Bill, with the No. 9, but who will take over behind the wheel of the No. 24 once driven by Jeff Gordon? Well, that will be William Byron: (Byron) “I’ve got a great opportunity at Hendrick Motorsports to succeed and a lot of great resources, so there’s some pressure there, but there’s also a lot of excitement.” Byron and Elliott speaking with Sirius XM NASCAR Radio. FOX in the Fast Lane, I’m Matt Napolitano, FOX News. Follow Matt Napolitano on Twitter: @MattNapolitano

The Cup series goes under the lights Saturday night at Bristol. FOX’s Matt Napolitano previews this weekend’s big races in this “FOX in the Fast Lane”: With three races to go before the start of the Cup playoffs, the Monster Energy Series hits the short track at Bristol Motor Speedway for this season’s bass pro shops NRA night race. Though Dale Earnhardt Jr. has only once twice in his career at Thunder Valley. The night race at Bristol has a special meaning to him dating back to his childhood: (Earnhardt Jr.) “As a 12 to 15-year-old kid, this place was just the ultimate playground and we enjoyed coming here.” Jr. sits in 22nd in the Monster Energy Cup standings, but his first win of 2017 could elevate him into a playoff spot. Multiple drivers are hoping for that opportunity to strike Saturday night at Bristol, like Erik Jones: (Jones) “We got three more shots at it before the Chase, so hopefully we can do it.” Jones will have his crew chief Chris Gayle back atop the pit box after his two race suspension. This as Joe Gibbs Racing has transferred management responsibility for Jones and Martin Truex Jr’s pit crews to furniture row racing. However, JGR will still be responsible for training those crew members. FOX in the Fast Lane, I’m Matt Napolitano, FOX News.

The Monster Energy Cup Series returns to Michigan this weekend. FOX’s Matt Napolitano speeds in with “FOX in the Fast Lane”: Four races to go before the start of the Cup playoffs and drivers head back to Brooklyn… Michigan that is, for the Pure Michigan 400 Sunday. This as Hendrick Motorsports announced a shakeup in their 2018 team with Kasey Kahne leaving the No. 5 Chevy at the end of the season and 19-year-old William Byron stepping behind the wheel next year: (Byron) “Opportunities like this, you never know when they’re gonna come, and I feel like I can learn on the fly.” Byron with three wins so far in X-Finity Series action for Junior Motorsports. He’ll get to drive the new Chevy model for Hendrick next season as the automaker unveils the Camaro ZL1, which will replace the current SS on NASCAR’s top circuit. Byron following in similar footsteps to Joey Logano, who got his big break at age 19 for Joe Gibbs Racing: (Logano) “It’s a good little mix, I think they’ve got over there with some younger guys, really young guys, and a very great champion.” Byron joining Alex Bowman, Chase Elliott and 7-time Cup champ Jimmie Johnson to make up the 2018 Hendrick Motorsports cup series squad. FOX in the Fast Lane, I’m Matt Napolitano, FOX News. Follow Matt Napolitano on Twitter: @MattNapolitano