NASCAR Playoffs: Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500 top moments

The 2022 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 12 kicked off Sunday with the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500 in Forth Worth, Texas.

It was the fourth race of a 10-week stretch of competition that ends in Arizona in November, when just four drivers will compete in the highly anticipated NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway.

Related: NASCAR spoilers: Who will surprise in second round of playoffs?

The 12 drivers who were part of the playoff field in Sunday’s race — ordered by points at end of Bristol — included Christopher Bell, William Byron, Denny Hamlin, Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson, Ross Chastain, Joey Logano, Alex Bowman, Ryan Blaney, Chase Briscoe, Daniel Suárez and Austin Cindric. 

The four drivers eliminated after the Round of 16 competition: Tyler Reddick, Kyle Busch, Austin Dillon and Kevin Harvick.

Related: What Larson, Logano, rest of field must do in NASCAR playoffs’ second round

Here are the top moments from Texas Motor Speedway:

Crank it Up!

Green flag up

We’re underway in Texas!

Martin Truex Jr. loses control

Truex lost control on Turn 4 on Lap 40, triggering the first caution of the day.

Caution flag back out – quickly

Shortly after Truex lost control, another veteran did the same. This time it was Kyle Busch, who hit the wall on Turn 4 on Lap 49. Busch quickly drove back to the garage.

Make it two more

Bell got a flat tire and Cole Custer crashed into the wall, forcing the fourth caution of the race on Lap 78.

Fifth caution of the day

Bowman crashed into the wall on Turn 4.

Larson takes Stage 1

Larson, who led for 17 laps, won Stage 1. Byron led for 41 laps, the most in the stage.

More issues for Bell

Bell hit the wall on Turn 4, making it his second caution of the day. His day was over.

Fire on pit road

Flames erupted on pit lane for Harrison Burton.

Accident on pit lane

Cody Ware crashed into the pit road wall after hitting Turn 4. He was being attended to.

Elliott’s car catches fire

Elliott, who was previously in first place for 41 laps, had his car catch fire on Turn 4 of Lap 184 after a blown tire. Blaney subsequently took the lead. Elliott’s day was over.

Blaney takes Stage 2

Blaney won Stage 2 and led 28 laps.

Stay tuned for updates.