Jelly Roll to give starting command for Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway

The NASCAR Cup Series is headed to Texas Motor Speedway for the next race in their Playoffs, and their calling the Whitsitt Chapel for help.

That’s the name of the latest album from Jason DeFord, better known by his stage name, Jelly Roll. He’ll be in attendance for the event on Sunday, playing a gigantic role.

NASCAR announced on Wednesday the Son Of A Sinner singer will be giving the command prior to the exciting event.

“Giving command Sunday for the Cup race at Texas … musician Jelly Roll,” tweeted FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass.

Jelly Roll brings the energy whenever he has a microphone in his hand. We’re expecting no different while he’s in front of thousands of screaming NASCAR fans at Texas Motor Speedway.

The race will have a ton of anticipation behind it, with Texas hosting the first race in the Round of 12 for the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. Who finishes first when it’s all said and done remains to be seen, but Jelly Roll is going to get things started.

More on the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, Texas Motor Speedway

After the first elimination race of the postseason, the NASCAR Playoff standings have once again reset. Denny Hamlin walked away with the win and the Bristol sword. He completed what might have been the most impressive Round of 16 performance this year. 

Looking at the championship favorites as we turn to the Round of 12, there are three drivers that have shown they are ready, two especially. 

Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson, and Tyler Reddick impressed most in the Round of 16. Hamlin was P25 at Darlington, but that was due to a loose wheel toward the end of the race. He followed it up by going P2 at Kansas and P1 at Bristol. Reddick has finishes of P2, P1, and P15 in those three races. 

Kyle Larson has finished P1, P4, and P2 in the Round of 16. Based on how the rest of the season has gone, it’s looking like we’re headed for a Hamlin-Larson battle. 

For now, let’s get into the NASCAR Playoff standings as the points now reset to 3000. This puts Martin Truex Jr. back at the top after scraping by to the Round of 12. 

NASCAR Playoff standings – Round of 12:
William Byron 3036
Martin Truex Jr. 3036
Denny Hamlin 3032
Kyle Larson 3023
Chris Buescher 3021
Kyle Busch 3019
Christopher Bell 3016
Tyler Reddick 3014
Ross Chastain 3011
Brad Keselowski 3011
Ryan Blaney 3008
Bubba Wallace 3000

A lot is being said about Denny Hamlin’s performance and rightfully so. However, Kyle Larson has been just as good, if not better. They are so close to one another in the NASCAR Playoff standings. One thing that doesn’t look good for Larson, he has six DNFs on the season. That is more than any other playoff driver.

On3’s Jonathan Howard contributed to this article.