JD Motorsports Bristol Preview

Chastain Rolls into Bristol

BRISTOL, Tenn. – The Xfinity Series makes its first seasonal visit to a short track this weekend for Saturday’s Fitzgerald Glider Kits 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway.
       And the race will make some NASCAR history. Breaking from long-time tradition, the event will be broken into two 50-lap heat races and the 200-lap feature. The heats will set the starting lineup for the main event.
       Ross Chastain will be shooting for a top-10 finish in the JD Motorsports with Gary Keller No. 4 Chevrolet.
       “It’s going to be an unusual weekend,” Chastain said. “No one really knows what to expect with the heat races and the changes. But, in the end, it’s all about having a good car and being smart. We’re looking to do well.”
       Chastain has some positive history at the Bristol half-mile. In 2012, he finished third in a Camping World Track Series race at BMS.
       Practice is scheduled at 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. (ET) Friday.
       Qualifying is set for 9:30 a.m. Saturday, with the heat races to follow at 12:30 p.m. The feature race is scheduled for 1:45 p.m.

New Format Greets Preece

BRISTOL, Tenn. – Ryan Preece will roll into Bristol Motor Speedway for the first time this weekend facing a new NASCAR format.
       Saturday’s Fitzgerald Glider Kits 300 Xfinity Series race will be broken into two 50-lap heat races and the 200-lap feature. It’s a new format for NASCAR in its No. 2 series.
       Preece, driving the G&K Services Chevrolet, will be among the rookies challenging the track and the new format.
       “I really don’t know what to expect with the changes, but I’m looking forward to getting on that track,” Preece said. “I’ve heard and read a lot about it over the years, but you really can’t imagine what to expect until you run some laps. We’ll hopefully get in a strong run.”
Practice is scheduled at 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. (ET) Friday.
       Qualifying is set for 9:30 a.m. Saturday, with the heat races to follow at 12:30 p.m. The feature race is scheduled for 1:45 p.m.

Smithley to Test Bristol

 BRISTOL, Tenn. – Rookie Garrett Smithley will drive at the tough Bristol Motor Speedway half-mile for the first time in Saturday’s Fitzgerald Glider Kits 300 Xfinity Series race.
       The 300-lap event will be the first short-track race of the Xfinity season, and it will be an unusual one.
       NASCAR is introducing heat races to its Xfinity competition this season. On Saturday, the field will be split for a pair of 50-lap heat races, and the results of those sprints will set the starting lineup for the 200-lap main.
       So not only will the track be new for Smithley but the format will also offer a challenge.
       “It’s going to be a fun weekend there,” Smithley said. “It’s a lot to focus on for the first time there, but I’m ready for it. The track is a big challenge, but it’s going to be fun.”
       Practice is scheduled at 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. (ET) Friday.
       Qualifying is set for 9:30 a.m. Saturday, with the heat races to follow at 12:30 p.m. The feature race is scheduled for 1:45 p.m.

(JD Motorsports Press Release)

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