Concrete returned to the Bristol Spring race after three straight dirt races, but it led to major tire issues during the Food City 500. Denny Hamlin won for the second straight race at the Bristol Motor Speedway but the way they track ate the tires remains the dominant headline from the race weekend. The race saw a record number of lead changes, strong performances from veteran drivers and only five cars finished on the lead lap. Still, many drivers say they never want to run a race like that again.
Hamlin passed teammate Martin Truex Jr. in traffic for the final of what would be 54 lead changes to secure the victory. The win marks Hamlin’s fourth at the track, second only to Kyle Busch among active drivers. It was also the 52nd win of his career, by far the most ever by a driver without a championship.
Unfortunately for Hamlin, and the other drivers, the tire issues are all that will be remembered from this race. Goodyear brought the same tires that worked fine during the night race back in September. But the concrete surface wreaked havoc on the rubber this time. The track began eating through tire cords about 45 laps into a green flag run. Hamlin proved to be best equipped, but few of the drivers will be glowing about this race when reminiscing in their later years.
Top 10 Bristol Finishers
- Denny Hamlin
- Martin Truex Jr.
- Brad Keselowski
- Alex Bowman
- Kyle Larson
- John Hunter Nemechek
- Chris Buescher
- Ty Gibbs
- Chase Elliott
- Christopher Bell
NASCAR Top 10 Standings After Bristol
- Kyle Larson
- Martin Truex Jr.
- Ty Gibbs
- Ryan Blaney
- Denny Hamlin
- Chase Elliott
- Ross Chastain
- Christopher Bell
- Tyler Reddick
- William Byron
Craftsman Truck Series at Bristol
While tire issues dominated the Cup Series race, Christian Eckes dominated the Truck Series race. Eckes started on the pole and led 144 laps in the race holding off a charge from his former truck owner, Kyle Busch. The win serves as redemption for Eckes who lost a late lead at the track in September to Corey Heim and finished second. That second-place finish was enough to prevent Eckes from joining the Championship Four in Phoenix later in the year. With this win, Eckes is assured a playoff spot in the Craftsman Truck Series.
Bristol Truck Series Top 10 Finishers
- Christian Eckes
- Kyle Busch
- Zane Smith
- Matt Crafton
- Tyler Ankrum
- Corey Heim
- Taylor Gray
- Rajah Caruth
- Grant Enfinger
- Layne Riggs
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Standings
- Tyler Ankrum
- Corey Heim
- Rajah Caruth
- Ty Majeski
- Christian Eckes
- Nick Sanchez
- Taylor Gray
- Matt Crafton
- Grant Enfinger
- Bret Holmes
Next up for NASCAR
All three of NASCAR’s top series return to the track next weekend but it will be a different style of racing. Leaving the banked short tracks of Bristol behind, NASCAR heads to the Circuit of the America road course in Texas. The Truck and Xfinity Series will race a doubleheader on Saturday while the Cup drivers take center stage Sunday.
Looking to write on Sports? Come Join us.
Subscribe to Fantom Sports on YouTube!
Invest in your favorite athletes with “Prediction Strike!” Use code FANTOM when you sign up!