In what should be an exciting prelude to next year’s NASCAR Playoff triple-header coming to Bristol Motor SpeedwaySeptember 17-19, 2020 – which will showcase significant playoff races for all three of NASCAR’s top three series culminating with the first cut-off race for the Monster Energy Cup Series in a crazy Saturday night of action – the Gander Outdoors Truck Series will kick-off its 2019 Playoffs at The Last Great Colosseum on Thursday night, August 15.
For fans of the historic half-mile high-banked bullring in Northeast Tennessee, they know that they can count on the UNOH 200 presented by Ohio Logistics to be a thrilling, edge-of-their-seat experience.
Sparks will fly, tempers will flare and Bristol-style short track beating and banging on the track will ensue. And the lucky winner who survives the chaos of the historic first NASCAR Playoff race to be showcased at BMS will be guaranteed to advance to the next round of the playoffs, The Round of 6, which starts at Talladega in October.
Truck Series points leader Grant Enfinger, who has raced to 10 top-10s in the season’s first 13 races, said he expects an even wilder night to unfold than what a typical Bristol race offers.
“As far as this being Round One of the playoffs, obviously, everybody that’s in, they’ve got to have everything on kill and have got to have a good run,” Enfinger said. “Bristol is one of those places that it’s incredibly fun to drive, because it’s so fast, so high-banked. It will take your breath the first few laps around here. But, man, stuff happens in a hurry here, too.”
Reigning Truck Series champ Brett Moffitt, currently third in points with two wins and seven top-five finishes, in his No. 24 GMS Racing entry, says drivers will need to focus on staying out of trouble, but will still need to be aggressive. He says Bristol in the NASCAR Playoffs will throw a curveball at teams because of how quickly things can escalate there if a driver gets out of position.
“There’s always a lot of hype around Bristol because it’s such an exciting place and the fans love it,” said reigning Truck Series champ Brett Moffitt. “We try to put on the best show we can for them. As a driver, it’s not one that you circle and say, ‘I know I can have a good run here.’ Bristol kind of puts everyone on edge, just with there being so many unknowns at this racetrack.”
Thorsport Racing’s Ben Rhodes who has a Bristol best finish of fifth back in 2017 and has generally run well on the all-concrete oval in the past is looking forward to the challenge.
“I can’t think of a more perfect place to start the playoffs,” Rhodes said.
One thing is certain, night racing under bright lights, plus the ultra-competitive drivers in the Truck Series, plus the NASCAR Playoffs on the line will definitely equal an explosive combination.
“Everybody’s being pretty aggressive this year in trying to score stage points and wins,” said Canadian driver Stewart Friesen, who is second in the points order. “I’m sure with Bristol now being the first race of the playoffs, everybody will be even more hungry.”
In three weeks, NASCAR fans will once again be able to cheer on all of their favorite drivers and watch some amazing finishes as the weekend will feature final regular season races for both the Xfinity Series and the Monster Energy Cup Series.
Bristol dominator Kyle Busch, his brother and defending Night Race winner Kurt Busch, Martin Truex Jr., Kevin Harvick, defending series champion Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski, Chase Elliott, Jimmie Johnson and Ryan Blaney will all be looking to take home the Gladiator sword from The Last Great Colosseum during Saturday night’s main event, the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race.
In the Friday night’s Food City 300, Xfinity Series stars Christopher Bell, Justin Allgaier, Cole Custer and defending champ Tyler Reddick will be leading the charge to victory.
During the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race weekend you’ll definitely want to take advantage of so many activities to make a complete weekend of family fun, including great video entertainment provided by Colossus TV, the world’s largest center-hung video screen, premium VIP experiences like the Chairman’s Experience, tailgating, a visit to the Kids Zone, on-site camping, concerts, great food and beverages in the concession stands throughout the property, and so much more.
If you want to bring the entire clan out to experience the amazing fun that is America’s Night Race, Bristol Motor Speedway officials are making it easier than ever for families to enjoy the weekend. Kids’ tickets (12 and under) are free and adult tickets are $30 for Thursday’s (Aug. 15) UNOH 200 and Bush’s Beans 150 doubleheader. On Friday (Aug. 16), kids’ tickets are free and adult tickets start at $30 for the Food City 300 NASCAR Xfinity Series race and Pinty’s Qualifying for the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race. On Saturday night (August 17) adult tickets start at $65 for the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race and kids’ tickets are $10. For all races, each child must have a physical ticket in hand to enter the gates. The Bristol Motor Speedway ticket office is the only authorized location that can produce the free kids’ tickets.
To purchase tickets to the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race, please call 423-BRISTOL or buy them online at www.BRISTOLTIX.com. For a limited time, tickets can also be purchased directly from any neighborhood Food City store.
BMS PR
