BRISTOL, Tenn.: Two-time 2021 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) winner Ben Rhodes was quickest in final practice on the Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway Dirt ahead of tomorrow night’s Pinty’s Truck Race on Dirt.
Rhodes wheeled his No. 99 Bombardier LearJet 75 Toyota 39 times around the half-mile to post a lap of 20.703 seconds at 86.943 miles per hour.
“It’s gonna be a thrilling race,” said Rhodes after practice. “This is something I never expected to see in my lifetime racing trucks at Bristol on dirt. I am almost having more fun on the dirt than I am the concrete. It’s a fun change of pace. It’s pretty impressive to see the track prep they have done and how the track is staying consistent and holding moisture in some spots which is good.
“I still don’t know how the top is going to come in yet. I don’t think we have had enough trucks on the track at one time trying to pass — running it in and I’m sure that will happen. I just don’t know when or how or why, but we will see that unfold tomorrow (Saturday) I’m sure.”
Ryan Newman in Brad Mean’s No. 39 Chevrolet Silverado was second quickest followed by David Gilliland Racing’s Tanner Gray, Stewart Friesen and Matt Crafton to complete the top-five.
Cory Roper Racing’s Chase Briscoe was sixth ahead of Parker Kligerman, Tyler Ankrum, Johnny Sauter and Cup invader Kevin Harvick to complete the top-10.
Much like the first Truck Series practice dominated by GMS Racing’s Raphael Lessard, the early laps in practice proved to be the most beneficial allowing Rhodes to go to the top of the speed chart early and keep his ThorSport Racing team first for most of the 50-minute practice session.
The track, however slowed down considerably more than 1.3-seconds from the fastest lap from Lessard at 19.384 seconds.
The only major incident of practice occurred early when JR Heffner lost control of his No. 3 A. Colarusso & Son Inc. Chevrolet Silverado for Jordan Anderson on the backstretch and collided with the inside wall entering Turn 3.
Heffner climbed from his mangled truck and was later evaluated and released from the infield care center. Team owner Jordan Anderson later told CATCHFENCE.com that he and members of his Jordan Anderson Racing team are returning to the team’s shop tonight to pull the engine and seat from the damaged truck and install it in a new truck with the intention to roll off for their respective heat race on Saturday afternoon.
One of the major storylines this weekend at Bristol is the anticipation of dirt racer Jessica Friesen making her Truck Series debut on Saturday night alongside her husband in a second Halmar Friesen Racing entry. While 19th quickest in first practice, she was just 27th best in final practice – but she did showcase maneuverability in her No. 62 Halmar International Toyota.
Should she make the main event, it will be the first time a husband-and-wife combo participates in one of NASCAR’s top-three national divisions since Patty Moise and Elton Sawyer competed against each other in the 1998 NASCAR Xfinity Series Stihl 300 event at Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway.
Heat races will determine the starting lineup for Saturday night’s 150-lap event begin at 4:30 p.m. EST on FOX Sports 1.
44 trucks are entered for 40 spots. Four trucks will fail to qualify for the first Truck Series race held on dirt since Eldora Speedway in 2019.
With the threat of weather, should the heat races be rained out, the trucks of Trevor Collins, Jessica Friesen, Andrew Gordon and Ryan Newman will miss the event because of the lack of owner points.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.[table=3592]
(i) Ineligible for Driver Points in This Series
# Denotes Rookie
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(i) Ineligible for Driver Points in This Series
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