Garrett Smithley
JD Motorsports with Gary Keller
Chevrolet 0
Bristol Motor Speedway preview
Fitzgerald Glider Kits 300
Saturday, April 16
The race: 106 miles, 200 laps (plus two 50-lap heats), race 7 of 33
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.
