Official Release

News and notes: The NASCAR Xfinity Series will take a break from the road course racing action as it makes its way to Thunder Valley for some short track racing. This will be Boyd's second trip to The World's Fastest Half-Mile. In his previous trip, Boyd scored a 25th place finish. "I'm stoked to be coming back to Bristol this weekend," says Boyd. "I've always wanted to race here under the lights, so that's going to be very special. The atmosphere at Bristol is unlike any other. It's so loud and the fans are a lot of fun. Hopefully we can come out of here with a great finish."

Chastain on Racing at Bristol: “I’m excited about getting back in a Truck this week at Bristol,” said Chastain. “I’ve had the opportunity to run a few Truck races this year, which is always a good time. I’ve been to the shop with Cody and the Niece Motorsports team, and I am really looking forward to Thursday’s race. I think we will have a great chance at a strong performance.”

Martin Truex Jr. knows that if he can avoid the wrecks at Bristol Motor Speedway in Saturday’s Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race he will have a good shot at winning his first career short track race.

On the strength of three consecutive top-10 finishes in the ARCA Racing Series, veteran racer Codie Rohrbaugh and his Grant County Mulch Racing team invade the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) tour this week hoping to earn a starting berth in Thursday night’s UNOH 200 at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway.

Byron on driving more aggressively at short tracks: “I think the cars are so fast nowadays, you have to keep the fenders on the car to be competitive. But, you’re more aggressive and you don’t give near as much to other guys as you would at other places. The last race there was intense the whole time because you were trying to guess when the rain was going to get there.”

Bristol Preview: The Series returns to Bristol Motor Speedway for Saturday night’s 500-lap event under the lights at the half-mile Tennessee bullring. Hamlin has captured three poles at “The Last Great Colosseum,” tied for a Series-best among active drivers. Earlier this season, Hamlin came back from three laps down to finish 14th in the event won by Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Kyle Busch.

Watkins Glen International has donated $10,000 to help aid The Dale Jr. Foundation and Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s Driven to Give Gloves program.

AJ ALLMENDINGER, NO. 47 KROGER CLICKLIST CAMARO ZL1 - RACING AT BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY: "Bristol Motor Speedway is a little different now since they put the compound down," Allmendinger said. "The bottom groove lasts longer with the addition of the traction compound. The Bristol spring race is hard to get a read from, because of the rainy and snowy weather and having to finish the race on Monday. In the spring during our practice sessions, we would run the top, and then it would rain and wash it out so we ended up using the bottom a lot more."

Bristol Motor Speedway will be hosting a triple-header this weekend as all three major series compete on the half-mile banked oval. Kevin Harvick’s win at Michigan International Speedway on Sunday was the 10th Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series victory for Ford in 2018, matching its season total from a year ago. Here’s a look at how Ford has fared in all three series through the years, along with some updated historical notes.

Richard Childress Racing's Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series history at Bristol Motor Speedway ... In 169 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series starts at Bristol Motor Speedway, Richard Childress Racing boasts nine wins - seven with Dale Earnhardt, one with Kevin Harvick and one with Jeff Burton - three pole awards, 34 top-five and 69 top-10 finishes. The Welcome, N.C.-based organization has led 3,679 laps at the "World's Fastest Half-Mile."