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For The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, Bristol Motor Speedway Is Set to Kick Off the Playoffs Round of 8

After the elimination race in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Round of 10 at Kansas Speedway last weekend, two drivers were eliminated from the Playoffs – Niece Motorsport’s Carson Hocevar and ThorSport Racing’s Matt Crafton. Now, the series heads to Bristol Motor Speedway for the UNOH 200 presented by Ohio Logistics, this Thursday, Sept. 15 at 9 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

The 2022 season marks the first time Bristol Motor Speedway has hosted the fourth race in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Playoffs, also known as the first race of the Round of 8. In total, this is the fourth-time Bristol has hosted a Camping World Truck Series Playoff race (2019, ’20, ’21, ’22). Prior to this season, Bristol Motor Speedway was the first race of the Truck Series Playoffs in 2019 and 2020. Then in 2021, Bristol served as the elimination race for the Round of 10, the third race of the seven-race Playoff schedule.

Bristol Motor Speedway is the fifth different track in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Playoff Era (2016-2022) to host the fourth race in the postseason; joining Martinsville Speedway (2016-2018), Talladega Superspeedway (2019), Kansas Speedway (2020) and Las Vegas Motor Speedway (2021).


NASCAR Camping World Truck Series

  • Next Race: UNOH 200 presented by Ohio Logistics
  • The Place: Bristol Motor Speedway
  • The Date: Thursday, September 15
  • The Time: 9 p.m. ET
  • The Purse: $703,945
  • TV: FS1, 8:30 p.m. ET
  • Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR (Channel 90)
  • Distance: 106.6 miles (200 Laps); Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 55),
  • Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 110), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 200)

Five different drivers have won the fourth race in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Playoffs, led by Johnny Sauter with two victories (2016, 2018).

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Playoff Race No. 4 – Race Winners

  • 2016 Martinsville – Johnny Sauter
  • 2017 Martinsville – Noah Gragson (non-Playoff driver)
  • 2018 Martinsville – Johnny Sauter
  • 2019 Talladega – Spencer Boyd (non-Playoff driver)
  • 2020 Kansas – Brett Moffitt
  • 2021 Las Vegas – Christian Eckes (non-Playoff driver)

Only one of the race winners in the fourth NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Playoff race has gone on to win the championship in the same season – Johnny Sauter at Martinsville in 2016. The Martinsville Speedway win was the first of two victories for Sauter en route to his championship.

Bristol Motor Speedway has hosted three NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Playoff races producing three different winners.

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Bristol Motor Speedway Playoff Race – Race Winners

  • 2019 – Johnny Sauter
  • 2020 – Sam Mayer
  • 2021 – Chandler Smith

None of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Bristol Motor Speedway Playoff race winners have gone on to win the title in the same season.

Make sure to catch all the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series action this weekend on FS1, practice and Cometic Gasket Pole Qualifying are set for Thursday, Sept. 15 at 4:30 p.m. ET.

Chandler Smith returns to Bristol looking to defend last season’s Playoff win

Currently seeded second in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Playoff standings, Kyle Busch Motorsport’s driver Chandler Smith returns to Bristol Motor Speedway looking to defend his victory at the 0.533-mile track from last season and punch his ticket to the Championship 4 Round this season.

If Chandler Smith is able to win again at Bristol this weekend, he would become just the third different driver to win consecutive Truck Series race at the track; joining NASCAR Hall of Famer Ron Hornaday Jr. (1997, 1998) and his truck owner Kyle Busch, who won three straight (2008, 2009, 2010).

Smith has made three career series starts at Bristol posting one win and three top fives. He has led just five laps at the short track but has an average finish of 2.667 (series-best among active drivers).

Clinch Scenarios: Bristol Motor Speedway

When a new Round begins in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Playoffs, the clinch scenarios become pretty simple.

Already Clinched

No drivers have clinched a spot in the 4-driver field of the next round.

Can Clinch Via Win

The following drivers would clinch on their win alone: Zane Smith, Chandler Smith, John Hunter Nemechek, Ben Rhodes, Stewart Friesen, Ty Majeski, Christian Eckes, Grant Enfinger.

Playoff Contenders at Bristol

Just three races left to decide who will compete for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series title at Phoenix Raceway later this season. A win this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway by a Playoff contender would guarantee their spot in the Championship 4 Round.

Here is look at the elite eight and how they performed at Thunder Valley:

 DriverRacesPolesWinsTop FivesTop 10sDNFsAverage FinishDriver Rating 
1Zane Smith20001012.098.1
2Chandler Smith3013302.7104.8
3John H. Nemechek7004617.996.2
4Ben Rhodes70015111.690.4
5Stewart Friesen60033115.574.8
6Ty Majeski0000000.00.0
7Grant Enfinger5003505.4100.8
8Christian Eckes10000012.081.0

Chandler Smith is the only former Camping World Truck Series Bristol winner entered this weekend.

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