Bristol Motor Speedway hosted a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race for the history books on April 11, blending fierce competition and heated debates. Chandler Smith claimed victory in a 250-lap thriller, but the event’s legacy extends beyond his $50,000 win.
The race marked the 20th consecutive Truck Series event without an overtime finish, tying a series record while spotlighting tensions over track conditions and officiating.
Chandler Smith’s Gritty Victory Caps Historic Bristol Run
Smith dominated from the outset, leading 127 laps in his No. 38 Ford to secure his first 2025 Truck win. The triumph narrowed Corey Heim’s points lead to 18, amplifying their budding rivalry.
“This group came together — we hired my crew chief [Jon Leonard] two weeks before Daytona,” Smith said post-race, crediting his Front Row Motorsports team’s rapid cohesion.
“My life’s been really, really crazy recently, and there were a lot of unknowns about my future going into the season, and we kind of had our backs against the wall putting this group together like I said. But holy [crap], I wouldn’t want any different of a group than I had behind me.”
Kyle Larson’s quest for a weekend triple crown fell short despite a late charge. A mid-race speeding penalty couldn’t derail the Cup star, who clawed from ninth to second in seven laps.
“We fell back on that long run in the second stage – got super tight… We had a little bit of an advantage to get toward the front. I thought it would be more of an advantage than it was. But still, I think it was a benefit to our race… Still, to get to second is good,” Larson admitted.
Heim settled for third, maintaining his championship momentum with five top-10 finishes.
The Craftsman Truck Series has now gone 20 races without an overtime finish, tying the longest run in Series HISTORY. pic.twitter.com/bMRyxK3OiY
— NASCAR Insights (@NASCARInsights)
The race’s clean finish extended the Truck Series’ overtime drought, a stark contrast to Xfinity and Cup Series chaos. Yet Bristol’s concrete surface sparked division long before the checkered flag.
PJ1 Drama and Early Crash Ignite Bristol Controversies
NASCAR’s decision to apply the PJ1 grip compound drew sharp criticism. Layne Riggs, who finished sixth, said, “Terrible racing tonight in my opinion, single file on the bottom, couldn’t pass anybody.”
The compound, reintroduced to combat rubber buildup issues, polarized drivers throughout practice-free weekends.
Lap 53 saw reigning champion Ty Majeski’s title defense unravel. A collision with Frankie Muniz collected Brandon Jones and Stewart Friesen, triggering a fiery radio rant from Jones: “Good job today, all f****** 40 laps of it. Just go ahead and raise the hood. Make sure we’re done.”
Muniz, still seeking his first top-five finish of the season, faced post-race scrutiny. Majeski urged consistency from back markers, asking the younger drivers to be more predictable with their moves. Jones later softened his stance, acknowledging Muniz’s solo-team challenges.
NASCAR officials also faced heat for quick cautions, including a disputed yellow for Andres Perez’s spin. The calls disrupted the rhythm but couldn’t overshadow Smith’s mastery. As the series heads to Rockingham, Bristol’s half-mile bullring remains NASCAR’s most electrifying pressure cooker.