Chandler Smith gets first truck win in a must-win scenario at Bristol

The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series returns to Bristol for the final race of the Round of 10 in the playoffs. After this race, two drivers will be eliminated and then we’ll reset for the Round of Six in the Truck Series playoffs. Zane Smith comes in five points from the cutline and Chandler Smith being 12 points from the cutline. So far, Sheldon Creed and John Hunter Nemechek are the two drivers locked into the next round.

Sheldon Creed and John Hunter Nemechek led the field to the green flag for the elimination race at Bristol. On lap 3, Sam Mayer was turned and hit the wall, collecting significant damage. A tough break for the defending race winner as he had issues in the ARCA race earlier that day as well. Josh Reaume also lost the nose piece of his truck in the accident too. The race restarted on lap 14, then one lap later there was contact between John Hunter Nemechek and Grant Enfinger, as Matt Crafton was able to get by both of them. Nemechek then lost several positions. The next caution came out on lap 23 when Tanner Gray spun and smacked the outside wall. The race restarted with 23 laps left in stage one. Spencer Boyd went spinning up into the wall late in the stage, Sheldon Creed was able to escape as the spin happened in front of him. Chandler Smith had to pit because he was suffering a tire rub. Sheldon Creed was able to hold off the field on a late restart to win Stage one.

1. Sheldon Creed
2. Austin Hill
3. Matt Crafton
4. Zane Smith
5. Grant Enfinger
6. Carson Hocevar
7. Stewart Friesen
8. Todd Gilliland
9. Tyler Ankrum
10. Johnny Sauter

At the beginning of stage two, Drew Dollar goes spinning and collects Dawson Cram, Danny Bohn, Howie Disavino III, and Tate Fogleman that creates a pileup. After a red flag for cleanup, the race restarted on lap 80 with Creed still leading. It was a calm rest of stage two, as Sheldon Creed has now won five of the six stages in the playoffs.

1. Sheldon Creed
2. Tyler Ankrum
3. Austin Hill
4. Zane Smith
5. Chandler Smith
6. John Hunter Nemechek
7. Stewart Friesen
8. Grant Enfinger
9. Parker Kligerman
10. Matt Crafton

Tyler Ankrum, Austin Hill, and Zane Smith were hit with speeding penalties as Sheldon Creed continued to lead to start the final stage. Clay Greenfield and Parker Kligerman bring out a caution with 76 laps to go, as Kligerman was spun by Hailie Deegan. Tyler Ankrum with damage would go behind the wall, ending his day. The next caution came out with 46 laps to go when Zane Smith got into Jennifer Jo Cobb, also collecting Taylor Gray and Chase Purdy. Creed and Nemechek battled hard for the lead with 22 to go but Creed continues to hang on, then a spin comes from Austin Wayne Self to bring out yet another caution. The next restart came with 14 to go and Creed took the lead on the outside with Chandler Smith in second, needing to win to advance to the next round. Then a huge caution comes out with 11 to go as Austin Hill had a huge wreck, taking him out of contention for the championship. Hailie Deegan, Austin Wayne Self, and Derek Kraus were all involved as well, as Hill ran into Josh Berry and hit the end of the inside wall. After a quick red flag, the race restarts with five to go with Creed and Smith on the front row. Smith pushed it hard, Creed moved up the track and gets a flat tire. John Hunter Nemechek took it three-wide to take the lead, but Chandler Smith fought back to take the lead and in a must-win situation, Chandler Smith gets his first career truck series win at Bristol. The two drivers eliminated from the playoffs were Austin Hill by eight points and Todd Gilliland by just two points.

UNOH 200 Top 10:

1. Chandler Smith (Playoffs)
2. Grant Enfinger
3. John Hunter Nemechek (Playoffs)
4. Stewart Friesen (Playoffs)
5. Johnny Sauter
6. Carson Hocevar (Playoffs)
7. Matt Crafton (Playoffs)
8. Zane Smith (Playoffs)
9. Ben Rhodes (Playoffs)
10. Todd Gilliland (Playoffs/Eliminated)