COACHJEFFDEMERS
Chandler Smith Dominates Bristol: Triple Truck Challenge Win in Weather Guard Truck Race
Sunday, April 13, 2025
Chandler Smith holds off Kyle Larson in a wild final restart and cashes in $50K bonus at Bristol.
Bristol Motor Speedway delivered yet another thrilling night of NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series racing during the Weather Guard Truck Race. With a packed field, intense short-track action, and the Triple Truck Challenge on the line, all eyes were on veterans and young guns alike.
From Chandler Smith’s early dominance to Rajah Caruth’s impressive run on older tires, and Kyle Larson charging late, this race had it all. But in the end, it was Smith who stood tall, collecting his sixth career win and a cool $50,000 bonus.
Let’s break down the chaos and key moments from Thunder Valley.
🏁 Race Details:
- Track: Bristol Motor Speedway (.533-mile concrete oval)
- Total Distance: 250 laps, 133.25 miles
- Stages: Stage 1: 65 laps/ Stage 2: 65 laps/ Stage 3: 120 laps
- Fuel Window: 140–150 laps
📸 Top Moments & Stage Highlights
Stage 1: Smith Takes Control Early
- Pole-sitter Daniel Hemric got the jump early, but it was Chandler Smith who quickly took over the top spot on Lap 9.
- First caution on Lap 18 for Connor Mosack spinning.
- Ty Majeski’s wreck on Lap 54 marked his first DNF in 20 races. Frankie Muniz, Stewart Friesen, and Brandon Jones were also involved.
- Stage Winner: Chandler Smith, followed by Rhodes, Ankrum, Riggs, and Hemric.
Stage 2: Currey Capitalizes
- Multiple cautions reshuffled the field, including one for Rajah Caruth after a tap from Kaden Honeycutt.
- Bayley Currey seized the lead on Lap 123 after Smith got caught in lap traffic.
- Stage Winner: Bayley Currey, with Smith, Honeycutt, Heim, and Tanner Gray rounding out the top five.
Stage 3: Strategy, Tire Wear & a Wild Finish
- Rajah Caruth stayed out to start the final stage and led with older tires.
- Lap 160 caution: Toni Breidinger crashed after contact with Friesen.
- Lap 223: Corey Heim takes over the lead from Caruth.
- Rain caution on Lap 228 added suspense with 23 laps to go.
- Multiple restarts led to a dramatic final push.
- Lap 244 restart: Chandler Smith surged from the outside, with Kyle Larson storming into second.
🏆 Final Top 10 Results:
Chandler Smith (127 laps led)
Kyle Larson
Corey Heim
Tyler Ankrum
Ben Rhodes
Layne Riggs
Jake Garcia
Kaden Honeycutt
Rajah Caruth
Giovanni Ruggiero
Smith’s victory earns him a $50K payday in the Triple Truck Challenge, and solidifies his spot as a force to beat this season.
🗓️ What’s Next:
The next stop for the Craftsman Truck Series is Rockingham Speedway in Rockingham, North Carolina on Friday, April 18th. The second leg of the Triple Truck Challenge awaits!
Hi, I'm Jeff Demers
Sports Director for Sports Media X/Coach Jeff Demers
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