Trucks: Ben Kennedy Gets First Career Win at Bristol

It’s Bristol baby! Ben Kennedy took control in the closing laps at the coliseum, winning his first career Camping World Truck Series race.

Transitioning from the tricky triangle of Pocono Raceway to the challenges of the last great coliseum of American auto racing, the drivers of the Camping World Truck Series were ready to put on a special Wednesday night show. And while Mother Nature tried to slow down the field early, it would be an action-packed night, caped off by a first-time winner in Ben Kennedy.

Rain delayed the start to the UNOH 200 at Bristol and would bring out an early caution, but polesitter Tyler Reddick was ready to lead the field to green. He just wasn’t ready to race past lap one. Reddick lost the lead to Daniel Suarez after the first lap, and would not be in contention for the rest of the night.

Much of the race was controlled by the teammates at Kyle Busch Motorsports. Daniel Suarez led early and late in the going at Bristol, flanking a long stretch with Christopher Bell at the front. Neither would contend in the final laps however, after Bell spun while leading and would be forced to pit, and Suarez blew a tire, leading to a wreck.

Among the others struggling on the world’s fastest half-mile was the foursome of ThorSport Racing. All four drivers would experience failures of some kind, leading to a best finish of 24th by Cameron Hayley. Matt Crafton would suffer the worst fate, blowing his engine and finishing last.

In the final laps, it was a battle between two drivers seeking their first career Truck Series wins, Ben Kennedy and Brett Moffitt. At the end of the day, it was Kennedy for GMS Racing that would take his first career victory in the UNOH 200 at Bristol, and lock himself into the Truck Championship Chase.

Here are the full results for the UNOH 200 at Bristol Motor Speedway:

1. Ben Kennedy, Chevrolet, GMS Racing
2. Brett Moffitt, Toyota, Red Horse Racing
3. Daniel Hemric, Ford, Brad Keselowski Racing
4. William Byron, Toyota, Kyle Busch Motorsports
5. Johnny Sauter, Chevrolet, GMS Racing
6. Cole Custer, Chevrolet, JR Motorsports
7. Christopher Bell, Toyota, Kyle Busch Motorsports
8. John Hunter Nemechek, Chevrolet, NEMCO Motorsports
9. Brandon Jones, Chevrolet, Contreras Motorsports
10. John Wes Townley, Chevrolet, Athenian Motorsports
11. Kaz Grala, Chevrolet, GMS Racing
12. Spencer Gallagher, Chevrolet, GMS Racing
13. Timothy Peters, Toyota, Red Horse Racing
14. Tyler Reddick, Ford, Brad Keselowski Racing
15. Caleb Holman, Chevrolet, Henderson Motorsports
16. Jordan Anderson, Chevrolet, Bolen Motorsports
17. Jesse Little, Toyota, Hattori Racing Enterprises
18. Austin Cindric, Ford, Brad Keselowski Racing
19. Austin Hill, Ford, Young’s Motorsports
20. Parker Kligerman, Ford, Ricky Benton Racing
21. Austin Wayne Self, Toyota, AM Racing
22. Stewart Friesen, Chevrolet, Friesen Racing
23. Brandon Brown, Chevrolet, Brandon Brown Racing
24. Cameron Hayley, Toyota, ThorSport Racing
25. Travis Kvapil, Chevrolet, MAKE Motorsports
26. Rico Abreu, Toyota, ThorSport Racing
27. Matt Mills, Chevrolet, SS Green Light Racing
28. Bryce Napier, Chevrolet, Premium Motorsports
29. Daniel Suarez, Toyota, Kyle Busch Motorsports
30. Ben Rhodes, Toyota, ThorSport Racing
31. Tommy Joe Martins, Chevrolet, Martins Family Racing
32. Matt Crafton, Toyota, ThorSport Racing

betting odds: Sprint Cup Series Night Race at Bristol

With only three races to go before the Truck Series Chase for the Championship, there are six drivers locked in, and just two spots up for grabs. Can anyone secure their spot next weekend at Michigan? See the Careers for Veterans 200 from Michigan International Speedway next Saturday afternoon live on FS1.