Kentucky Speedway: July 7, 2017, 1:30 am
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series ran Thursday night at Kentucky Speedway. The Buckle Up In Your Truck 225 started after a lengthy rain delay. Driver introductions concluded just after 10:00 pm. The green flag flew at 10:39, but the checkered flag did not fall until 12:40 am Friday morning.
The Air Titan jet dryers did their job and dried the track quickly. Fans arrived in good spirits, despite the weather. Food vendors pumped out the treats. The guys in uniform enjoyed a night off to watch the action at the mile and a half track in the Blue Grass State.
Track Changes
Anticipation for the entire racing weekend runs high. New this year is a different track configuration with increased banking in the corners. An off-season repaving and tire dragging prior to the weekend prepped the racing surface.
Truck Racing Action
Local driver Ben Rhodes(27) from Louisville treated the home crowd to a win in Stage one. Unfortunately, Rhodes crashed out of the race shortly after taking the green flag at the start of Stage two.
Noah Gragson(18) won Stage two. Gragson, like Rhodes, spun out on the next lap after taking the green flag in the final segment of the race. Unlike Rhodes, Gragson saved the truck and finished fifth on the evening.
Christopher Bell(4) took the win, just holding off Brandon Jones(99) at the finish. Four Fords entered the race. Austin Cindric(19) finished fourth. Austin Hill(02) came in ninth, Chase Briscoe(29) 10th, and Regan Smith(92) placed 14th.
Bell’s win was evening more impressive considering he spun early in the race and had to fight for track position all night to be in front at the finish.
Live coverage from Kentucky Speedway continues Friday with the Alsco 300 NASCAR Xfinity Series race set to go at 7:30 pm.
