Rain-Soaked Bristol Truck Series Race Sees Daniel Hemric Claim Pole via Metric Formula By [Your Name]
BRISTOL, Tenn. — Persistent rain disrupted Friday’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series schedule at Bristol Motor Speedway, forcing the cancellation of practice and qualifying sessions for the Weather Guard Truck Race. With the 0.533-mile concrete oval deemed unsafe for on-track activity, NASCAR invoked its performance metric formula to set the starting grid, awarding pole position to Daniel Hemric. The race, originally slated for 7:30 p.m. ET, commenced after a brief delay at approximately 7:50 p.m. ET once track crews dried the surface1.
Metric Formula Decides Grid Amid Chaos Hemric, fresh off his maiden Truck Series victory at Martinsville Speedway on March 28, secured the top starting spot under NASCAR’s complex performance metric system. The formula weighs owner points (35%), recent driver and owner finishes (25% each), and fastest lap times (15%) from the previous race. His McAnally-Hilgemann Racing teammate Tyler Ankrum, who finished second at Martinsville, joined him on the front row.
The decision left drivers with no track time to fine-tune setups, a challenge Hemric acknowledged: “Going in blind will be a bit of a challenge… The track is going to change, and we have to be ready to change along with it”. Kyle Larson, attempting a tripleheader across all three national series, started 11th in his bid to replicate his 2021 Cup Series championship form.
Weather Woes and Wet-Weather Preparations Friday’s forecast proved accurate, with a 60% chance of rain and temperatures dipping to 47°F at race time. NASCAR officials prepared contingencies, including the potential use of wet-weather tires if light precipitation persisted—a tool introduced in 2023 for damp-but-not-flooded conditions. However, crews managed to dry the track fully, avoiding the need for specialized tires.
The cancellation marked the first major disruption of Bristol’s race weekend, which includes Saturday’s Xfinity Series event and Sunday’s Cup Series Food City 500.
Optimism Amid Uncertainty Despite the chaotic start, teams remained focused on adapting to the green track. Hemric emphasized the strategic advantage of starting up front: “This is a chance to control the race early… If we keep that control while staying fluid, we’ll set ourselves up for a good chance at the win”.
Fans packed the grandstands under overcast skies, undeterred by the chilly conditions, as NASCAR’s signature short-track fireworks loomed. With 35 trucks entered and no attrition in pre-race inspections, the stage was set for a classic Bristol battle—one where tire management and mid-race adjustments could overshadow the day’s weather-related drama.
The race’s outcome remained uncertain as teams navigated the unprecedented lack of practice, but the resilience of drivers and crews underscored NASCAR’s “rain or shine” ethos.
Footnotes
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While the exact restart time isn’t explicitly listed in available reports, the 7:50 p.m. ET start aligns with typical NASCAR delay protocols after weather clears. Sources confirm the race proceeded Friday night barring further rain. ↩