Ross Chastain at 9:30 pm ET on Thursday, April 14, 2016. Photo – Jared C Tilton/Getty Images
Ross Chastain is our guest on Fan4Racing NASCAR Weekend Preview on Thursday, April 14, 2016. Listen to the podcast via the link above.
NASCAR XFINITY Series teams make their first visit of the season to a short track this weekend for Saturday’s Fitzgerald Glider Kits 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway. And the race will make some NASCAR history as they break away from long-time traditions. This weekend debuts a new Dash 4 Cash format with racing broken into two 50-lap heat races and the 200-lap feature. The heats will set the starting lineup for the main event.
The new Dash 4 Cash format leaves many XFINITY Series drivers with some apprehension going into the Bristol weekend. And series regular, Ross Chastain is shooting for a top-ten finish in his JD Motorsports with Gary Keller No. 4 Chevrolet and looks to make the best of the non-traditional format.
“It’s going to be an unusual weekend,” Chastain said. “No one really knows what to expect with the heat races and the changes. But, in the end, it’s all about having a good car and being smart. We’re looking to do well.”
Chastain has some positive history at the Bristol half-mile with a 2012 finished of third in a Camping World Track Series race at Bristol.
JD Motorsports teammate Ryan Preece rolls into Bristol Motor Speedway for the first time this weekend facing the new XFINITY Series Dash 4 Cash format with his No. 01 team. Preece, driving the G&K Services Chevrolet, will be among the rookies challenging the track and the new format.
“I really don’t know what to expect with the changes, but I’m looking forward to getting on that track,” Preece said. “I’ve heard and read a lot about it over the years, but you really can’t imagine what to expect until you run some laps. We’ll hopefully get in a strong run.”
Another rookie and JD Motorsports teammate, Garrett Smithley is also facing his first visit to the Bristol half-mile track. So again, not only will the track be new for Smithley, but the non-traditional format also offers a challenge.
“It’s going to be a fun weekend there,” Smithley said. “It’s a lot to focus on for the first time there, but I’m ready for it. The track is a big challenge, but it’s going to be fun.”
Practice starts at 12:30 pm and 3 pm ET on Friday, with qualifying starting at 9:30 am Saturday, and the heat races following at 12:30 pm. The feature race starts at 1:45 pm on Saturday.
JD Motorsports with Gary Keller