By Zach Arnold

Bristol Motor Speedway and the NASCAR Xfinity Series always put on a show. The future stars of the sport entered the race weekend looking to find their way into the 2024 playoffs, and some poised to finish the regular season with a solid finish.

NASCAR legend, Dale Earnhardt. Jr, joined the field in his only race of the 2024 campaign. He entered the weekend, unsure whether this would be his final race in his career. As of now, he will not be running an NXS race in 2025; but if he misses racing enough and can find sponsorship, he hinted at a possible return in 2026.

The race began with an early caution on the second lap of the race, as Cole Custer got a flat tire after slapping the wall. The No. 00 had minimal damage and was able to continue. Custer was not the only driver who had a problem early on; Earnhardt Jr. did as well.

Radio communication from the No. 88 team and driver was not working, and Earnhardt Jr. was unable to hear his spotter and crew chief. The crew made a call to pit and deliver a new radio system and helmet in an attempt to solve the problem. Custer and Earnhardt Jr. were the only ones to pit; both had to start in the rear on the next restart.

Not too long later, the second caution flag of the event flew. Parker Retzlaff, Austin Green, and Justin Allgaier were involved in the wreck. This was unfortunate for Allgaier, who was the race leader at the time and was caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Chandler Smith won the first stage of the Food City 300, with a pair of Richard Childress Racing teammates in second and third; Earnhardt Jr. was able to race back up to a 20th-place result.

Stage two was a lot more calm than the opening stint, but there were a couple minor cautions. Parker Klingerman was the reason for one of them, Allgaier again for the second. The No. 7 team was never able to find the true speed they had early in the race, being involved in multiple cautions racked up too much damage to the car.

Jeremy Clements earned the stage two victory, this was his first stage win of the 2024 season; this gave the small team a small victory to look back on.

The end of the race involved many battles within the top ten, however, it seemed difficult to pass. Custer flew away from the field on the final restart which took place with over 90 laps remaining and had little competition for the lead.

The Food City 300 ended on a green flag run, which was refreshing as the last couple months have been filled with overtime finishes.

Sammy Smith and Klingerman filled up the final two spots in the 2024 NXS Playoff field, which begins next week at Kansas Speedway. Catch the playoff opener on the CW at 4:00 pm EST.