Pre-race inspection for Friday night’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event at Bristol Motor Speedway wrapped up without any truck recording three failures, NASCAR officials confirmed. That outcome means no crew chiefs were ejected, and no teams face the most serious penalties ahead of the Tennessee Army National Guard 250.
With the garage clear of major issues, attention now shifts to on-track action. The clean inspection result also shows teams arrived prepared after a full week of work, avoiding last-minute setbacks that can disrupt race plans at one of NASCAR’s most demanding short tracks.
Inspection Results Limit Early Setbacks
The only penalties from inspection affect three entries from Reaume Brothers Racing. The No. 2 Ford will remain in the garage for the first 10 minutes of practice. The No. 22 and No. 33 Fords will sit out the opening 20 minutes. These holds came after multiple inspection failures earlier in the weekend.
The penalties reduce practice time but do not prevent any trucks from qualifying or racing. Teams can still compete for a starting spot and run the full 250 laps. NASCAR’s system allows minor mistakes to be corrected without removing entries from competition.
Practice begins at 3:30 p.m. ET on FS2. Qualifying follows at 4:35 p.m. ET. The race starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on FS1, with radio coverage on the NASCAR Radio Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. The event is the sixth race of the 2026 season and closes out the Triple Truck Challenge.
Corey Heim Eyes Triple Truck Challenge Sweep
Defending series champion Corey Heim enters the race as the points leader and favorite. Driving for ThorSport Racing, Heim has already won the first two races in the Triple Truck Challenge.
A win at Bristol would secure the full bonus. Heim would earn a $500,000 payout by sweeping all three races. He comes into the weekend after a victory at Rockingham Speedway, continuing a strong start to the season.
The entry list includes 37 trucks competing for 36 spots. Drivers expected to challenge include Chandler Smith, last year’s Bristol winner, along with Grant Enfinger and Stewart Friesen.
Bristol Motor Speedway Sets Stage for High-Stakes Short-Track Battle
Bristol’s .533-mile concrete layout is known for tight racing and frequent contact. The track often produces multi-truck battles, especially in the closing laps. Stage points and playoff positions add pressure throughout the race.
NASCAR’s inspection process checks body dimensions, ride height, engine rules, and safety systems. One failure leads to adjustments. Two failures bring added hold time. Three failures result in the crew chief’s ejection and starting from the rear. No team reached that level on Friday.
For Reaume Brothers Racing, the penalties remain manageable. The team can still adjust setups once on track and prepare for qualifying. Crews will focus on quick changes to stay competitive.
With no major violations affecting the field, the focus shifts fully to racing. Fans at Bristol can expect a fast-paced night with high stakes. The Tennessee Army National Guard 250 will decide the Triple Truck Challenge and could deliver another strong result for Heim or open the door for a new winner.
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