Chase Elliott And Andrew Smith Have Strong Runs in Bristol

BRISTOL, Tenn. – The first appearance in a NASCAR K&N Pro Series East proved to be more than productive as Nelson Piquet Jr. won the inaugural Widow Wax 125 from the pole Saturday at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Piquet held off a hard-charging Ryan Blaney for the victory in the season-opener for the series. Ryan Gifford finished third. Pooler, Georgia’s Andrew Smith finished in fourth while Dawsonville’s Chase Elliott placed 10th.

This was the first NASCAR victory for Piquet, a regular in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, and first win for a Brazilian in K&N Pro Series East history. The native of Brasilia, Brazil was the fastest across a pair of practice sessions on Friday and led the first 35 laps Saturday evening at the “World’s Fastest Half Mile” following his Coors Light Pole-winning run. Piquet inherited the lead from Corey LaJoie – who cut a tire – on Lap 101 and had to come to pit road.

Action sports star Travis Pastrana finished 12th while LaJoie ended up two laps down in 22nd following his late-race misfortune.

The K&N Pro Series East will return to action on March 31 at Greenville (S.C.) Pickens Speedway.

NASCAR K&N PRO SERIES EAST-Widow Wax 125 presented by SealWrap Repair Tape

Unofficial Results Saturday At Bristol Motor Speedway Bristol TN
(Start position in parentheses)

1. (1) Nelson Piquet, Jr, Brasilia, Brazil, Toyota, 127 laps, 65.402 mph.
2. (9) Ryan Blaney, High Point, NC, Toyota, 127.
3. (7) Ryan Gifford, Winchester, TN, Toyota, 127.
4. (13) Andrew Smith, Pooler, GA, Chevrolet, 127.
5. (3) Derek Ramstrom, West Boylston, MA, Chevrolet, 127.
6. (12) Ben Kennedy, Daytona Beach, FL, Chevrolet, 127.
7. (25) Chad Finchum, Knoxville, TN, Toyota, 127.
8. (4) Michael McGuire, Vinton, VA, Toyota, 127.
9. (6) Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA, Toyota, 127.
10. (10) Chase Elliott, Dawsonville, GA, Chevrolet, 127.
11. (14) David Mayhew, Atascadero, Calif, Chevrolet, 127.
12. (19) Travis Pastrana, Annapolis, MD, Toyota, 127.
13. (15) Jimmy Weller, Hubbard, OH, Toyota, 127.
14. (33) Bryan Ortiz, Bayamon, Puerto Rico, Toyota, 127.
15. (21) Daniel Suarez, Monterrey, Mexico, Toyota, 127.
16. (29) Scott Saunders, Brisbane, Australia, Dodge, 127.
17. (28) Spencer Gallagher, Las Vegas, NV, Chevrolet, 127.
18. (2) Darrell Wallace, Jr., Concord, NC, Toyota, 127.
19. (22) Dale Quarterley, Westfield, MA, Chevrolet, 127.
20. (16) Sergio Pena, Winchester, VA, Toyota, 127.
21. (18) Brandon Gdovic, Yorktown, VA, Dodge, 126.
22. (11) Corey LaJoie, Concord, NC, Ford, 125.
23. (20) Dylan Presnell, Sevierville, TN, Toyota, 125.
24. (32) Sam Hunt, Midlothian, VA, Dodge, 125.
25. (26) Carlos Iaconelli, Sao Paulo, Brazil, Toyota, 124.
26. (31) John Salemi, Nashua, NH, Toyota, 120.
27. (5) CJ Faison, Seaford, Del, Chevrolet, 117, accident.
28. (23) Eddie MacDonald, Rowley, MA, Chevrolet, 117, accident.
29. (27) Blake Jones, Sevierville, TN, Chevrolet, 111.
30. (24) Jorge Arteaga, Aguascalientes, Mexico, Toyota, 96.
31. (35) Ray Courtemanche Jr., Montreal, Quebec, Chevrolet, 90.
32. (8) Brett Moffitt, Grimes, IA, Toyota, 69, oil leak.
33. (34) Candace Muzny, Oklahoma City, OK, Toyota, 63, accident.
34. (17) Chad Boat, Phoenix, AZ, Chevrolet, 26, overheating.
35. (30) Jorge Contreras, Jr, Naucalpan, Mexico, Dodge, 0, dns.