KNOXVILLE, Iowa – NASCAR Camping World Truck Series competitors were on track at Knoxville Raceway for the first time Thursday evening, with Chandler Smith pacing the lone practice session for Friday’s Corn Belt 150.
The Kyle Busch Motorsports rookie jumped to the top of the charts in the final minutes of the 90-minute practice, leading the way with a 22.203-second lap around the half-mile dirt oval.
Matt Crafton, a winner on dirt with the Truck Series at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, was second fastest after a 22.254-second lap late in practice. Derek Kraus followed in third with a 22.318-second lap.
RESULTS: Corn Belt 150 Practice
Donny Schatz, the 10-time Knoxville Nationals champion and 10-time World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series champion, clocked the fourth fastest lap. Schatz is making his Truck Series debut in the No. 17 Ford F-150 fielded by David Gilliland Racing.
“After doing that, I had a blast,” Schatz said after practice. “We wanted to be the first ones on it (the track) to capitalize on how much track time we were going to get. The track changed really quick and it’s going to do the same thing I think tomorrow night.
“A lot of fun to drive. I had a lot of fun. I had a lot of fun trying to make sure I give the right feedback here. Looking forward to tomorrow.”
Hailie Deegan, Schatz’s David Gilliland Racing teammate, was fifth fastest. Chase Purdy, Brett Moffitt, Sheldon Creed, Knoxville Raceway regular Brian Brown and Grant Enfinger completed the top-10 in practice.
Brown, like Schatz, is making his Truck Series debut Friday night. Brown is driving the No. 51 Toyota Tundra for Kyle Busch Motorsports.
“I’ve been smiling the whole entire time. I just feel so comfortable,” said Brown. “There is a nervous meter and a fun meter and the fun meter is on about a 11 out of 10. I’m smiling from ear to ear.”
Several competitors found trouble during practice, including championship leader John Hunter Nemechek, who spun his No. 4 Toyota Tundra into the outside wall late in practice. Others who found trouble included reigning Truck Series champion Creed, Todd Gilliland, Cole Rouse and Morgan Alexander, all of whom made contact with the outside wall.
Action gets underway Friday with qualifying heats, followed the Corn Belt 150. The race will be broadcast live on FS1 at 9 p.m. EST.
Tickets are still available for Friday’s Corn Belt 150. Visit KnoxvilleRaceway.com for more information.