BRISTOL, Tenn. (AP) — Ben Kennedy moved past NASCAR Truck season leader William Byron with 19 laps to go and held at Bristol Motor Speedway on Wednesday night for his first series victory.
Kennedy, the son of International Speedway Corporation CEO Lesa France Kennedy and great-grandson of NASCAR founder Bill France Sr., became the first France family member to win a NASCAR national series race. He was making his 63rd career start.
“I can’t put it into words,” Kennedy said. “Someone asked me earlier today what it’s like going to Bristol for your first time and to win here is just so cool. I’m speechless. The guys gave me an awesome truck. Everyone at GMS Racing, Jacob Companies, the fans in the stands, everybody watching on TV, gosh this is just the coolest day of my life.”
Byron, a rookie won has won five races this season, looked as he would make it six when he took the lead from teammate Daniel Suarez with 21 laps left.
But Byron went high into a turn and Kennedy was able to sweep past him. Kennedy had to hold on through a restart with seven laps to go, fending off Brett Moffitt the rest of the way for the victory.
“I was just thinking go as fast as possible on this last lap,” Kennedy said.
“I knew Brett was putting pressure on me from behind. I appreciate him racing me clean. This is just so cool.
“These guys deserve it. They work so hard.”
The victory locked up a spot for Kennedy in the series’ eight-driver championship chase that begins in New Hampshire next month.
Daniel Hemric was third, followed by Byron and Johnny Sauter.
Kennedy had not led a lap all season before moving in front on a damp night at Bristol.
The race’s start was delayed more than an hour when storms hit the area.
When the green flag dropped, it looked as if Christopher Bell and Suarez had the strongest machines.
Each, though, couldn’t sustain things.
Bell led a race-high 101 of 200 laps until spinning out while racing Suarez up front. Suarez led 77 laps until he was passed by Byron.
Bell held on for seventh, while a late spin dropped Suarez to 29th in the 32-car field.