Special Fairgrounds race on Thursday kicks off big NASCAR weekend

NASHVILLE – It should be a terrific warmup act.

On Thursday night Fairgrounds Speedway will play host to the “Battle of Broadway 150,” featuring two young area hot-shots – Chase Johnson and Hunter Wright – locked in a tight championship battle, before the action moves to Nashville Superspeedway for a NASCAR tripleheader weekend of truck, Xfinity and Cup races.

Hendersonville’s Josh Berry, playoff-bound with a Cup win earlier this season, will run Thursday night’s Fairgrounds feature before gearing up for Sunday’s Cracker Barrel 400.

“I didn’t get to race on the Fairgrounds’ big track when I was coming up,” said Berry, who also entered last year’s race. “It’s a historical track, and I look forward to racing on it again.”

Fairgrounds veteran Bennie Hamlett, in his 36th season, welcomes the big-leaguer’s presence.

“I’m glad Josh has entered,” he said. “He brings attention to the track and, as a driver, I like the challenge of competing against the best.”

Much of Thursday’s attention will be focused on Mt. Juliet’s Johnson and Gladeville’s Wright, locked in a tight two-driver duel. Johnson won the season opener and Wright was second, with a flip-flop finish in the next race – Wright won and Johnson was second.

Despite being tied for wins and second-places, Johnson leads the standings over Wright by three bonus points earned in qualifying.

Young Nashville driver Aidan Potter, driving for the Fetcho Development Program, is fourth in the standings, and Hamlett ninth. The first of the night’s three races starts at 7 p.m.

On Friday at the Superspeedway, the Rackley Roofing 200 Craftsman Truck Series race also rolls off at 7 p.m. with last year’s Fairgrounds champion Dawson Sutton in the lineup.

Saturday’s Tennessee Lottery 250 Xfinity Series race starts at 6:30 and Sunday’s Cracker Barrel 400 headliner kicks off at 6 p.m.