NCWTS Race Preview: fred's 250 at Talladega

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
Next Race: fred’s 250 Powered by Coca-Cola
The Place: Talladega Superspeedway
The Date: Saturday, Oct.  14
The Time: 1 p.m. ET
TV: FOX, 12:30 p.m. ET
Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
Distance: 250.04 miles (94 laps); Stage 1 (Ends on lap 20),
Stage 2 (Ends on lap 40), Final Stage (Ends on lap 94)

NCWTS Talladega Quick Facts

Races: 11
Pole Winners: 11
Youngest Pole Winner: Cole Custer (10/22/2016 – 18 years, 8 months, 29 days)
Oldest Pole Winner: Ron Hornaday Jr. (10/30/2010 – 52 years, 4 months, 10 days)
Race Winners: 8
Youngest Winner: Parker Kilgerman (10/06/2012 – 22 years, 1 months, 28 days)
Oldest Winner: Mike Wallace (10/22/2011 – 52 years, 7 months, 12 days)
Races Won from Pole (or 1st Starting Position): 3
Last Race Won from Pole (or 1st Starting Position): Timothy Peters (10/24/2015)
Race Record: Todd Bodine 145.513 mph (10/04/2008)
Qualifying Record: Tyler Reddick (186.827 mph (10/18/2014)



NCWTS News & Notes

Dega Dance

Following an off-week, the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will close out the Round of 8 at Talladega Superspeedway Saturday with the Fred’s 250 Powered by Coca-Cola (1 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

2017 Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender Grant Enfinger is the defending race winner, while 2017 Playoffs contenders Christopher Bell (sixth) and Johnny Sauter (seventh) both finished inside the top-10.

2017 NASCAR Playoffs Leaderboard Update

Following the second NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Playoffs race in the Round of 8 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, below is an updated Playoffs leaderboard heading into the elimination race at Talladega Superspeedway:

Rank	Driver	Points	Race Wins	Playoff Points	Pts from Cutoff
1	Christopher Bell	2152	1	47	-
2	Ben Rhodes	2105	1	13	-
3	Matt Crafton	2101	-	14	-
4	Johnny Sauter	2098	-	25	-
5	Chase Briscoe	2084	-	10	-
6	Austin Cindric	2082	-	7	-
7	Kaz Grala	2074	-	5	8
8	JH Nemechek	2068	-	14	14

Playoff Bubble Drivers At Talladega

As the 2017 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Playoff field gears for its first elimination race of the post-season at Talladega Superspeedway, below is an outlook of how the bubble drivers have performed this season and at the superspeedway if they’ve registered a start:

Chase Briscoe: The Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender and Brad Keselowski Racing driver currently sits 10 points above the cutoff line. Briscoe has been on a tear all season – finishing top-25 or better in every race this year. He’s coming off a third-place finish at Las Vegas and has never made a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series start at Talladega.

Austin Cindric: Also a Brad Keselowski Racing driver and a Sunoco Rookie, Austin Cindric sits eight points above the cutoff line heading into Talladega. Cindric has been stout during his Playoffs run as he has finishes of eighth (New Hampshire) and fourth (Las Vegas). He has one career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series start at Talladega – he finished 20th in this race a year ago in the No. 2 Brad Keselowski Racing Ford.

Kaz Grala: Having a strong Sunoco Rookie season for GMS Racing, Kaz Grala sits eight points below the Round of 8 Playoffs bubble. Grala has finished top-10 or better in four consecutive races and will need a strong finish, plus some help, to stay in the 2017 Playoffs. Grala will be making his first career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series start at Talladega this weekend.

John Hunter Nemechek: Due to mechanical trouble in the opening race of the Round of 8, John Hunter Nemechek is 14 points below the cutoff line heading into Talladega. He will need some help to get in the Round of 6 on points if he doesn’t win the race. Nemechek has two career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts at Talladega. He finished 32nd there last year due to an engine issue and 11th there in 2015.

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Playoffs Clinch Scenarios At Talladega

-    Matt Crafton (0 Wins, 2101 Points): can clinch this weekend on points with 37 points and a new winner.  If there is a repeat winner, he would clinch on points with 29 points.  He can also clinch with a win this weekend.
-    Johnny Sauter (0 Wins, 2098 Points): can clinch this weekend on points with 40 points and a new winner.  If there is a repeat winner, he would clinch on points with 32 Points. He can also clinch with a win this weekend.
-    Chase Briscoe (0 Wins, 2084 Points): can clinch this weekend on points with 54 Points and a new winner.  If there is a repeat winner, he would clinch on points with 46 Points. He can also clinch with a win this weekend.
-    Austin Cindric (0 Wins, 2082 Points): can clinch this weekend on points with 55 Points and a new winner.  If there is a repeat winner, they would clinch on points with 48 Points.  He can also clinch with a win this weekend.
-    Kaz Grala (0 Wins, 2074 Points): He can clinch with a win this weekend and could clinch on points with help.
-    John H Nemechek (0 Wins, 2068 Points): He can clinch with a win this weekend and could clinch on points with help.

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Playoffs By Round

The 2017 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Playoffs concludes the Round of 8 this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway with the Fred’s 250 on Saturday (1 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

Below is a look at the remaining NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Playoffs rounds and which tracks line up per round.

ROUND OF 8
Fred’s 250 Powered by Coca-Cola at Talladega Super Speedway
(Saturday, October 14 at 1 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

ROUND OF 6
Texas Roadhouse 200 at Martinsville Speedway
(Saturday, October 28 at 1 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

JAG Metals 350 at Texas Motor Speedway
(Friday, November 3 at 8 p.m. on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

Lucas Oil 150 at Phoenix International Raceway
(Friday, November 10 at 8:30 p.m. on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

CHAMPIONSHIP 4Ford EcoBoost 200 at Homestead-Miami Speedway
(Friday, November 17 at 8 p.m. on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

Sauter Looking For Another Dega Win

Reigning NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion Johnny Sauter is looking to make his mark in the final race of the Round 8. Sauter was victorious at Talladega in 2013 and finished seventh there in back-to-back seasons (2016 and 2015).

Sauter had a rough night at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in his last race out but still managed to finish 10th. He finished ninth in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Playoffs opening race at New Hampshire.

Sauter currently sits fourth in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Playoffs point standings and remains a threat to win anywhere, any week.

First Timers At Talladega
 
There are six Sunoco Rookie of the Year contenders making their track debut at Talladega Superspeedway in Saturday’s Fred’s 250 (1 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). They include: Chase Briscoe, Wendell Chavous, Stewart Friesen, Noah Gragson Kaz Grala and Justin Haley.

Cody Coughlin, Austin Cindric and Grant Enfinger are the three NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Sunoco Rookie contenders who have made previous career starts at Talladega Superspeedway.

In 11 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races at Talladega Superspeedway, 2017 Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender Grant Enfinger (10/22/2016) and current NBC NASCAR analyst Parker Kligerman (10/06/2012) are the only two drivers to win their first series race at Talladega.

Current NASCAR XFINITY Series driver Tyler Reddick (10/18/2014) is the only driver to win his first career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series pole at Talladega.

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Etc.

From The Booth To The Truck: Two current NASCAR broadcasters in Parker Kligerman (NBC Sports) and Regan Smith (FOX Sports) will be racing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series this weekend at Talladega. Kligerman won at Talladega in 2012 – becoming the youngest winner at Talladega in series history. Smith has one career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series start at Talladega and finished ninth there in 2007.

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Owner Standings Update: Kyle Busch Motorsports’ No. 4 Toyota Tundra leads ThorSport Racing’s No. 88 Toyota by 51 points in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series owner standings after 18 races this season. GMS Racing’s No. 21 Chevrolet Silverado (-54), Brad Keselowski Racing’s No. 19 Ford F-150 (-71) and GMS Racing’s No. 33 Chevrolet Silverado (-78) round out the top five.

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Manufacturer Standings Update: Through 18 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races this season, Toyota leads Chevrolet by 33 points in the manufacturer standings, 673-640. Ford occupies third place with 570 points.

NCWTS Race Preview: Overton's 150 at Pocono

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series 
Next Race: Overton’s 150
The Place: Pocono Raceway
The Date: Saturday, July 29
The Time: 1 p.m. ET
TV: FOX, 1 p.m. ET
Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
Distance: 150 miles (60 laps); Stage 1 (Ends on lap 15),
Stage 2 (Ends on lap 30), Final Stage (Ends on lap 60)

NCWTS Quick Facts:

Races: 7
Pole Winners: 5
Youngest Pole Winner: Erik Jones (08/01/2015 - 19 years, 2 months, 2 days)
Oldest Pole Winner: Kevin Harvick (08/07/2011 - 35 years, 7 months, 30 days)
Race Winners: 7
Youngest Winner: William Byron (07/30/2016 - 18 years, 8 months, 1 days)
Oldest Winner: Kevin Harvick (08/07/2011 - 35 years, 7 months, 30 days)
Races Won from Pole (or 1st Starting Position): 3
Last Race Won from Pole (or 1st Starting Position): William Byron (07/30/2016)
Race Record: Ryan Blaney 128.3mph (08/03/2013)
Qualifying Record: Nelson Piquet Jr 169.504mph (08/04/2012)

NCWTS News & Notes:

Crafton Cranks It Up In The Dirt

Two-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion Matt Crafton dug his way to a win at Eldora Speedway – capturing his first career win at the dirt track.

The win broke a 27-race winless streak for Crafton, who last won a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May, 2016.

In four prior NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races at Eldora, Crafton had been strong and finished inside the top-10 each time, but never got that first win.

"My first dirt win - a lot of fun," said Crafton, who picked up his 14th career win in the series. "In the second part of that race we down-right just stunk. It was my fault. We over-tightened it a little bit in the first run. It got free and we just went back to the way we started the race."

As the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series pivots next to Pocono Raceway for the Overton’s 150 (Saturday at 1 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio), Crafton will look to continue his streak of winning at tracks where he’s yet to visit victory lane.

In seven NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts at the Tricky Triangle, Crafton has two top fives and four top 10s, with an average finish of 11.0.

Friesen Flourishes At Eldora

Canada-born driver and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender Stewart Friesen had a career night at Eldora Speedway.

Friesen won his first career Keystone Light Pole Award to start the evening, and came very close to finishing the night perfectly. He would ultimately finish second to two-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion Matt Crafton, but led a race-high 93 laps and won Stage 2.

Both Friesen’s finish (second) and laps-led (93) were career highs for the Sunoco Rookie. He was disappointed that he didn’t capture the win, but was proud of his team and their effort.

"We didn’t come here to run second that’s for damn sure, but I’m proud of these guys. They worked hard to get this truck dialed in. We had a great truck, he (Crafton) just got rolling on the top, it cleaned up, I was so committed to the bottom and go there in the middle and he just found a line and got us. It burns."

Sunoco Rookie Race Going The Distance

The heat is on for the Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award as Chase Briscoe and Grant Enfinger continue to keep it a tight race.

Through 11 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races this season, Briscoe leads Enfinger by two points heading into the Overton’s 150 Pocono Raceway.

Even though both drivers scored top-five finishes at Eldora Speedway, Briscoe walked away with the two-point lead in the Sunoco Rookie standings – but Enfinger won the Sunoco Rookie of the Race award.

Over the past five races, the lead has volleyed between the two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Sunoco Rookies. Below shows the point battle for the lead over the last five NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races.

Winstaronlinegaming.com 400 at Texas Motor Speedway
Enfinger – 88
Briscoe – 84

Drivin’ For Linemen 200 at Gateway Motorsports Park
Briscoe – 104
Enfinger – 104

M&M’s 200 at Iowa Speedway
Enfinger – 122
Briscoe – 117

Buckle Up In Your Truck 225 at Kentucky Speedway
Briscoe – 125
Enfinger – 125

Eldora Dirt Derby at Eldora Speedway
Briscoe – 143
Enfinger – 141

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Playoff Countdown: Five Races

As the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series heads to Pocono Raceway Saturday for the Overton’s 150 (1 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio), it’s a good time to remind you there are five races until the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series playoffs begin at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

Christopher Bell (three wins), John Hunter Nemechek (two wins), Johnny Sauter (one win), Matt Crafton (one win) and Kaz Grala (one win) are all virtually locked in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Playoffs thanks to their wins this season.

This leaves three potential NASCAR Camping World Truck Series playoffs spots up for grabs over the next five races.

Below are six drivers right on the playoff bubble who could use wins to solidify their playoff path.

Chase Briscoe:  In the current playoff standings, Chase Briscoe sits sixth and has earned one playoff point this season thanks to his stage win. The Sunoco Rookie has had a blazing season so far with five top fives, six top 10s and 105 laps led. He’s also added two Keystone Light Pole Awards.

Grant Enfinger: ThorSport Racing Sunoco Rookie Grant Enfinger sits seventh in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series playoffs standings after 11 races. He has five top fives and seven top 10s and has finished outside the top-16 just once.

Ben Rhodes: Poor luck has pushed Ben Rhodes to eighth in the current NASCAR Camping World Truck Series playoff picture. He’s wrecked in back-to-back races, but prior to that had yet to finish outside the top-23. He’s led 121 laps this season and could use a "W" to verify his playoff aspirations.

Ryan Truex: Currently sitting right outside the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series playoff cutoff at ninth, Ryan Truex is looking for any way to get back into the top eight. He’s finished top-25 or better in 10 of 11 races this season, and has led 47 laps.

Noah Gragson: Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender Noah Gragson has run extremely well as of late and is looking to carry that right into the playoffs. He’s finished top-10 or better in eight of the last nine races. He’s led 61 laps this season and is currently 10th in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series points standings.

Austin Cindric: Brad Keselowski Racing driver Austin Cindric is also making a charge of his own right towards the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series playoffs. He’s finished top-11 or better in five of his last six races this season. If Cindric keeps this up over his next five races, he could be in sooner rather than later.

First Timers At The Tricky Triangle

There are nine Sunoco Rookie of the Year contenders making their track debut at Pocono Raceway in Saturday’s Overton’s 150 (1 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). They include: Chase Briscoe, Wendell Chavous, Austin Cindric, Cody Coughlin, Grant Enfinger, Stewart Friesen, Noah Gragson, Kaz Grala and Justin Haley.

Other NASCAR Camping World Truck Series drivers making their track debut at Pocono Raceway this weekend include: Bryan Dauzat, Justin Fontaine, Matt Mills, Camden Murphy, Josh Reasume, Regan Smith, Ryan Truex and Cody Ware.

In seven NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races at Pocono Raceway, Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Larson is the only driver who has won his first career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series pole at Pocono (08/02/2014).

Joey Coulter is the only driver to win his first career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Pocono Raceway (08/04/2012).

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Etc.:
Kyle Busch Trucking At The Tricky Triangle: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch will be running the Overton’s 150 in the No. 51 Toyota Tundra this weekend. Busch has two career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts at Pocono Raceway and has finishes of first (2015) and second (2011).

Owner Standings Update: The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series owner standings have become a tight race as the back end of the 2017 season begins. GMS Racing’s No. 21 Chevrolet Silverado retains a small seven-point lead over the No. 4 Kyle Busch Motorsports Toyota. Brad Keselowski Racing’s No. 29 Ford F-150 (-47), and ThorSport Racing’s No. 88 Toyota Tundra (-51) and No. 98 Toyota Tundra (-122) make up the top five.

Manufacturer Standings Update: Through 11 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races this season, Toyota leads Chevrolet by a slim four-point margin in the manufacturer championship standings. Toyota has six NASCAR Camping World Truck Series wins to Toyota’s five. Ford is in third place in the manufacturer championship standings, and has yet to win in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series this season.

WRAPUP: Michigan and Gateway

By Anthony Ballantoni



The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series held its Drivin' for Linemen 200 at the 1.25-mile oval Gateway Motorsports Park (GMP) in Madison, IL on Saturday night. The Michigan International Speedway (MIS) hosted two NASCAR top series events this past weekend. The 2-mile oval in Brooklyn, MI featured the NASCAR XFINITY Series Irish Hills 250 on Saturday and the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 on Sunday. The results and upcoming scheduled events for the ARCA Racing Series, NASCAR Home Tracks and other covered series are also shown below.

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS)
Time Trials: Kyle Larson (No. 42 Cars 3/Target Chevrolet SS) won the Coors Light Pole Award for the FireKeepers Casino 400 with a lap of 202.156 mph. This is his third pole in 126 MENCS races. It is his second pole and 10th top-10 start in 2017 and his first pole in seven races at MIS. Martin Truex Jr. (second) earned his 12th top-10 start of 2017 and his seventh in 23 races at MIS. Clint Bowyer (third) earned his fifth top-10 start at MIS and his seventh in 15 races this season. Erik Jones (14th) was the fastest qualifying Rookie of the Year contender.
Did not qualify: No one. Only 37 cars entered for 40 spots in lineup.

Results: Pole-sitter Kyle Larson led a race-high 96 laps and won the 200-lap FireKeepers Casino 400, his third victory in 127 MENCS races. This is his second victory and 10th top-10 finish in 2017. It is his second victory and fourth top-10 finish in eight races at MIS. Chase Elliott (second) posted his third top-10 finish in four races at MIS and his ninth top-10 finish in 2017. Joey Logano (third) posted his 12th top-10 finish in 18 races at MIS. Erik Jones (13th) was the highest finishing Rookie of the Year contender.

Standings: Kyle Larson leads the point standings by five points over Martin Truex Jr.

Top 16 - Chase Contenders:
1. Kyle Larson
2. Martin Truex Jr.
3. Kyle Busch
4. Kevin Harvick
5. Chase Elliott
6. Brad Keselowski
7. Jamie McMurray
8. Jimmie Johnson
9. Denny Hamlin
10. Joey Logano
11. Matt Kenseth
12. Clint Bowyer
13. Ryan Blaney
14. Kurt Busch
15. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
16. Erik Jones

Next: Sunday, June 25, Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway (1.99-mile road course in California)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
NASCAR XFINITY Series (NXS)
Time Trials: MENCS regular Kyle Busch, driving the No. 18 NOS Energy Drink Toyota, won the Coors Light 21 Means 21 Pole Award for the Irish Hills 250 with a lap of 193.564 mph. This is his 60th pole in 332 NXS races. It is his third pole and third top-10 NXS start in 2017 and his second pole in ten NXS races at MIS. Brad Keselowski (second), another Cup regular, posted his fifth top-10 NXS start of 2017 and his fourth in seven NXS races at MIS. Elliott Sadler (third) posted his fifth top-10 start at MIS and his fourth in 13 races this season. William Byron (fourth) was the fastest qualifying Rookie of the Year contender.
Did not qualify: No one. Only 40 teams entered for 40 starting spots.

Results: MENCS regular Denny Hamlin (No. 11 Toyota), driving the No. 20 Hisense Toyota, won the Irish Hills 250, his 16th victory in 158 NXS races. This is his first victory and second top-10 NXS finish in 2017. It is his second victory and fifth top-10 finish in six NXS races at MIS. William Byron (second), the highest finishing Rookie of the Year contender, posted his first top-10 finish at MIS and seventh top-10 finish in 2017. Elliott Sadler (third) posted his eighth top-10 finish in 13 races at MIS. Pole-sitter Kyle Busch spun on the first lap and never led any laps. He finished the 125-lap event in fifth place.

Standings: Elliott Sadler leads the point standings by 21 points over Justin Allgaier.

Top 12 - Chase Contenders:
1. Elliott Sadler
2. Justin Allgaier
3. William Byron
4. Daniel Hemric
5. Brennan Poole
6. Ryan Reed
7. Darrell Wallace Jr.
8. Cole Custer
9. Matt Tifft
10. Michael Annett
11. Blake Koch
12. Dakoda Armstrong

Next: Saturday, June 24, American Ethanol E15 250 at Iowa Speedway (0.875-mile oval in Newton, IA)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS)
Time Trials: Chase Briscoe (No. 29 Brad Keselowski's Checkered Flag Foundation Ford F-150) won the 21 Means 21 Pole Award for the Drivin' for Linemen 200 with a lap of 136.828 mph. This is his second pole in eight NCWTS races and first at GMP. It is his fifth top-10 start in 2017. John Hunter Nemechek (second) posted his second top-10 start of 2017 and his second in four races at GMP. Christopher Bell (third) posted his second top-10 start at GMP and his seventh in eight races this season.
Did not qualify: No one. Only 30 entries for the 32 truck field.

Results: John Hunter Nemechek (No. 8 Chevrolet Silverado) won the Drivin' for Linemen 200, his fourth victory in 61 NCWTS races. This is his first victory and third top-10 finish in 2017. It is his first victory and third top-10 finish in four races at GMP. Pole-sitter Chase Briscoe (second), led a race-high 88 laps in the 160 lap event. It was his fourth top-10 finish in 2017. Johnny Sauter (third) posted his sixth top-10 finish in six races at GMP. 

Standings: Johnny Sauter leads the point standings by 38 points over Christopher Bell.

Top 8 - Chase Contenders:
1. Johnny Sauter
2. Christopher Bell
3. Matt Crafton
4. Chase Briscoe
5. Ben Rhodes
6. Grant Enfinger
7. Ryan Truex
8. Kaz Grala

Next: Friday, June 23, M&M’S® 200 at Iowa Speedway (0.875-mile oval in Newton, IA)
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NASCAR Home Tracks
K&N Pro Series-East: June 3, Memphis 125 at Memphis Int’l Raceway
Winner: Harrison Burton   -Pole: Chase Purdy    -Points Leader: Harrison Burton
Next: July 1 at Berlin Raceway (0.438-mile oval in Marne, MI)

K&N Pro Series-West: June 10, Toyota 150 at Colorado National Speedway
Winner: Chris Eggleston  -Pole: Chris Eggleston   -Points Leader: Todd Gilliland
Next: June 24, Carneros 200 at Sonoma Raceway (1.99-mile road course in California)

Pinty’s Series: June 17, CRS Express 300 at Autodrome Chaudiere (Vallee-Jonction, Quebec)
* Postponed due to expected rain to Friday, June 23rd
Points Leader: Kevin Lacroix

Whelen Modified Tour: June 14, Thompson 125 at Thompson (CT) Speedway Motorsports Park
Winner: Ryan Preece  -Pole: Donny Lia    -Points Leader: Timmy Solomito
Next: June 24, Buzz Chew Chevrolet-Cadillac 200 at Riverhead Raceway (0.25-mile oval in New York)

Peak Mexico Series: June 4, Northern Transportation GP at Tri-oval Int'l de Cajititlan
Winner: Ruben Rovelo   -Pole: Salvador de Alba Jr.   -Points Leader: Ruben Rovelo
Next: June 25, Sidral Aga 90 at the Autódromo de León (0.75-mile road course in Leon, Mexico)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Other Series
ARCA Racing Series: June 16, Corrigan Oil 200 at Michigan Int’l Speedway
Winner: Brandon Jones   -Pole: Brandon Jones   -Points Leader: Austin Theriault
Next: June 23, Montgomery Ward 200 at Madison Int’l Speedway (0.5-mile oval in Oregon, WI)

Southern Modified Racing Series: April 14, Keller Williams Realty 125 at Caraway Speedway
Winner: Tim Brown   -Pole: Brandon Ward  -Points Leader: Brandon Ward
Next: July 1 at Hickory Motor Speedway (0.363-mile oval in Newton, NC)

EXIT Realty Modified Touring Series: June 17, MTS 125 at Riverhead (NY) Raceway
Winner: Ryan Preece   -Pole: Woody Pitkat  -Points Leader: Ryan Preece
Next: July 1 at Monadnock Speedway (0.25-mile oval in Winchester, NH)

NCWTS Race Preview: Active Pest Control 200 at Atlanta Motor Speedway

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
Next Race: Active Pest Control 200
The Place: Atlanta Motor Speedway
The Date: Saturday, March 4
The Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
TV: FS1, 4:30 p.m. ET
Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
Distance: 200.2 miles (130 laps); Stage 1 (Ends on lap 40),
Stage 2 (Ends on lap 80), Final Stage (Ends on lap 130)

NCWTS Atlanta Quick Facts:

Races: 15
Pole Winners: 10
Youngest Pole Winner: Ty Dillon (08/31/2012 - 20 years, 6 months, 4 days)
Oldest Pole Winner: Ron Hornaday Jr (03/06/2010 - 51 years, 8 months, 14 days) Race Winners: 11
Youngest Winner: John Hunter Nemechek (02/27/2016 - 18 years, 8 months, 16 days) Oldest Winner: Ron Hornaday Jr (09/02/2011 - 53 years, 2 months, 13 days)
Races Won from Pole (or 1st Starting Position): 4
Last Race Won from Pole (or 1st Starting Position): Ty Dillon (08/31/2012)
Race Record: Ron Hornaday Jr 142.424mph (03/18/2005)
Qualifying Record: Rick Crawford 182.735mph (03/18/2005)

NCTWS News & Notes:

Rookie Kaz Grala Puts His Stamp On Daytona And The Record Books

Sunoco Rookie of the Year candidate and GMS Racing driver Kaz Grala, has taken the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series 2017 season by storm. Not only did he win the pole and then the race at Daytona International Speedway but he also snatched the series standings lead on his way out of town.

Grala clutches the standings lead over second-place and defending series champion Johnny Sauter by 14 points.

Not only did Grala burst on the scene as a winner he also holds a few records now. Grala has become the 33rd quickest driver (fewest races) in NASCAR Camping World Truck Series history to get his first career win – having won in just his 10th series start. He also has become the youngest pole winner and race winner in series history at Daytona International Speedway at 18 years, 1 month and 26 days. And if that wasn’t enough, he is just the fourth driver in series history to win at Daytona from the pole; joining Jack Sprague (2007), Mark Martin (2006) and Joe Ruttman (2001).

Grala, a Westborough, Massachusetts native will be making his series track-debut this weekend in Atlanta.

Sauter Again Looks Like A Championship-Contending Force To Reckon With

Considered one of the best restrictor-plate active drivers in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, Johnny Sauter showcased his skills this past weekend at Daytona International Speedway by dominating the first two Stages of the race and bringing home a 15th-place finish. The performance secured him second place in the standings, just 14 points back from standings leader Kaz Grala.

Though Sauter’s finish wasn’t a win, he was still able to capitalize on pivotal parts of the race. By winning both Stages, he tallied totaling 42 points (10 per Stage win, 22 via his finish at the checkered flag) and also captured two playoff points, which will be to his advantage come playoff reseeding time.  

Sauter led a race-high 52 laps at Daytona and looked to be one of the trucks to beat this season. 

GMS Racing’s Sauter will be looking to rebound from his performance last season at Atlanta where he finished 28th (second-worst finish of 2016). Sauter has made six starts at Atlanta, posting two top 10s and an average finish of 16.8.

John Hunter Nemechek Returns To Atlanta To Defend His Victory

Whenever NEMCO Motorsport’s driver John Hunter Nemechek wins in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series it seems like a victory for the ‘underdogs.’ 

John Hunter and his father Joe Nemechek have built NEMCO Motorsports from the ground up and they will be quick to explain how they might not have all the funding some of the other teams have nor the numbers in staff, but they make up for it in heart and hard work.

Nemechek returns to Atlanta this season as the defending race winner. John Hunter started 18th last season and raced his way to victory; the first of two wins for the Mooresville, North Carolina native.  He sits eighth in the current series standings, 22 points back from Kaz Grala in the standings lead, following his fourth-place finish at Daytona last weekend.

This season NEMCO Motorsports has grown to a two-truck operation that both John Hunter and Joe will now be driving for.

Seven Different Winners Last Seven Atlanta Races: Will We See Eight?

Over the last seven NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races at Atlanta Motor Speedway we have seen seven different winners - John Hunter Nemechek (2016), Matt Crafton (2015), Ty Dillon (2012), Ron Hornaday Jr. (2011), Kevin Harvick (2010), Kyle Busch (2009) and Ryan Newman (2008) – boding the question, will we see an eighth?

An eighth different winner is possible, but it might be tough for them to break through with a win because Nemechek, Crafton and Busch are all entered this weekend to snap the streak.

Nemechek won in his only start at Atlanta and Busch holds the series record for average finishing positions at Atlanta with a 2.375. Plus, Crafton has led the series in wins on 1.5-mile speedway over the last two season with six victories.

On the other hand, the last four Atlanta winners have all been NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship contenders. 

Wrap-Up: Daytona Int'l Speedway

By Anthony Ballantoni

The Daytona International Speedway (DIS) hosted all three season openers for NASCAR’s top series this past week. On Friday night, the Camping World Truck Series NextEra Energy Resources 250 was held at the track. On Saturday, the XFINITY Series featured the Powershares QQQ 300. The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series opened the 2017 season on Sunday with the Daytona 500. The results and upcoming scheduled events for the ARCA Racing Series and the NASCAR Home Tracks are also shown below.

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS)
Time Trials: Chase Elliott (No. 24 NAPA Chevrolet SS) won the Coors Light Pole Award for the Daytona 500 with a lap of 192.872 mph. This is his third pole in 42 MENCS races. It is his second Daytona 500 pole (2016-2017) in three races at DIS. Dale Earnhardt Jr. (qualified second) posted his 23rd top-10 start in 35 races at DIS. Brad Keselowski (third) posted his third top-10 start at DIS. Ty Dillon (12th) was the fastest qualifying rookie. Pole-sitter Chase Elliott led 39 laps and finished the 200-lap race in 14th place.
Did Not Qualify: No. 55 Reed Sorenson and No. 51 Timmy Hill.

Results: Kurt Busch won the Daytona 500, his 29th victory in 577 MENCS races. This is the No. 41 Haas Automation/Monster Energy Ford Fusion driver's first victory and 17th top-10 finish in 32 races at DIS. Ryan Blaney (finished second) posted his first top-10 finish in four races at DIS. AJ Allmendinger (third) posted his third top-10 finish in 16 races at DIS. Daniel Suarez (29th) was the highest finishing rookie.

Standings: Kurt Busch leads the point standings by 12 points over Ryan Blaney.

Top 16 - Chase Contenders:
1. Kurt Busch
2. Ryan Blaney
3. Joey Logano
4. Kevin Harvick
5. AJ Allmendinger
6. Aric Almirola
7. Kyle Larson
8. Chase Elliott
9. Denny Hamlin
10. Paul Menard
11. Trevor Bayne
12. Brad Keselowski
13. Kasey Kahne
14. Michael Waltrip
15. Matt DiBenedetto
16. Austin Dillon

Next: Sunday, March 5, Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway (1.54-mile oval in Hampton, GA)
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NASCAR XFINITY Series (NXS)
Time Trials: Brandon Jones won the Coors Light 21 Means 21 Pole Award for the Powershares QQQ 300 with a lap of 184.472 mph. This is the No. 33 Nexteer Automotive Chevrolet Camaro driver's first pole in 39 NXS races. It is his first pole in three races at DIS. Ryan Reed (qualified second) posted his fourth top-10 start in seven races at DIS. Brennan Poole (third) posted his second top-10 start at DIS. Daniel Hemric (fourth) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
Pole-sitter Brandon Jones was caught up in the Lap 28 multi-car wreck and was credited with a 29th place DNF.
Did Not Qualify: No. 89 Morgan Shepherd, No. 74 Mike Harmon, No. 97 Stephen Leicht and No. 13 Mark Thompson.

Results: Ryan Reed won the Powershares QQQ 300, his second victory in 106 NXS races. This is the No. 16 Lilly Diabetes Ford Mustang driver's second victory and fourth top-10 finish in seven races at DIS. Kasey Kahne (finished second) posted his 12th top-10 finish in 22 NXS races at DIS. Austin Dillon (third) posted his seventh top-10 finish in nine NXS races at DIS. William Byron (ninth) was the highest finishing rookie.

Standings: Ryan Reed leads the point standings by 9 points over Brendan Gaughan.

Top 12 - Chase Contenders:
1. Ryan Reed
2. Brendan Gaughan
3. Elliott Sadler
4. Scott Lagasse Jr.
5. Matt Tifft
6. Dakoda Armstrong
7. Joey Gase
8. Garrett Smithley
9. Blake Koch
10. William Byron
11. Harrison Rhodes
12. Brandon Hightower

Next: Saturday, March 4, Rinnai 250 at Atlanta Motor Speedway (1.54-mile oval in Hampton, GA)
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NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS)
Time Trials: Kaz Grala won the Keystone Light 21 Means 21 Pole Award for the NextEra Energy Resources 250 with a lap of 180.676 mph. This is the No. 33 Kiklos Greek Extra Virgin Olive Oil Chevrolet Silverado driver's first pole in ten NCWTS races. It is his first pole at DIS. Johnny Sauter (qualified second) posted his sixth top-10 start in nine races at DIS. Spencer Gallagher (third) posted his second top-10 start at DIS. Grala has become the youngest NASCAR national series pole winner at Daytona at the age 18 years, 1 month and 26 days (previous record was held by Dylan Kwasniewski at the age of 18 years, 8 months and 22 days).
Did not qualify: No. 47 Chris Fontaine, No. 6 Norm Benning, No. 44 Brandon Brown, No. 45 TJ Bell, No. 28 Bryan Dauzat, No. 74 Jordan Anderson, No. 1 Timothy Viens, No. 12 Spencer Boyd, No. 10 Jennifer Jo Cobb and No. 75 Parker Kligerman.

Results: Kaz Grala won the NextEra Energy Resources 250, his first victory in ten NCWTS races. This is his first top-10 finish at DIS. Austin Wayne Self (finished second) posted his first top-10 finish in two races at DIS. Chase Briscoe scored a third place finish in his first career NCWTS start. Grala becomes the youngest Daytona winner in NASCAR national series history - previous record was held by Tyler Reddick (19 years, 1 month, 9 days).

Standings: Kaz Grala leads the point standings by 14 points over Johnny Sauter.

Top 8 - Chase Contenders:
1. Kaz Grala
2. Johnny Sauter
3. Chase Briscoe
4. Ben Rhodes
5. Joe Nemechek
6. Austin Wayne Self
7. Timothy Peters
8. John Hunter Nemechek

Next: Saturday, March 4, Active Pest Control 200 at Atlanta Motor Speedway (1.54-mile oval in Hampton, GA)
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ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards
Feb. 18, Lucas Oil Complete Engine Treatment 200 at Daytona Int’l Speedway
Winner: Austin Theriault   -Pole: Tom Hessert   -Points Leader: Austin Theriault
Next: April 8, Music City 200 at Fairgrounds Speedway (0.596-mile oval in Nashville, TN)
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NASCAR Home Tracks
K&N Pro Series-East
Feb. 19, Jet Tools 150 at New Smyrna Speedway (0.5-mile oval in New Smyrna Beach, FL)
Winner: Ronnie Bassett Jr.     -Pole: Harrison Burton    -Points Leader: Ronnie Bassett Jr.
Next: April 8 at Greenville Pickens Speedway (0.5-mile oval in Easley, SC)

K&N Pro Series-West
Season-opener: March 18, NAPA Auto Parts 150 at Tucson Speedway (0.375-mile oval in AZ)

Pinty’s Series
Season-opener: May 21 at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (2.459-mile road course near Bowmanville, Ontario)

Whelen Modified TourSeason-opener: March 18 at Myrtle Beach Speedway (0,538-mile oval in SC)

Peak Mexico Series
Season-opener: March 26 at Autódromo Monterrey (1.0-mile oval in Monterrey, Mexico)