Testing SpeedwayMedia.com

Category: RC Truck Series

Race Central NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series news and information

  • Grant Enfinger Tops Final Truck Practice

    Grant Enfinger Tops Final Truck Practice

    HAMPTON, Ga.– In case you missed it, Grant Enfinger topped the chart in final Camping World Truck Series practice.

    The driver of the No. 33 GMS Racing Chevrolet was the fastest in the final practice session with a time of 31.011 and a speed of 178.775 mph. Matt Crafton was second in his No. 88 ThorSport Racing Toyota with a time of 31.146 and a speed of 178.000 mph. Christopher Bell was third in his No. 4 Kyle Busch Motorsports Toyota with a time of 31.157 and a speed of 177.938 mph. Spencer Gallagher was fourth in his No. 23 GMS Racing Chevrolet with a time of 31.202 and a speed of 177.681 mph. Cole Custer rounded out the top-five in his No. 00 JR Motorsports Chevrolet with a time of 31.210 and a speed of 177.635 mph.

    Ben Kennedy was sixth in his No. 11 Red Horse Racing Toyota. Ben Rhodes was seventh in his No. 41 TSR Toyota. William Byron was eighth in his No. 9 KBM Toyota. Cameron Hayley was ninth in his No. 13 TSR Toyota. Ryan Truex rounded out the top-10 in his No. 81 Hattori Racing Enterprises Toyota.

    Crafton posted the fastest 10 consecutive lap average at a speed of 176.163 mph. Daniel Suárez, who was 13th in his No. 51 KBM Toyota, posted a speed of 175.627 mph.

    The Trucks will be back on track Saturday at 10 a.m. for qualifying.

    NCWTS – Complete Final Practice Results:

    Pos. Car # Driver Best Speed Best Time
    1 33 Grant Enfinger 178.775 31.011
    2 88 Matt Crafton 178 31.146
    3 4 Christopher Bell 177.938 31.157
    4 23 Spencer Gallagher 177.681 31.202
    5 0 Cole Custer 177.635 31.21
    6 11 Ben Kennedy 177.607 31.215
    7 41 Ben Rhodes 177.596 31.217
    8 9 William Byron 177.215 31.284
    9 13 Cameron Hayley 177.142 31.297
    10 81 Ryan Truex 176.961 31.329
    11 20 Austin Hill 176.69 31.377
    12 17 Timothy Peters 176.684 31.378
    13 51 Daniel Suarez 176.639 31.386
    14 19 Daniel Hemric 176.487 31.413
    15 75 Caleb Holman 176.341 31.439
    16 8 John Hunter Nemechek 176.308 31.445
    17 92 Parker Kligerman 176.257 31.454
    18 29 Tyler Reddick 175.805 31.535
    19 5 John Wes Townley 175.799 31.536
    20 22 Austin Wayne Self 174.57 31.758
    21 98 Rico Abreu 174.455 31.779
    22 32 Justin Marks 174.066 31.85
    23 21 Johnny Sauter 173.478 31.958
    24 86 Brandon Brown 172.958 32.054
    25 2 Tyler Young 172.56 32.128
    26 71 Carlos Contreras 171.843 32.262
    27 66 Jordan Anderson 171.577 32.312
    28 44 Tommy Joe Martins 170.969 32.427
    29 1 Travis Kvapil 170.579 32.501
    30 49 Timmy Hill 170.223 32.569
    31 63 Garrett Smithley 169.205 32.765
    32 59 Korbin Forrister 168.747 32.854
    33 10 Jennifer Jo Cobb 166.832 33.231
    34 50 Ryan Ellis 165.869 33.424
    35 6 Norm Benning 164.174 33.769
    36 74 Timothy Viens 159.76 34.702

  • John Wes Townley heads field in second Truck practice at Atlanta

    John Wes Townley heads field in second Truck practice at Atlanta

    HAMPTON, Ga.– John Wes Townley topped the chart in second Camping World Truck Series practice.  The driver of the No. 05 GMS Racing Chevrolet was the fastest in the second practice session with a time of 31.107 and a speed of 178.224 mph.

    Daniel Hemric was second in his No. 19 Brad Keselowski Racing Ford with a time of 31.182 and a speed of 177.795 mph. William Byron was third in his No. 9 Kyle Busch Motorsports Toyota with a time of 31.257 and a speed of 177.368 mph. Cole Custer was fourth in his No. 00 JR Motorsports Chevrolet with a time of 31.294 and a speed of 177.159 mph. Matt Crafton rounded out the top-five in his No. 88 ThorSport Racing Toyota with a time of 31.343 and a speed of 176.882 mph.

    Ben Kennedy was sixth in his No. 11 Red Horse Racing Toyota. Cameron Hayley was seventh in his No. 13 TSR Toyota. Tyler Reddick was eighth in his No. 29 BK Racing Ford. Ryan Truex was ninth in his No. 81 Hattori Racing Enterprises Toyota. Christopher Bell rounded out the top-10 in his No. 4 KB Motorsports Toyota.

    Daniel Suárez, who was 12th in his No. 51 KB Motorsports Toyota, posted the fastest 10 consecutive lap average at a speed of 175.185 mph. Bell posted a speed of 175.097 mph. Rico Abreu, who was 18th in his No. 98 TSR Toyota, posted a speed of 172.447 mph. Tyler Young, who was 31st in his No. 02 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet, posted a speed of 166.726 mph.

    The Trucks will be back on track for their final practice session at 4:00 p.m.

  • Grant Enfinger fastest in first Truck practice at Atlanta

    Grant Enfinger fastest in first Truck practice at Atlanta

    HAMPTON, Ga.– Grant Enfinger topped the chart for first Camping World Truck Series practice.  The driver of the No. 33 GMS Racing Chevrolet was the fastest in the first practice session with a time of 30.873 and a speed of 179.574 mph.

    Christopher Bell was second in his No. 4 Kyle Busch Motorsports Toyota with a time of 31.004 and a speed of 178.816 mph. Matt Crafton was third in his ThorSport Racing Toyota with a time of 31.092 and a speed of 178.310 mph. Daniel Hemric was fourth in his No. 19 Brad Keselowski Racing Ford with a time of 31.171 and a speed of 177.858 mph. John Wes Townley rounded out the top-five in his No. 05 Athenian Motorsports Chevrolet with a time of 31.171 and a speed of 177.858 mph.

    William Byron was sixth in his No. 9 KB Motorsports Toyota. Cole Custer was seventh in his No. 00 JR Motorsports Chevrolet. Parker Kligerman was eighth in his No. 92 RBR Enterprises Ford. Cameron Hayley was ninth in his No. 13 ThorSport Racing Toyota. Tyler Reddick rounded out the top-10 in his No. 29 BK Racing Ford.

    Enfinger ran the fastest 10 consecutive lap average at an average speed of 174.852 mph. Rico Abreu, who finished 19th in his No. 98 ThorSport Racing Toyota, posted an average speed of 173,534 mph.

    The trucks will be back on track at 1:30 p.m. for their second practice session.

  • NASCAR Racing Schedule for Atlanta Motor Speedway

    NASCAR Racing Schedule for Atlanta Motor Speedway

    NASCAR heads to Atlanta Motor Speedway this week where all three NASCAR Series will compete. Please check below for the complete schedule of events.

    All times are Eastern

    Friday, Feb. 26:

    On Track:
    9-9:55 a.m.: XFINITY Series Practice – FS1
    10-10:55 a.m.: Camping World Truck Series Practice – FS1
    11 a.m.-12:25 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series practice – FS1
    12:30-1:25 p.m.: XFINITY Series Practice – FS1
    1:30-2:25 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series Practice – FS1
    2:30-3:55 p.m.: XFINITY Series Final Practice – FS1
    4-5:25 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series Final Practice – FS1
    5:45 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying – FS1

    Garage Cam: (Watch live)
    10:30 a.m.: Sprint Cup Series

    Press Conferences: (Watch live)
    8:15 a.m.: Ty Dillon
    9:15 a.m.: Christopher Bell
    9:45 a.m.: Chase Elliott
    10 a.m.: Jimmie Johnson
    12:30 p.m.: Carl Edwards
    1 p.m.: Denny Hamlin
    1:30 p.m.: Greg Biffle
    7:15 p.m.. (approx.): Post-NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Qualifying

    Saturday, Feb. 27:

    On Track:
    8:35 a.m.: XFINITY Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying – FS1
    10 a.m.: Camping World Truck Series Keystone Light Pole Qualifying – FS1
    11:30 a.m.-12:50 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series Final Practice – FS1
    1:30 p.m.: XFINITY Series Heads Up Georgia 250 (163 laps, 251.02 miles) – FS1
    4:30 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series Great Clips 200 (130 laps, 200.02 miles) – FS1

    Press Conferences: (Watch live)
    3:15 p.m. (approx.): Post-NASCAR XFINITY Series Race
    6 p.m. (approx.): Post-NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Race

    Sunday, Feb. 28:

    On Track:
    1 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 (325 laps – 500.05 miles) – FOX

    Press Conferences: (Watch live)
    4:45 p.m. (approx.): Post-NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race

     

    Additional Info:

     

  • Mayhem Breaks Out in the Truck Race Late at Daytona

    Mayhem Breaks Out in the Truck Race Late at Daytona

    As is typically the case at Daytona, hell broke loose in the last few laps.

    As the field of trucks was hurdling down the backstretch at Daytona International Speedway with seven laps to go in the NextEra Energy Resources 250, Timothy Peters nudged Cameron Hayley out of place. This sent the No. 13 ThorSport Racing Toyota up the track into the side of John Hunter Nemechek. Just as he got his car straight, he was turned again down through the grass.

    Matt Crafton, Grant Enfinger, Rico Abreu and Austin Theriault were among the 18 cars collected in the Big One.

    Peters insisted he wasn’t to blame for the wreck.

    “It ain’t all my fault,” he screamed over the radio.

    Hayley said, “that’s Daytona.”

    “It was hard racing,” Hayley said. “I guess we just caught bumpers the wrong way. (Timothy) Peters got into the back of me. It’s just tight racing. It’s so hard there at the end, everyone’s bumping into each other and trying to hold a pretty wheel. I guess that’s Daytona, but it sucks for my guys because they worked so hard.”

    This wreck forced NASCAR to red-flag the race for 30-minutes. After the cleanup was complete, it set up the final restart leading to the multi-car wreck on the final lap in Turn 1.

    Johnny Sauter was ahead of Ryan Truex when the caution flew and scored his 11th career victory in the Camping World Truck Series. It was also his first win since 2014 and the first ever win for Chevrolet in the Truck Series at Daytona.

  • In Wild Finish, Sauter Wins Truck Series Opener at Daytona

    In Wild Finish, Sauter Wins Truck Series Opener at Daytona

    NCWTS Race Recap
    By Reid Spencer – NASCAR Wire Service 

    DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – With the No. 4 Toyota of Christopher Bell barrel-rolling through Turn 1 behind him, Johnny Sauter nosed ahead in his No. 21 Chevrolet and had more than a car-length lead when NASCAR called the final caution of the NextEra Energy Resources 250 at Daytona International Speedway.

    With the victory, Sauter is all but guaranteed a spot in the first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Chase, a seven-race playoff modeled after the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

    But Sauter needed a push from Bell to take the lead, moments before contact with the No. 17 Toyota of Timothy Peters launched the No. 4 and sent it rolling in as part of a 10-truck accident. Ryan Truex ran second, followed by Parker Kligerman, Brandon Brown and Tyler Young, as attrition eliminated some of the strongest trucks in the field.

    The victory was the first for Chevrolet in 17 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races at Daytona. It was Sauter’s 11th win in the series in his first start in the No. 21 GMS Racing Chevy and his first race with crew chief Marcus Richmond.

    “I just had this feeling that our truck was so good yesterday that, if I didn’t make any mistakes, we were going to have a shot at this,” Sauter said. “And Marcus did a phenomenal job calling the race… This is unbelievable.

    “I’m so pumped to be the first guy to get to Victory Lane here. GMS—I mean, what can I say? This is the opportunity of a lifetime.”

    A colossal wreck on Lap 93 involved more than half the 32-truck field and eliminated some of the strongest competitors from contention, including Austin Theriault (who had led a race-high 31 laps), polesitter Grant Enfinger, two-time series champion Matt Crafton, defending race winner Tyler Reddick, Canadian Cameron Hayley and Mexican star Daniel Suarez.

    NASCAR red-flagged the race for 27 minutes, 54 seconds for track cleanup. When the trucks began rolling again, Truex was in the lead, followed by Sauter and Peters, for a restart on Lap 98. Truex and Sauter battled side-by-side until Bell pushed Sauter to the lead after the trucks took the white flag.

    “The 4 truck, thanks for the push,” Sauter said. “He was pushing me. I was sideways. We lost momentum there, and I thought we were all going to crash. The next thing I knew he was pushing me again and bumping me, and it all worked out.”

    Note: After the race, Bell was transported to a local medical facility for further examination and observation. No specifics about his condition were available, but Bell was able to climb from his car and walk to a waiting ambulance–standard protocol after any wreck. 

    NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Race – NextEra Energy Resources 250
    Daytona International Speedway
    Daytona Beach, Florida
    Friday, February 19, 2016

                   1. (2) Johnny Sauter, Chevrolet, 100

                   2. (20) Ryan Truex, Toyota, 100

                   3. (23) Parker Kligerman, Ford, 100

                   4. (22) Brandon Brown, Chevrolet, 100

                   5. (32) Travis Kvapil, Chevrolet, 100

                   6. (21) Tyler Young, Chevrolet, 100

                   7. (24) Ben Rhodes #, Toyota, 100

                   8. (18) Daniel Hemric, Ford, 100

                   9. (26) Scott Lagasse Jr(i), Chevrolet, 100

                   10. (6) Matt Crafton, Toyota, 100

                   11. (29) Michel Disdier, Chevrolet, 100

                   12. (25) Bobby Gerhart(i), Chevrolet, 100

                   13. (13) William Byron #, Toyota, 100

                   14. (30) Timmy Hill, Chevrolet, 100

                   15. (3) Timothy Peters, Toyota, 100

                   16. (8) Christopher Bell #, Toyota, 99

                   17. (15) John H Nemechek, Chevrolet, 99

                   18. (12) Tyler Reddick, Ford, 99

                   19. (19) Austin Wayne Self, Toyota, 99

                   20. (1) Grant Enfinger #, Chevrolet, 98

                   21. (11) Spencer Gallagher, Chevrolet, 96

                   22. (17) Chris Fontaine, Toyota, Accident, 95

                   23. (31) Ben Kennedy, Toyota, Accident, 93

                   24. (10) Cole Custer #, Chevrolet, Accident, 93

                   25. (14) Cameron Hayley, Toyota, Accident, 92

                   26. (7) John Wes Townley, Chevrolet, Accident, 92

                   27. (4) Austin Theriault, Ford, Accident, 92

                   28. (5) Daniel Suarez(i), Toyota, Accident, 92

                   29. (16) Rico Abreu #, Toyota, Accident, 92

                   30. (27) Jordan Anderson, Chevrolet, Rear Gear, 75

                   31. (9) Cody Coughlin #, Toyota, Accident, 41

                   32. (28) Tommy Joe Martins, Chevrolet, Accident, 11

     

    Average Speed of Race Winner:  129.032 mph.

    Time of Race:  01 Hrs, 56 Mins, 15 Secs. Margin of Victory:  Caution.

    Caution Flags:  7 for 29 laps.

    Lead Changes:  26 among 10 drivers.

    Lap Leaders:   G. Enfinger # 0; A. Theriault 1; G. Enfinger # 2-3; A. Theriault 4-9; G. Enfinger # 10; J. Sauter 11-13; T. Reddick 14-20; A. Theriault 21; J. Sauter 22-24; M. Crafton 25-29; A. Theriault 30-44; T. Kvapil 45-46; T. Peters 47-51; A. Theriault 52-59; J. Sauter 60-63; C. Hayley 64-66; T. Hill 67; T. Peters 68-70; T. Reddick 71-75; T. Peters 76-82; C. Hayley 83; R. Truex 84; G. Enfinger # 85; R. Truex 86-91; J. Sauter 92; R. Truex 93-99; J. Sauter 100;.

    Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led):  A. Theriault 5 times for 31 laps; T. Peters 3 times for 15 laps; R. Truex 3 times for 14 laps; J. Sauter 5 times for 12 laps; T. Reddick 2 times for 12 laps; M. Crafton 1 time for 5 laps; C. Hayley 2 times for 4 laps; G. Enfinger # 3 times for 4 laps; T. Kvapil 1 time for 2 laps; T. Hill 1 time for 1 lap.

    Top 10 in Points: J. Sauter – 36; R. Truex – 32; P. Kligerman – 30; B. Brown – 29; T. Kvapil – 29; T. Young – 27; B. Rhodes # – 26; D. Hemric – 25; M. Crafton – 24; M. Disdier – 22.

  • NASCAR Racing Schedule for Daytona

    NASCAR Racing Schedule for Daytona

    The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, XFINITY Series and Camping World Truck Series head to Daytona International Speedway as Speedweeks continues culminating with the 58th edition of the Daytona 500 Sunday. Please check below for the complete schedule.

    Wednesday, Feb. 17:

    On Track:

    5-5:45 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series practice – FS1
    6:10-6:55 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series practice – FS1

    Garage Cam: (Watch Live)

    4:30 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series

    Thursday, Feb. 18:

    On Track:

    Noon-12:55 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series final practice – FS1
    1:30-2:55 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series practice – FS1
    4-4:55 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series final practice – FS1
    7 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series Can-Am Duel #1, (60 laps, 150 miles) – FS1 (See Lineup Below)
    9 p.m. (approx.): Sprint Cup Series Can-Am Duel #2 – (60 laps, 150 miles) – FS1 (See Lineup Below)

    Garage Cam: (Watch live)

    1 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series

    Press Conferences: (Watch Live)

    10:30 a.m.: FOX Sports Announcement
    Approx 8 p.m.: Post-Duel 1 Press Conference
    Approx 10 p.m.: Post-Duel 2 Press Conference

    TV Schedule – Additional Programming:

    7 a.m.: NASCAR America – NBCSN
    1 p.m.: NASCAR Race Hub – FS1
    3 p.m.: NASCAR Race Hub – FS1
    5 p.m.: NASCAR RaceDay – FS1
    5 p.m.: NASCAR America – NBCSN

    Friday, Feb. 19:

    On Track:

    10:30-11:55 a.m.: XFINITY Series practice – FS1
    12:00-12:55 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series practice – FS1
    1-1:55 p.m.: XFINITY Series practice – FS1
    2-2:55 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series practice – FS1
    3-3:55 p.m.: XFINITY Series final practice – FS1
    4:30 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series Keystone Light Pole Qualifying – FS1
    7:30 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series NextEra Energy Resources 250 – (100 laps, 250 miles) – FS1

    Garage Cam: (Watch Live)

    10 a.m.: XFINITY Series

    Press Conferences: (Watch Live)

    11:30 a.m.: Real Racing 3 Daytona Experience
    Approx 9:45 p.m.: Post-Camping World Truck Series Race Press Conference

    TV Schedule – Additional Programming:

    4 p.m.: NASCAR Race Hub: Weekend Edition – FS1
    6 p.m.: NASCAR Race Hub – FS1
    6 p.m.: NASCAR America – NBCSN

    Saturday, Feb. 20:

    On Track:

    10 a.m.: XFINITY Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying – FS1
    12:15-1:55 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series final practice – FS1
    3:30 p.m.: XFINITY Series PowerShares QQQ 300 (120 laps, 300 miles) – FS1

    Press Conferences: (Watch Live)

    Approx 6 p.m.: Post-NASCAR XFINITY Series Race Press Conference

    TV Schedule – Additional Programming:

    11:30 a.m.: NASCAR Race Hub – FS1
    2 p.m.: NASCAR Race Hub – FS1
    2 p.m.: 18 Rising – NBC
    3 p.m.: NASCAR RaceDay – XFINITY – FS1

    Sunday, Feb. 21:

    On Track:

    1 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 (200 laps, 500 miles) – FOX

    Press Conferences: (Watch Live)

    9:45 a.m.-11 a.m.: Daytona 500 Pre-Race Press Conference
    Approx 5 p.m.: Post-Daytona 500 Press Conference

    TV Schedule – Additional Programming:

    10:30 a.m.: NASCAR RaceDay – FS1
    Noon: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series FOX Pre-Race Show – FOX
    1 a.m.: NASCAR Victory Lane – FS1

    Duel Driver Lineups:

    * Denotes Open, non-Charter teams

    CAN-AM DUEL 1 LINEUP
    POSITION CAR DRIVER TEAM
    1. 24 Chase Elliott Hendrick Motorsports
    2. 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Hendrick Motorsports
    3. 17 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Roush Fenway Racing
    4. 21* Ryan Blaney* Wood Brothers Racing
    5. 3 Austin Dillon Richard Childress Racing
    6. 11 Denny Hamlin Joe Gibbs Racing
    7. 22 Joey Logano Team Penske
    8. 5 Kasey Kahne Hendrick Motorsports
    9. 27 Paul Menard Richard Childress Racing
    10. 2 Brad Keselowski Team Penske
    11. 16 Greg Biffle Roush Fenway Racing
    12. 44 Brian Scott Richard Petty Motorsports
    13. 59* Michael McDowell* Circle Sport-Leavine Family Racing
    14. 7 Regan Smith Tommy Baldwin Racing
    15. 34 Chris Buescher Front Row Motorsports
    16. 32 Bobby Labonte Go Green Racing
    17. 6 Trevor Bayne Roush Fenway Racing
    18. 15 Clint Bowyer HScott Motorsports
    19. 98* Cole Whitt* Premium Motorsports
    20. 23 David Ragan BK Racing
    21. 30* Josh Wise* The Motorsports Group
    22. 4 Kevin Harvick Stewart-Haas Racing

     

    CAN-AM DUEL 2 LINEUP
    POSITION CAR DRIVER TEAM
    1. 20 Matt Kenseth Joe Gibbs Racing
    2. 18 Kyle Busch Joe Gibbs Racing
    3. 48 Jimmie Johnson Hendrick Motorsports
    4. 19 Carl Edwards Joe Gibbs Racing
    5. 41 Kurt Busch Stewart-Haas Racing
    6. 13 Casey Mears Germain Racing
    7. 31 Ryan Newman Richard Childress Racing
    8. 95 Ty Dillon Circle Sport-Leavine Family Racing
    9. 43 Aric Almirola Richard Petty Motorsports
    10. 1 Jamie McMurray Chip Ganassi Racing
    11. 42 Kyle Larson Chip Ganassi Racing
    12. 93* Matt DiBenedetto* BK Racing
    13. 83 Michael Waltrip BK Racing
    14. 10 Danica Patrick Stewart-Haas Racing
    15. 47 AJ Allmendinger JTG Daugherty Racing
    16. 46 Michael Annett HScott Motorsports
    17. 38 Landon Cassill Front Row Motorsports
    18. 26* Robert Richardson Jr.* BK Racing
    19. 35* David Gilliland* Front Row Motorsports
    20. 40* Reed Sorenson* Hillman Smith Motorsports
    21. 78 Martin Truex Jr. Furniture Row Racing
    22. 14 Brian Vickers Stewart-Haas Racing

     

     

  • Crafton Wins Homestead Truck Race; Erik Jones Claims Series Title

    Crafton Wins Homestead Truck Race; Erik Jones Claims Series Title

    By Seth Livingstone


    As strong as he was in winning Friday night’s Ford EcoBoost 200, Matt Crafton was already looking ahead to 2016.

    Crafton, whose hopes for a third consecutive NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship were dashed by a crash at Phoenix last week, won his sixth race of the season, holding off John Hunter Nemechek and Tyler Reddick in the season finale.

    Although Crafton’s No. 88 Toyota Tundra finished 2.9 seconds ahead of Nemechek and more than six seconds ahead of Reddick, the 39-year-old veteran still wound up third in the point standings, 15 behind 19-year-old Erik Jones.

    “I was having so much fun there at the end of this race,” said Crafton after his first career victory at HMS. “Six wins with as many laps as we’ve led–it’s been awesome this season. We just made too many mistakes. I made too many mistakes. … I promise one thing: It’s going to make us stronger in 2016.”

    Crafton said he was happy to be able to “take the gloves off” and go all out for a win at HMS. “That was a lot of fun,” he said. “It’s amazing what Junior (crew chief Joiner) can do with these trucks. On that last run, we hit a home run there.”

    Ultimately, Kyle Busch’s eye for youthful talent paid off as Jones did what he needed to in becoming the youngest driver ever to claim a CWTS title (19 years, 5 months, 21 days) and first NASCAR Next alum. He also became the first to win a driver’s title for Kyle Busch Motorsports.

    “He put it to me when he beat me in a Super Late Model race,” recalled Busch, who will race for the Sprint Cup title on Sunday. “I tend to pick up on the talent of younger kids. Actually, the first time he raced against me, he blew my doors off, then blew up 40 laps later. I said, ‘Good. I don’t have to race (against) this one.’”

    There was no blowing up Friday night.

    Jones entered the race 19 points ahead of Reddick, his nearest competitor, and 32 points ahead of Crafton, the Keystone Light Pole-sitter. Making his first HMS start, Jones needed only to avoid trouble and finish 15th or higher to claim the series crown.

    Erik Jones wins NCWTS championship at Homestead 2015 (1)
    Erik Jones becomes the youngest driver ever to claim a CWTS title. Photo by Noel Lanier

    Jones, who notched three wins this season and has seven career CWTS victories, finished sixth in the race behind Ben Kennedy and Timothy Peters. He qualified fifth and was content to race safely and efficiently, remaining in the top 10 for most of the race and avoiding any calamity on the track.

    “I can’t think of a better way to repay these guys. I can’t think of a better ending than that,” said Jones, who expects to drive full-time in the XFINITY Series for Joe Gibbs Racing next year after parts of three seasons with Kyle Busch Motorsports.

    “Eric’s done a lot of growing up in a short period of time,” Busch said. “I’m glad he stuck with me and our plan. I think he has a lot of bigger and greater things ahead on his plate.”

    NASCAR Drive for Diversity and NASCAR Next alum Daniel Suarez appeared to have the strongest truck early in Friday’s race, charging from sixth to the lead. But Suarez slid up the track into the truck of Dexter Stacey on Lap 61, falling back to 15th, then found the wall again on Lap 83.

    That left Crafton in position to dominate the race. He led 93 of the 134 laps, leaving NASCAR Next driver Nemechek (Chevrolet) and Reddick (Ford) in his wake to battle for second.

    Reddick, driving for Brad Keselowski Racing, started fourth and advanced to second behind Crafton with 40 laps to go. But by then, Jones, who briefly slid back to 14th after a caution flag shuffle, had rallied to seventh, keeping Reddick, also a 19-year-old driver, at bay in the chase for the title.

    “We were very consistent this year. I’m proud about that,” Reddick said. “We just have to move on to next year. I know what second place feels like and I really don’t like it too much. If I didn’t have enough reasons to win a championship, I’ve got one more.”

    NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Race – Ford EcoBoost 200
    Homestead-Miami Speedway
    Homestead, Florida
    Friday, November 20, 2015

    1. (1) Matt Crafton, Toyota, 134, $53598.
    2. (2) John H. Nemechek #, Chevrolet, 134, $32308.
    3. (4) Tyler Reddick, Ford, 134, $30084.
    4. (3) Ben Kennedy, Toyota, 134, $25597.
    5. (12) Timothy Peters, Toyota, 134, $22449.
    6. (5) Erik Jones #, Toyota, 134, $20382.
    7. (10) Johnny Sauter, Toyota, 134, $20164.
    8. (7) Daniel Hemric #, Chevrolet, 134, $19945.
    9. (11) Cameron Hayley #, Toyota, 134, $19727.
    10. (13) John Wes Townley, Chevrolet, 134, $20458.
    11. (8) Spencer Gallagher #, Chevrolet, 134, $19399.
    12. (18) Austin Theriault #, Ford, 134, $19206.
    13. (14) Rico Abreu, Chevrolet, 134, $19070.
    14. (19) Jesse Little, Toyota, 134, $16710.
    15. (16) Scott Lagasse Jr.(i), Chevrolet, 134, $17201.
    16. (15) David Gilliland(i), Ford, 133, $16464.
    17. (22) David Levine, Ford, 133, $16355.
    18. (27) Ray Black Jr. #, Chevrolet, 133, $18496.
    19. (23) Tyler Young, Chevrolet, 133, $18386.
    20. (20) Mason Mingus, Chevrolet, 132, $18755.
    21. (25) Timmy Hill, Chevrolet, 132, $18032.
    22. (28) Travis Kvapil, Chevrolet, 132, $17758.
    23. (21) Kyle Weatherman, Ford, 131, $15372.
    24. (32) Dexter Stacey, Chevrolet, 131, $16044.
    25. (9) Christopher Bell, Toyota, Out of Fuel, 130, $15976.
    26. (24) Jennifer Jo Cobb, Chevrolet, 128, $14607.
    27. (31) Korbin Forrister #, Chevrolet, 127, $14389.
    28. (29) Garrett Smithley, Chevrolet, 126, $12799.
    29. (30) Jordan Anderson, Chevrolet, 115, $12553.
    30. (6) Daniel Suarez(i), Toyota, Accident, 84, $11553.
    31. (17) Brandon Jones #, Chevrolet, Accident, 67, $11053.
    32. (26) Brandon Brown, Chevrolet, Transmission, 2, $9553.

    Average Speed of Race Winner: 126.725 mph.
    Time of Race: 01 Hrs, 35 Mins, 10 Secs. Margin of Victory: 2.942 Seconds.
    Caution Flags: 4 for 18 laps.
    Lead Changes: 14 among 6 drivers.


    Lap Leaders: M. Crafton 1-30; J. Nemechek # 31-48; T. Reddick 49; J. Townley 50; D. Suarez(i) 51-60; J. Nemechek # 61-62; M. Crafton 63; J. Nemechek # 64-65; M. Crafton 66-67; J. Nemechek # 68; M. Crafton 69-78; J. Nemechek # 79; M. Crafton 80-83; C. Bell 84-88; M. Crafton 89-134.

    Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led): M. Crafton 6 times for 93 laps; J. Nemechek # 5 times for 24 laps; D. Suarez(i) 1 time for 10 laps; C. Bell 1 time for 5 laps; J. Townley 1 time for 1 lap; T. Reddick 1 time for 1 lap.
    Top 10 in Points: E. Jones # – 899; T. Reddick – 884; M. Crafton – 877; J. Sauter – 809; T. Peters – 804; C. Hayley # – 766; D. Hemric # – 733; J. Townley – 730; B. Kennedy – 690; S. Gallagher # – 677.

     

  • NASCAR Racing Schedule for Homestead

    NASCAR Racing Schedule for Homestead

    The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, XFINITY Series and Camping World Truck Series head to Homestead-Miami Speedway this weekend for the season finale races. The on-track action for the Sprint Cup and XFINITY Series will be televised on NBC, NBCSN, CNBC and NBC Sports Live Extra, as indicated below. FS1 will broadcast events for the Camping World Truck Series. MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR will provide radio coverage.

    All times are Eastern.

    Thursday, Nov. 19:

    Press Conferences: (Watch live at NASCAR.com)

    2 p.m.: Championship 4 Media Day with Kevin Harvick, Jeff Gordon, Kyle Busch and Martin Truex Jr.

    Special Events: (Watch live at NASCAR.com)

    2:45-5 p.m.: Championship 4 Live Chat: Inside Access with Miss Sprint Cup

    Schedule for Live Chat

    2:55-3:05 p.m.: Kyle Busch
    3:10-3:20 p.m.: Martin Truex Jr.
    3:30-3:40 p.m.: Tony Stewart
    3:40-3:50 p.m.: Rick Hendrick
    3:50-4 p.m.: Joe Gibbs
    4-4:10 p.m.: Joe Garone
    4:25-4:35 p.m.: Kevin Harvick
    4:40-4:50 p.m.: Jeff Gordon

    TV Schedule- Additional NASCAR Coverage:

    5 p.m.: NASCAR America Live – NBCSN
    6 p.m.: NASCAR Race Hub – FS1

     

    Friday, Nov. 20:

    On Track:

    9-11:25 a.m.: Camping World Truck Series Final Practice – FS1
    Noon-1:25 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series Practice – NBCSN/Live Extra
    1:30-3:55 p.m.: XFINITY Series final practice, NBCSN/Live Extra
    4:10 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series Qualifying – FS1
    6:15 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series Qualifying – NBCSN/Live Extra
    8 p.m: Camping World Truck Series Ford EcoBoost 200 (134 laps, 201 miles) – FS1 (Green flag 8:18 p.m. approx.)

    GarageCam: (Watch live)

    11:30 a.m.: XFINITY Series
    1 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series

    Press Conferences: (Watch live at NASCAR.com)

    10:30 a.m.: Chris Buescher
    11:30 a.m.: Brian France, NASCAR Chairman & CEO
    1:30 p.m.: Ford with the Wood Brothers
    3 p.m.: Richard Petty Motorsports Announcement
    7:15 p.m.: Post-Sprint Cup Series Qualifying – Championship 4 drivers
    9:45 p.m.: Post-Camping World Truck Series Race

    TV Schedule- Additional NASCAR Coverage:

    5:30 p.m.: NASCAR America Live –NBCSN
    7:30 p.m.: NCWTS Setup – FS1

     

    Saturday, Nov. 21:

    On Track:

    10-10:55 a.m.: Sprint Cup Series Practice – CNBC/Live Extra
    11:15 a.m.: XFINITY Series Qualifying – CNBC/Live Extra
    1-1:50 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series Final Practice – NBCSN/Live Extra
    2:45 p.m.:  XFINITY Series Ford EcoBoost 300 (200 laps, 300 miles) – NBC/Live Extra (Green flag 3 p.m. approx.)

    Press Conferences: (Watch live at NASCAR.com)

    9:30 a.m.: Ford’s Garage availability
    10:55 a.m.: Ford Performance Announcement
    12:15 p.m.: Leavine Family Racing, Thrivent Financial & Habitat for Humanity Announcement
    12:30 p.m.: Daytona Rising update with Joie Chitwood III
    5:45 p.m.: Post-XFINITY Series Race

    TV Schedule- Additional NASCAR Coverage:

    12:30 p.m.: NASCAR America Live –NBCSN
    2 p.m.: NASCAR America Live –NBCSN
    3:30 p.m.: NASCAR XFINITY Series Countdown to Green – NBC

     

    Sunday, Nov. 22:

    On Track:

    3 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 (267 laps, 400.5 miles) – NBC/Live Extra (Green flag 3:15 p.m. approx.)

    Special Events: (Watch live at NASCAR.com)

    1 p.m.: Championship 4 Live Chat: Inside Access with Miss Sprint Cup

    Press Conferences: (Watch live at NASCAR.com)

    6:45 p.m.: Post-Sprint Cup Series Race

    TV Schedule- Additional NASCAR Coverage:

    11:30 a.m.: NASCAR RaceDay – FS1
    1:30 p.m.: NASCAR America Sunday – NBCSN
    2 p.m.: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Countdown to Green – NBC
    7 p.m.: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Post-Race – NBCSN
    8 p.m.: NASCAR Victory Lap – NBCSN
    10 p.m.: NASCAR Victory Lane – FS1

  • PETERS SNEAKS THROUGH WRECK TO WIN LUCAS OIL 150

    PETERS SNEAKS THROUGH WRECK TO WIN LUCAS OIL 150

    Driver held off late challenge to capture first-career win at Phoenix

    PHOENIX – For the first 80 percent of Friday’s Lucas Oil 150 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Phoenix International Raceway, Timothy Peters, driver of the No. 17 Red Horse Racing Toyota, looked like he had no chance to win. But on Lap 120, the two leaders crashed into each other during a restart and took themselves out of contention, giving first place to Peters, who battled off a last lap attack to claim his first-career win at the one-mile oval in the Arizona desert.

    With just 30 laps to go, points leader Erik Jones, driver of the No. 4 Toyota Certified Used Vehicles Toyota, held the lead from Matt Crafton, second in points and on the track. Crafton, driver of the No. 88 Ideal Door/Menards Toyota, aggressively tried to grab the advantage with a daring move to shortcut the dogleg, but the tail of his truck slid out and hit Jones, who made contact with the outside wall. Crafton spun towards the inside wall but he collided with his teammate Johnny Sauter, driver of the No. 98 Smokey Mountain/Curb Records Toyota, before both trucks hit the inside wall.

    “I just got loose under him and I tried to chase it and when I chased it, I got into him,” said Crafton, who finished 23rd and saw his hopes of repeating as series champion disappear as he fell to third in the 2015 standings – 32 points behind Jones. “I hate it for my (crew) guys, and I didn’t want to do that to the No. 4 (of Jones).”

    Peters took the lead during the ensuing caution period when Jones came into the pits for repairs on the right rear of his truck. Jones was able to complete the race, but struggled to a ninth-place finish.

    “I think he (Crafton) was just trying to get a good run off of Turn 4,” said Jones, who can clinch the title with a finish of 15th or better next week. “It’s unfortunate. We definitely had the two fastest trucks. I wish we could have raced for the win side by side.”

    Tyler Reddick, driver of the No. 19 Draw Tight Ford, finished fifth despite trouble during a pit stop on lap 107 that cost him track position. He battled back the rest of the way and now sits 19 points behind Jones.

    Up front, Peters had to hold off a late challenge of John Hunter Nemecheck, driver of the No. 8 Anderson’s Pure Maple Syrup Chevrolet, who was just 0.310 of a second behind as Peters swept beneath the checkered flag on lap 150.

    Peters win on Friday was his second of the season and his first at PIR in eight career tries; his best previous result in Arizona was fourth in November 2012. His first win this season came at Talladega Superspeedway in October.

    “We had a top-five truck for sure,” said Peters after his win. “I love that the tires are burned off it and I’m looking forward to Homestead-Miami Speedway. You’ll see me there with a big ol’ smile on my face.”

    Nemechek finished second and felt he could have competed for the win if he had clean air.

    “It paid everything there to have clean air out front out there,” said the 18-year-old Nemechek. “Well take it, It’s definitely some motivation going to Homestead for the final race of the year.”

    There were seven cautions during the race. Rising star Rico Abreu, driver of the No. 31 AccuDoc Solutions Chevrolet, made his series debut but was involved in a crash on lap 46.

    About Phoenix International Raceway
    Since 1964, Phoenix International Raceway has been the premier motorsports venue in the Southwest. Founded as an open-wheel racing mecca, PIR will host the Phoenix Grand Prix Verizon IndyCar Series race under the lights on Saturday night, April 2. Phoenix is the only track in the West to have two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekends a year and will kick off its 2016 NASCAR season with the Camping World 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race weekend in March followed by the semifinal race for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup in November.