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NASCAR Camping World Trucks Series Power Rankings: Talladega

The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series returned to action this past weekend at Talladega Superspeedway and as always, the action didn’t disappoint.

Here’s this weeks power rankings.

1. Grant Enfinger – Enfinger continued to show his superspeedway dominance this past weekend. After starting fourth, he stayed in the top 10 for most of the race by finishing winning Stage 1, but failed to finish in Stage 2 in the top 10 due to strategy. After getting caught with a penalty for removing equipment, Enfinger worked his way back up in the field and was leading on lap 72. He and Todd Gilliland made contact with Todd getting the worst of it, as he went sliding to the inside wall. On a restart, he was accidentally turned by David Gilliland after the incident. Unfortunately, Enfinger’s strong day was regulated to a 19th place finish, two laps down. On the flip side, he is locked in to the Round of 6.

2. Myatt Snider – Snider quietly earned a second place finish after all the melee on Saturday afternoon at Talladega. He finished third and tenth, respectively in both stages. Snider was able to miss the big one on lap 58 and on the last lap. At the end of the day, Snider and the No. 13 Thorsport Racing team finished second. It’s what could have been, should Snider qualified for the playoffs.

3. Justin Haley – Haley had a strong Round of 8 with a surprise win at Mosport, third at Las Vegas, and ultimately fourth at Talladega. After starting 16th, it didn’t take long for the No. 24 to find himself in the top 10. He finished eighth in both stages and escaped the crashes to finish in the top five. Expect Haley to continue his strong runs in the Round of 6.

4. Matt Crafton – Crafton needed to do what he did to make it in to the next round. The results may not show it due to him being involved on the big one on lap 58, he managed to finish fourth and second, respectively in both stages. Crafton led seven laps before being regulated to a 26th place finish. He’ll look to have a strong run in the Round of 6.

5. Todd Gilliland – Despite the results and the finish, it doesn’t replicate of how strong Todd was throughout the race. Todd started sixth and finished sixth, and won Stage 2. He led 13 laps and drafted with his dad, David briefly. Todd’s day started to go south in Stage 3. He found himself contending for the win with race leader, Enfinger. With 12 laps to go, Todd was under Enfinger and both made contact, thus saw Todd wrecking out and was regulated to a 20th place finish.

October 15, 2018
Toyota NCWTS Talladega Post-Race Report

Toyota Racing Post-Race Recap
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS)
Talladega Superspeedway
Race 19 of 23 – 250.04 miles, 94 laps
October 13, 2018

TOYOTA FINISHING POSITION
1st, Timothy Peters*
2nd, Myatt Snider*
3rd, DAVID GILLILAND
4th, Justin Haley*
5th, Wendell Chavous*
13th, NOAH GRAGSON
15th, KORVIN FORRISTER
17th, BRETT MOFFITT
18th, SCOTT LAGASSE JR.
20th, TODD GILLILAND
29th, BO LE MASTUS
*non-Toyota driver

TOYOTA DRIVER POINT STANDINGS**
1st, Johnny Sauter*# 3042 points
2nd, BRETT MOFFITT# 3027 points
3rd, NOAH GRAGSON# 3025 points
4th, Grant Enfinger*# 3017 points
5th, Justin Haley*# 3013 points
6th, Matt Crafton*# 3003 points
10th, TODD GILLILAND 478 points
*non-Toyota driver
**unofficial point standings

· Tundra driver David Gilliland was the top Toyota-finisher in Saturday’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) Playoffs cutoff race at Talladega Superspeedway after placing third.

· Gilliland would lead the field to green after capturing the NCWTS pole on Friday afternoon.

· Toyota NCWTS Playoffs drivers Noah Gragson and Brett Moffitt advanced to the Round of 6 based on points after top-20 finishes at Talladega.

· The pair of Tundra drivers will enter the Round of 6 ranked second and third in the playoffs standings.

· In his first superspeedway start, Tundra driver Todd Gilliland would lead 13 laps, win Stage 2 of the race and finish 20th after being involved in an incident in the final stage.

TOYOTA QUOTES

DAVID GILLILAND, No. 51 Pedigree Toyota Tundra, Kyle Busch Motorsports
Finishing Position: 3rd
What was it like running first and second with Todd during the race?
“It was fun. The Tundra was really fast out here. I had a lot of fun being able to race with my son. It was a dream day until he got wrecked there. It was a bummer. It is Talladega. Stuff does happen. It was a lot of fun. A great weekend overall. We got the pole and finished well. Thank you to Toyota and TRD (Toyota Racing Development), and Kyle Bush Motorsports. Everyone who lets us race here.”

NOAH GRAGSON, No. 18 Safelite AutoGlass Toyota Tundra, Kyle Busch Motorsports
Finishing Position: 13th
Did you know you were locked into the next round of the Playoffs on the last restart?
“On the last restart, my crew chief Rudy Fugle told me, ‘Hey man, we’re pretty much locked into the next round so listen to your spotter Tony Hirschman and do whatever you have to do to go up there and win the thing.’ I’m a terrible speedway racer and I didn’t know what I was doing – I was just listening to my spotter and he did a really good job. We were bobbing and weaving our way up there and it played out in my favor. These things, you can’t get away or too far out because they’re just going to pass you. I was looking in my mirror those last six or seven laps and got collected, but before that it was a blast, a lot of fun.”

Were you trying to block Timothy Peters when the accident occurred?
“I was just trying to keep Timothy (Peters) with me and have him keep pushing because that was the only way we were going to be able to win the race. Not trying to block, but just trying to stay with my line. That’s speedway racing. I don’t blame anybody in there and I hope they don’t blame me. Hopefully we gave the fans one hell of a finish because it was fun in the driver’s seat. Normally I hate racing at these places, but that was a lot of fun.”

You don’t blame Timothy Peters for the bump at the end of the race, correct?
“No, he was trying to push me to get the win and at the end of the day, that’s the only thing that matters. It is what it is.”

BRETT MOFFITT, No. 16 Hattori Racing Enterprises Toyota Tundra, Hattori Racing
Finishing Position: 17th
How was your day today given everything that happened?
“It sucked. I thought we were in a good position and then someone got hit into me early which caused tire rub on the right rear and right front. We ended up blowing a couple of right rears there. Fortunately, we’re able to hang on to the truck and fix it. I am just thankful we made it through. It was a stressful day and I am not a big fan of restrictor-plate races. I am looking forward to going to some tracks where we have some more confidence. I am proud of this Hattori Racing team.”

What’s one thing you need to improve on?
“It was a crapshoot here but we need to execute better. Las Vegas I couldn’t get the fuel box full, which was my fault. We couldn’t get going on the restart. The road course I felt we had a really good truck but I couldn’t keep it all day. I think we’ve had the speed but we need to execute the races better.”

What was the challenges of the day? Did you ever feel comfortable?
“I wasn’t comfortable at all. Every single speedway race I’ve been whether it’s Cup Series or Truck Series, I have been leading and gotten wrecked. I’ve been running in the back and have tried to be conservative and have gotten wrecked. And today, I was a middle man and got wrecked. It happens. That’s the stressful part about Talladega. A lot is out of your control. We were trying to mind our own business and people run into you, it almost cost us a shot at the title. Thankfully things worked out they were supposed to. That could have been a blessing in disguise. I could have been caught up with some of the wrecks and been completely out of the race. We’ll move on to some races we’re confident in and try to win races.”

TODD GILLILAND, No. 4 Pedigree Puppy Toyota Tundra, Kyle Busch Motorsports
Finishing Position: 20th
What happened that caused you to spin?
“I was just trying to get under the 98 (Grant Enfinger) while I could and I felt like it was a good situation. I could see him coming up and I got into him a little bit in the middle of (turn) four and he got really far up off the bottom. I tried to fill the hole and I was to his wheel and he came back down. Just racing here and that’s what it’s all about I guess. I was having a lot of fun up until then and my truck was fast. That was a lot of fun. I guess we’ll just rebound and we won a stage so we’ll just focus on Daytona next year I guess. This was my first time doing it so I guess not too bad.”

October 13, 2018
Ford Performance NASCAR: Camping World Truck Series Talladega Post-Race Quotes

Ford Notes and Quotes
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS)
FR8Auctions 250 (Talladega Superspeedway, Talladega, AL.)
Saturday, October 13, 2018

Ford Finishing Results:
2nd – Myatt Snider
16th – Ben Rhodes
19th – Grant Enfinger
26th – Matt Crafton

MATT CRAFTON, No. 88 Fisher Nuts/Menards F-150 – WHAT HAPPENED? “I saw some people getting turned up in front of me and I got hooked in the right-rear. The next thing I knew I was facing the fence and hit head-on.” YOUR STATUS IN THE NEXT ROUND IS STILL UNKNOWN. HOW FRUSTRATING IS IT TO BE OUT OF YOUR HANDS? “That’s Talladega for you. It’s all out of your hands from when we drop the green. I mean, when you’re racing and people are side-by-side bouncing off each other like that. We did everything we could do the first two segments and let her fly from there.”

WHAT HAPPENED? “Everybody was running over each other, pushing and banging and bumping throughout the corners and it’s just Talladega. That’s the nature of the beast here. Everybody pushes and pushes and pushes until finally the big one and then they’ll finally calm down for a little bit and then they’ll lose their minds again with about five to go.”

YOU SAID YOU WEREN’T GOING TO WORRY ABOUT COUNTING POINTS DURING THE RACE, BUT THIS IS WHAT YOU WERE HOPING WOULDN’T HAPPEN. “I knew it was going to happen, to be honest. It’s Talladega. I did what I could do the first two segments. I think we finished fourth and I don’t know the second or whatever it was in the second one, and we put ourselves in position and if we get eliminated because of other people’s mistakes and other people’s doings, we did everything we could do. We came here with a fast Ford F-150.”

FRUSTRATED? “Very frustrating, but it’s Talladega – what do you expect?”

GRANT ENFINGER, No. 98 Champion Power Equipment/Curb Record F-150 – HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE WHAT HAPPENED AT THE END? “I don’t know. It just wasn’t meant to be, I guess. I haven’t seen the replay. I don’t know if I waited too late or what. The 24 did a good job of pushing me on the start and then he got hung out by just not having any help behind him, and then the 51 was coming with a big head of steam, so I blocked him high. I thought I just stayed with him and I don’t know if he got me in the bumper, the quarter-panel or what, but just got us around. I don’t know. It is what it is.”

TALK ABOUT ADVANCING ON. “We didn’t do it today. We did it a few weeks ago at Las Vegas, so I’m definitely proud of that. I’m proud of the truck we had here today. Overall, our speedway trucks here at ThorSport Racing have gotten better. We had one of the better trucks here today. I don’t think we had the best one, but we definitely had a contending truck. It was really good pushing and fairly good leading, but it just wasn’t meant to be there at the end. I was making it as wide as I could. I don’t know if he got me in the quarter-panel or the bumper, if I just got behind. It’s a Talladega racing deal, I guess. I hate it for these guys. They deserved a checkered flag today.”

ARE YOU MAD? “I’m upset. I feel like we were in contention to win the race. We did everything we were supposed to do and, man, I’m upset about that, but I’m not mad at anybody. It’s Talladega racing. We probably should have wrecked about 15 times before that and even there we were out of contention in the race, but we’ve got a whole truck to bring back to ThorSport Racing and polish on it for the next one.”

DAVID SAID YOUR SITUATION AND TODD’S WERE SIMILAR IN THE SENSE THAT YOU HAVE TO BE THE LEADER BECAUSE YOU CAN CONTROL THE RACE. “You kind of control the race a little bit. I think David probably had one of the strongest trucks out here, so I think probably him and me were in the best position to win the race. That’s why I went to block him there and I blocked him fine and thought everything was all good and then as we both came back to the bottom I don’t know if he just got me wrong or if I waited late. I think it’s just a Talladega deal, but hate it for these guys. I am glad we didn’t tear anything up, glad we’re advancing. We did that at Las Vegas and not here.”

MYATT SNIDER, No. 13 RideTV Ford F-150 – “We had a great Ford F-150 all day. The RideTV/Louisiana Hot Sauce machine was really working today. It was a hell of a pusher. I’ve got to thank my team for giving me such a great truck. I had some good moves and had some bad moves, but overall my team kept me in position to be up front and possibly win the race, but fate just didn’t work out that way. I’m really proud of this team.” HOW DID YOU AVOID A LOT OF THE WRECKS THAT HAPPENED OUT THERE? “Hoping and praying (laughing). We made some good moves. Luckily, the wrecks went away from me.” HOW DID YOU KEEP THE TRUCK SO CLEAN? “I was able to make some good moves at the right times. Luckily, ThorSport Racing and Ford Performance gave me a great truck.”

MATT CRAFTON, No. 88 Fisher Nuts/Menards F-150 – POST-RACE INTERVIEW – WHAT ARE YOUR EMOTIONS KNOWING YOU’VE ADVANCED? “It’s been a rollercoaster. I thought we did everything we had to do. We finished fourth and second in those segments and then we had the big one and I’m like, ‘Oh, we’re probably out now.’ But then the 52 they said he was having problems and all of a sudden he starts going and he’s running up there, and then the 41 they’re saying is up there and I’m like, ‘Oh man, maybe we are completely out.’ All in all, now we get to go to the race tracks where the driver gets to mean a lot more than here at Talladega, where you get to run wide-open along the bottom. We have a torn up truck, but we had speed and got good segment points and we’ll go on to Martinsville. I love Martinsville. I’ve got a few different clocks from there and it’s one of my favorite places. Every one of the race tracks we’ve been to are really, really good race tracks for us.”

DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE A NEW LEASE ON LIFE? “Absolutely. Like I said, I say it every week when we were coming up to this – if it’s meant to be, it’ll be. That’s the way I truly and firmly believe. If it’s meant to be, it’ll be. After we wrecked everybody was watching the points and I was watching, but it’s like, ‘Well, if we don’t make it, it wasn’t meant to be.’ All in all, I can’t thank these guys enough for the hard, hard work they did to work on this speedway truck for it to have the speed that it did.”

BEN RHODES, No. 41 Carolina Nut Company Ford F-150 – “It is what it is now. We’ll just go and finish out the season really strong and go win our Ford Championship Weekend down at Homestead even though we won’t be the champion.”

HOW MUCH DOES IT UPSET YOU THAT YOU WON’T GET REDEMPTION FROM LAST YEAR? “Yeah, that is the big disappointment for us and all these guys have worked so hard this year. We’ve put so much into this team and I know everybody says that, but we’ve had so many misfortunes come our way on the race track that have set us back this whole season. Had those not happened, we’d probably have enough Playoff bonus points by now to point our way in and we wouldn’t even be having this conversation, so it’s just been an unlucky season for us. We’re not letting that get us down. We can make excuses, but that’s not what we’re here to do. We’re here to race and get some wins. It was just a bad day, but I think overall at the end we showed that we were still strong even with a truck that looked like it belonged on the wrecker.”

TYPICAL TALLADEGA RACING TODAY? “Today is a heartbreaker. It’s disappointing for us because our 41 Ford F-150 was so strong throughout the race. We went from the front to the back and never really had a chance to prove how good it was and lead. Every time we were in contention to get up to the front we somehow fell to the back, got dumped out of line and then on top of that we got in that wreck as we were making our way back to the front. That’s what really put us down and knocked us out of the championship. Had that not happened and we didn’t have to come to pit road and lose a lap, then we would have been just fine and we wouldn’t have this conversation. But we had to come to pit road because the damage was so great and that’s what put us down, but we’ll move forward from here. We’re down, but we’re not out by any means. We’re gonna rebound and go to Texas, Phoenix, Martinsville and Homestead and have some good fun and finish up the season really strong.”

October 13, 2018
Todd Gilliland Finishes A Disappointing 20th After Strong Start

The father-son duo was in full force this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway.

It was David and Todd Gilliland who were both competing in the Kyle Busch Motorsports stable with David in the No. 51 and Todd in the No 4.

Todd started sixth and was strong early as he finished sixth in Stage 1, and was able to win the second stage after taking the lead on Lap 38.

It wasn’t until Lap 63 where we would see Todd take the top spot once more, working with his dad, David. Unfortunately, Todd was involved in an incident on Lap 84, after some hard racing and contact with race leader, Grant Enfinger. Gilliland spun all the way down to the inside wall, which saw his truck pound the wall and catch air.

After leading 13 laps and winning Stage 2, his day was done and he was relegated to a 20th place finish.

“I was just trying to get under the 98 (Grant Enfinger) while I could,” Gilliland said to MRN Radio. “I felt like this was a good situation. I could see him (Enfinger) coming up more and more. I got into him a little bit in the middle of Turns 3 and 4. He got really far off the bottom and I tried to fill the hole, and I was to his wheel, then he just came back down.”

“Just racing here, that’s what it’s all about, I guess,” Todd told MRN Radio.” “I was having a lot of fun up until then, as my truck was so fast. That was a lot of fun. Guess we’ll just rebound. Won a stage and everything, so just focus on Daytona next year, I guess. First time doing it, not too bad.

October 13, 2018
Wendell Chavous Earns Top Five Finish In Last Career NASCAR Start

It was announced earlier in the week, that Wendell Chavous would not race anymore in NASCAR after the Truck Series race at Talladega Superspeedway on Saturday afternoon. However, Chavous made the most of the opportunity with a fifth-place finish after starting 32nd.

He was able to avoid all of the wrecks, including the last lap wreck which saw Chavous go to the front of the pack. Timing and scoring had at first shown him as the unofficial race winner, but scoring loops showed Timothy Peters as the eventual race winner at the time of the caution. Still, Chavous came home in the fifth position for his final NASCAR start in the Premium Motorsports entry.

“Man, you just don’t know how great this is,” Chavous told MRN Radio. “Leaving the sport to go take care of my family and business, then get my best finish. Man, this is just awesome! Gotta thank my crew guys, Sobriety Nation Chevrolet. Heavy with hearts, the guy riding with me had a crew member who has a family member who passed away. He was riding with me. I think he was pushing me on through the deal back there.”

Chavous made the decision to retire because of the “demanding” schedule and to spend more time with his family.

“I have a 4-year-old son who is growing up very fast and I’ve missed important times in his life because of my racing career,” he said. “I am a father first and I want to be there for him to guide him and watch him grow up.”

The top five at Talladega was Chavous’ best finish in 50 career starts in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

October 13, 2018
Lights Out: Kurt Busch Wins Pole for 1000Bulbs.com 500

Timothy Peters Wins Fr8Auctions 250 for 3rd Talladega Victory in NASCAR Camping World Truck Series

TALLADEGA, Ala. – Kurt Busch led a Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) onslaught Saturday in Foodland/Food Giant Qualifying at Talladega Superspeedway, taking the pole for Sunday’s 1000Bulbs.com 500. The top four positions – meaning, the first two rows – will be filled by SHR drivers, in the pivotal NASCAR Playoff race for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.

The 1000Bulbs.com 500 is set for a 1 p.m. CDT start on Sunday. (TV: NBC; Radio: MRN, Sirius XM NASCAR Radio).

A total of 41 drivers qualified for the available 40 spots. Qualifying consisted of two rounds of single-car runs on the 2.66-mile tri-oval, with the fastest 12 from the first round advancing to the final round. Busch led both rounds in the No. 41 Monster Energy/Haas Automation Ford, with a top speed of 195.804 mph in the second round. His teammates Clint Bowyer, Kevin Harvick and Aric Almirola followed, with Chase Elliott qualifying fifth.

The benefit of starting up front at Talladega is debatable. Only four past 1000Bulbs.com 500 pole winners have gone on to win the race: Dave Marcis in 1976, Bill Elliott in ’87, Dale Earnhardt in ’90 and Sterling Marlin in ’95. That statistic underscores the track’s renowned unpredictability – and its “wild card” reputation.

Nothing is assured on these high banks.

But Busch will take it. Saturday marked the first pole of his career at the two fastest tracks on the NASCAR schedule – Talladega Superspeedway and Daytona International Speedway. Busch has one Monster Energy Series victory at those tracks, in the 2017 DAYTONA 500.

“I’ve been working at this for 20 years to get a restrictor plate pole and now I have one,” said Busch. “This is a real bucket list item for me. It’s impressive teamwork and a commitment level. This is awesome.”

Twelve Monster Energy Series drivers remain in championship contention, a group that includes all of the top-five qualifiers from Saturday. For those 12, a victory Sunday will result in automatic advancement to the next round, although Elliott has already advanced via a victory last week.

Following next week’s (Oct. 21) event at Kansas Speedway, the contenders list will be trimmed to eight, after which three more races will produce a “Championship 4” showdown going into the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Prior to qualifying, Timothy Peters (No. 25 Kingman Chevrolet Chevrolet) won the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series’ Fr8Auctions 250, becoming the only driver to win three truck races at NASCAR’s biggest track. Series rookie Myatt Snider (No. 13 RideTV Ford) finished second with polesitter David Gilliland (No. 51 Pedigree Toyota) third.

The trucks are notorious at Talladega for the “Big One” – terminology for multi-vehicle mash-ups – and Saturday’s race showed why. A 10-truck accident on Lap 60 took out a number of frontrunners and necessitated a red flag of 11 minutes, 42 seconds.

The Fr8Auctions 250 wrapped up the first NASCAR Playoff round for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series – and it reduced the field of championship contenders to six: Justin Haley, Fairhope, AL native Grant Enfinger, Noah Gragson, Brett Moffitt and former series champions Matt Crafton and Johnny Sauter.

After three more events, the truck series will have its own Championship 4 finalized up for the season’s last race at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Ticket information for the 1000Bulbs.com 500 and all Talladega Superspeedway events is available on-line at www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or by calling (855) 518-RACE (7223).

About Talladega Superspeedway
Talladega Superspeedway is NASCAR’s most competitive (record 88 lead changes in 188 laps), highest banked (33 degrees), and longest track (2.66-miles), as well as the most fun and fan-friendly. Talladega offers something for everyone, including hundreds of acres of free camping, amazing kids tickets and college student prices, along with special offers for military members and first responders, and teachers and educators. The historic venue, which opened in 1969, is deemed NASCAR’s “Party Capital” thanks to the track’s infamous infield, which features the traditional Saturday Night Infield Concert presented by Wind Creek Casino and Hotel and the world-renowned Talladega Blvd., home of Friday night’s “Big One on the Blvd.” party. It’s the site of the most comfortable seats in motorsports, large ISM Vision HD video boards lining the frontstretch and endless pre-race activities for fans on race day, including special Kids VIP opportunities. For ticket information, visit www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or call 855-518-RACE (7223).

The track, along with its parent company, International Speedway Corporation, recently announced Transformation – The Talladega Superspeedway Infield Project. The approximate $50 million redevelopment endeavor is part of ISC’s long-term capital allocation plan and reinvestment into its major motorsports complexes. The project, highlighted by a one-of-a-kind Garage Fan Zone Experience, will feature “up-close” access, interactive attractions and enhanced amenities for fans, sponsors, teams and stakeholders in the iconic Talladega infield. Full completion of the modernized project is scheduled for October of 2019. Fans can learn more about the project by visiting www.talladegasuperspeedway.com/transformation. The track, which opened in 1969, will also celebrate its 50th Anniversary next year.

October 13, 2018
Timothy Peters Collects 11th Career Win In Last Lap Thriller At Talladega

The final race in the Round of 8 for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series took place Saturday afternoon in Talladega, Alabama and as always, it proved once again anything is possible and nothing is over until the checkered flag falls.

This was the case for Timothy Peters who earned his third win at Talladega Superspeedway after an incident with leader Noah Gragson on the last lap.

“We had a great run,” Peters told MRN Radio. “You know, at the end, it’s pretty much game on and everyone for themselves. We’re good with all of our teammates. I messed up on that initial start and let that 88 (Matt Crafton) hang me out, but we made up for it at the end. I hate it that the big one was started, but you know, I couldn’t see the replay very good a minute ago on TV. Block or whatever, you’re going for the win.”

“Without Mike Beam giving me that call, I wouldn’t even be here,” he told MRN Radio. So thank you to him, Maury Gallagher, Spencer Gallagher, the whole 25 team for working their butts off and I’m just glad to be a part of it. The plane ride home is going to be really nice. ”

David Gilliland and Spencer Gallagher set the front row in qualifying late Friday afternoon.

The first stage was 20 laps and it went green without any incidents. Playoff driver and Las Vegas winner, Grant Enfinger, took the checkered flag in the first stage. There were some issues on pit road, however, as David Gilliland was penalized for pitting outside the box and given a one lap penalty. The No. 16 of Brett Moffitt was penalized for an uncontrolled tire.

Stage 2 took place on lap 25-lap 40. Like the first stage, there were no incidents until Moffitt and Austin Hill had damage in the remaining laps. This time, David’s son, Todd Gilliland, won Stage 2.

The third and final stage began on Lap 45 with 48 to go and it saw several incidents all the way to the checkered flag. It started on Lap 48 when Tanner Thorson spun on the backstretch to bring out a caution.

Then the expected big one was seen with 35 to go. The No. 47 of Chris Fontaine was clipped by the No. 24 of Justin Haley, which saw Fontaine go back up the track and several others were involved including John Hunter Nemechek, Ben Rhodes, Justin Fontaine, Bo LeMastus, Parker Kligerman, Matt Crafton, and Johnny Sauter. During the pit stops, Enfinger was penalized for removing equipment (a gas can).

After a red flag, the restart came with 31 laps to go. Austin Hill was penalized for passing Jennifer Jo Cobb underneath the yellow line. Enfinger took the lead with 22 to go. As laps were winding down, playoff hopeful, Moffitt had a flat right rear and had to make a pit stop.

With 12 to go, Todd Gilliland was spun and hit the inside wall after contact with Enfinger.

This saw the race resume with six to go. Gragson was out front trying to hold off the field for his first win since Kansas in May. However, too many trucks had good runs and there was aggressive pushing. On the last lap, Gragson was turned by eventual race winner Timothy Peters. Gragson’s truck got air and others started wrecking as well.

NASCAR had no choice but to throw the caution. Peters was in the right spot at the right time to take home his 11th career win, his third at Talladega.

It was his last race of the season in the No. 25 GMS Racing Chevy.

“Everyone was wanting to win, wanting to block,” Peters told MRN Radio. “I’m wanting to win too. This was my last go around of the three-race stint. At the end of the day, I was going for it.”

Johnny Sauter, Brett Moffitt, Noah Gragson, Grant Enfinger, Justin Haley, and Matt Crafton all move on to the Round of 6 that begins at Martinsville Speedway Saturday, Oct. 27.

Ben Rhodes and Stewart Friesen were eliminated from competing for the championship.

October 13, 2018
Toyota Racing Post-Qualifying Notes-NASCAR Camping World Truck Series

Toyota Racing Post-Qualifying Notes
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS)
Talladega Superspeedway – October 12, 2018

TOYOTA STARTING POSITIONS

1st, DAVID GILLILAND
2nd, Spencer Gallagher*
3rd, Timothy Peters*
4th, Grant Enfinger*
5th, Johnny Sauter*
6th, TODD GILLILAND
8th, BRETT MOFFITT
12th, BO LEMASTUS
13th, NOAH GRAGSON
15th, KORBIN FORRISTER
25th, SCOTT LAGASSE JR.

*non-Toyota driver

TOYOTA QUOTES

DAVID GILLILAND, No. 51 Pedigree Toyota Tundra, Kyle Busch Motorsports

Qualifying Position: 1st

What’s it going to take to get to Victory Lane?

“I have to thank Pedigree and all the folks at Kyle Busch Motorsports, Toyota and TRD (Toyota Racing Development). We have a really fast Toyota Tundra here. Pedigree is making this all happen. Letting me race with my son (Todd Gilliland) on his first superspeedway race is absolutely incredible. It’s the most meaningful race I’ve ever raced in. Here we are on the pole. We rescued this guy (dog) from the Birmingham Humane Society. Everyone should go to the Pedigree Foundation and help rescue some of these dogs. There is all kinds of puppies that need good homes. We were there yesterday and we’re taking one home. An awesome weekend already and we’re going to be starting where you want to. At Daytona, we were close. We ran up front and won a stage. We just came up a bit short. We have to finish it off. We need to get that checkered flag this weekend.”

Tell us about the dog you have here with you.

“Winston (dog) is a sweetheart. The Pedigree Foundation we did an appearance with yesterday at the Birmingham Humane Society. We got to see a lot of dogs and cats who need to be rescued. My family went and we rescued Winston from there. A very special day. What Pedigree has done is really special. We had to bring him home. He matches the truck my son is racing this weekend. Very special weekend and one we’ll remember forever with Winston and being able to race with my son Todd on his superspeedway debut is super special. I can’t thank Kyle Busch Motorsports, Toyota and Pedigree for the opportunity.”

Is restrictor-plate racing like riding a bike for a veteran like you?

“I enjoy it. It seems like people either love coming here or hate it. I love it. I don’t know if that’s why we seem to run better but I enjoy it. To be out there on the track with Todd for his first time. We’ve been watching races and going over video the last few weeks. To be able to try to help him and be there with him is super special. To be in a truck that looks like his is even more special for me.”

Would NASCAR clear you to take this dog with you around the track?

“I don’t think he’s ready for that yet. We have him on the quarter panel. Todd and I both do. I think that’s as close as we’ll get.”

What’s it been like playing all of the roles you’re playing this weekend?

“It’s been busy. Bo LeMastus is driving our DGR-Crosley truck. Going back and forth, I am helping him. We work on the pull down all week and tried to get that thing as much speed as possible. Then working with Todd. He went out with his first pack today. We went back and forth, and I answered his questions. It’s been a busy weekend. It’s been fun. It’s one I will remember forever.”

DAVID GILLILAND, No. 51 Pedigree Toyota Tundra, Kyle Busch Motorsports (continued)

Do you push Todd to win tomorrow or do you help him if the situation presents itself?

“I don’t know. At first, I thought it would be really cool to help him win. Every interview he’s done, though, he says he’s going to dump me and do everything he can to win. I don’t know. I might have to rethink that. If it can be our two Tundra’s going for the win, that will be a win.”

How many teams is DGR-Crosley going to have next year?

“More than we had this year for sure. I’m really excited and we’re working on more announcements. Our DGR-Crosley team is growing very, very quickly. We just acquired another 30,000 square feet on the building next door to expand next year. I’m really excited and I love NASCAR. NASCAR is all I’ve ever done – my Dad raced, myself and now my son. I’m really excited to get out here and drive, but I’m excited to be on the ownership side too. In the K&N Series this year, we got first and second in the owner’s championships, which was a huge accomplishment and next year I feel very confident that we’re going to be running for a Truck championship too. Hopefully, we can announce the rest of that soon.”

What has been the biggest difference between the driver and owner side?

“The bills. Lots of bills, but it’s been a lot of fun. On the driver’s side, normally you get a check and on the owner’s side, you have to write a lot of checks. Probably the most surprising thing is the tire bill. We’ve spent a lot of money in tires over all these series, but Goodyear provides a good tire and obviously, they’re worth it. Just chasing partners, new partners and sponsors and all that stuff that it takes to be a successful race team and have the resources that it takes to come out here and be as competitive as a team as we want to be. It’s tough, but I knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but it’s a good challenge.”

How familiar are you with NASCAR combining all of the touring series and ARCA?

“I think it’s good. I’m not 100 percent familiar with it, but I was at the owner’s meeting they had about it in Dover and I think it’s going to be really good for the series. I think ARCA needs more cars and K&N needs more cars. They’re both on radial tires now, which has been really good for both series and I think combining them is going to be good. There’s still some details they need to work out, but I think in the long term it’s going to be really good. We have ARCA cars and K&N cars under DGR-Crosley so I feel really good about it and I think it’s going to be a great step for these young kids coming up to give them the experience they need to develop them and for them to be able to come and run in the Truck Series at the level they need to.”

If you got the opportunity to run full-time again in NASCAR’s national series, would you?

“I don’t know. That’s a tough one. I like owning the team and stuff and I’ve enjoyed racing this year. Racing with my son has been very special, but I enjoy helping him too and being on the radio and helping him. Something I’ve done over the last couple of years that I’ve enjoyed. Not only him, but all the young drivers coming through our program. Our program at DGR-Crosley, we try to work really hard to make it different and everybody says we want our program to be different, but to truly develop these young drivers and help them and to do that I can’t race and do that properly. If I do that, it’s going to take away from what we’re trying to do with our team so probably not.”

TODD GILLILAND, No. 4 Pedigree Puppy Toyota Tundra, Kyle Busch Motorsports

Qualifying Position: 6th

Are you looking forward to your first superspeedway race?

“I’m super excited about getting introduced to a new type of racing. I feel like my Kyle Busch Motorsports guys brought me a really fast Toyota Tundra this weekend, just like always. Ended up sixth in qualifying, but we’re looking for a few spots better in the race, but that’s a good spot to learn from with some veterans around me. Hopefully, use what I learn and beat them at the end.”

Do you expect to race near your Dad for much of the race if possible?

“Hopefully we’re up front the whole time. That’s the biggest thing in practice – when he (David Gilliland) was behind us, he was going to stick with me. Better or worse, that will be different in the race, but we’re both here to win. We’re going to do what’s best for both of us, but also it will be nice to have someone you trust out there.”

NOAH GRAGSON, No. 18 Safelite AutoGlass Toyota Tundra, Kyle Busch Motorsports

Qualifying Position: 13th

Are you concerned about the starting position?

“I don’t know. I am going back and forth since I got out of my Safelite AutoGlass Toyota Tundra. I thought we were going to be about 8-11th. I was watching the guys and saw the No. 18 go further down. We’ll be all right. I was talking to my crew chief Rudy Fugle and he told me sometimes the slower ones suck up the best, yet they’re the best in the draft. We have to go into tomorrow optimistic. I am very grateful to be out here at Talladega. We have one goal, and that’s to points-race our way into the next round.”

October 12, 2018
David Gilliland Grabs Pole for Saturday’s Fr8Auctions 250

– NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Playoff Race will Trim Field of Contenders to Six
– Saturday Schedule Includes Foodland/Food Giant Qualifying for Sunday’s 1000Bulbs.com 500
– Sunday Ticket-Holders Can Attend Saturday Night Infield Concert Presented by Wind Creek Casino and Hotel

TALLADEGA, Ala. – David Gilliland captured the pole position for the Fr8Auctions 250 on Friday at Talladega Superspeedway, setting the stage for Saturday’s critical NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Playoff race.

The Fr8Auctions 250, set for Saturday at noon CDT, is the last race of the first NASCAR Playoff round for the truck series – and will trim the field of championship contenders to six. After three more events, the series will have its “Championship 4” finalized for the season’s last race at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

For the eight drivers currently alive in the championship battle, a victory Saturday will award automatic advancement to the next round. But the “wild card” nature of Talladega’s 2.66-mile tri-oval means that in terms of a race victory, virtually everyone is a contender.

And that high-banked reality is personified by Gilliland (No. 51 Pedigree Toyota), racing in the truck series at Talladega for the first time, for Kyle Busch Motorsports. His overall Talladega resume, though, bodes well for Saturday. Gilliland won the pole for the track’s October 2006 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race, and started second in April 2007. He also has four top-10 ‘Dega finishes in Monster Energy Series competition.

Gilliland topped qualifying at 180.570 mph. Spencer Gallagher (No. 2 Allegiant Chevrolet) will start alongside on the front row. Gilliland’s son Todd (No. 4 Pedigree Puppy Toyota) will start sixth.

Also Saturday, at 10:05 a.m. CDT, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series will have its only practice session. Foodland/Food Giant Qualifying is set for 3:35 p.m. CDT, to establish the starting lineup for the weekend’s main event – Sunday’s 1000Bulbs.com 500.

Saturday night, fans also can enjoy off-track activities. Kids Movie Night will take place in the FOX Sports 1 Dome (located behind the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, just outside the track), with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. CDT. Anyone holding a Sunday ticket will also have access to the traditional Saturday Night Infield Concert presented by Wind Creek Casino and Hotel (6 p.m. CDT), located in the infamous infield at the 2.66-mile venue, featuring country music artist Chris Janson.

About Talladega Superspeedway
Talladega Superspeedway is NASCAR’s most competitive (record 88 lead changes in 188 laps), highest banked (33 degrees), and longest track (2.66-miles), as well as the most fun and fan-friendly. Talladega offers something for everyone, including hundreds of acres of free camping, amazing kids tickets and college student prices, along with special offers for military members and first responders, and teachers and educators. The historic venue, which opened in 1969, is deemed NASCAR’s “Party Capital” thanks to the track’s infamous infield, which features the traditional Saturday Night Infield Concert presented by Wind Creek Casino and Hotel and the world-renowned Talladega Blvd., home of Friday night’s “Big One on the Blvd.” party. It’s the site of the most comfortable seats in motorsports, large ISM Vision HD video boards lining the frontstretch and endless pre-race activities for fans on race day, including special Kids VIP opportunities. For ticket information, visit www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or call 855-518-RACE (7223).

The track, along with its parent company, International Speedway Corporation, recently announced Transformation – The Talladega Superspeedway Infield Project. The approximate $50 million redevelopment endeavor is part of ISC’s long-term capital allocation plan and reinvestment into its major motorsports complexes. The project, highlighted by a one-of-a-kind Garage Fan Zone Experience, will feature “up-close” access, interactive attractions and enhanced amenities for fans, sponsors, teams and stakeholders in the iconic Talladega infield. Full completion of the modernized project is scheduled for October of 2019. Fans can learn more about the project by visiting www.talladegasuperspeedway.com/transformation. The track, which opened in 1969, will also celebrate its 50th Anniversary next year.

October 12, 2018
Toyota NCWTS Talladega Noah Gragson and Brett Moffitt Quotes – 10.12.18

Toyota Racing – Brett Moffitt and Noah Gragson

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS)

Talladega Superspeedway – October 12, 2018

Hattori Racing driver Brett Moffitt and Kyle Busch Motorsports driver Noah Gragson were made available to the media at Talladega Superspeedway:

BRETT MOFFITT, No. 16 Hattori Racing Enterprises Toyota Tundra, Hattori Racing

What is it like to have a couple weeks in between the races in Round 1?

The first round of the Truck Playoffs is tough. There’s a lot of tracks where you don’t know what’s going to happen. Everyone saw Las Vegas as a chance to capitalize and move on. Coming here to Talladega,
it’s not the best place to be when you have to points race.”

What is it like racing against some of these other bigger teams and knowing you have a shot at this thing?

“It’s huge for Hattori Racing as a team. The racing organization he’s built in the last couple of years has been amazing to be a one-truck team and compete with some of the bigger times like GMS Racing or Kyle Busch Motorsports. It says a lot to the people and personnel he put in place to run the team, and everyone he put in the competition side. It means a lot. We’ve had a lot of struggles just getting to the track but we’ve made it this far and I am guessing everyone has seen our truck so far this weekend. It’s all black and that’s not a good sign but we are going to have the American Red Cross on the truck for the race and help raise money for everyone suffering right now. All around the world really, with all of the recent natural disasters, when we’re having a bad day and don’t have a sponsor on the truck – that won’t even compare to their bad day. Glad we can make it a positive and race for everyone in need.”

How much information do you want to be sent during the race about the Playoffs?

“That’s tough. As a racer, you know who you’re racing against and where they’re at. We’re in a vulnerable position because we can’t go play offense and get in a wreck. At the same time, the 52 and 41 are going to be doing that, going for stage points and stages. If that works out well for them, we have to be really aggressive on the final stage and try to win the race or finish in front of them. It’s tough and I think after each stage, we need to be updated and see what we need to work with and do.”

Is it intimidating to race here for the first time on top of the situation you are in needing to advance?

“I have been fortunate enough to run Daytona a few times. This is plain and simple an easier version of Daytona in a way. The handling doesn’t come into play quite as much as it does at Daytona. It gives me confidence here. Our first few runs I was just trying to figure everything out through the Tri-Ovals, which are a little touchy here due to that seam above the first grove. You really have to work through there careful and make sure you’re not pushing through
there. It’s plate-racing. My plate-racing history is terrible right now. Hopefully we can change that.”

Did the break prove to beneficial for you being a single-truck organization?

“Yeah, we needed the time. We didn’t have our Speedweeks truck since we wrecked it in Daytona. We didn’t have it together until I guess the hauler left at 5:30 the other night to come here. They needed all that time to do that. It was a little bit of a rush but it gave us a chance to regroup. When we were waiting on the speedway truck from the body shop, we were able to catch up on the trucks moving forward as well.”

Have you talked to Hattori Racing about returning in 2019?

“I have not. I have talked to him but there’s nothing done. I don’t know what the plans are.”

NOAH GRAGSON, No. 18 Safelite AutoGlass Toyota Tundra, Kyle Busch Motorsports

Do you know what your set up will be like next year in the Xfinity Series?

“I don’t know who my crew chief will be. I was reading on Twitter yesterday and I saw (Kevin) Meendering, who I think that is the crew chief for the No. 1 car. I started to put things together and I thought that was the guy who is supposed to be my crew chief, why is he going to be the crew chief of Jimmie Johnson next year? I don’t know who it’s going to be. I am really focused on competing this weekend and finishing this year out strong with my Kyle Busch team.

Making the move to Junior Motorsports – I didn’t have an opportunity to run full-time with Joe Gibbs Racing, which was my number one pick. I wanted to stay within that Toyota Racing camp. They’ve been really good to me. Toyota and TRD (Toyota Racing Development) have been a huge part of my career. I really want to thank them but it wasn’t mean to be. We had to look at other options and Junior Motorsports was interested in myself and the puzzle piece fit together. I am really excited for the opportunity and I am going to try to make the most of it.”

What is it like to have a couple weeks in between the races in Round 1?

“It’s weird because when you start the playoffs, you start them before the Cup or Xfinity guys, and you don’t end your first round until after them. I’ve been fortunate enough to race a late model in Pensacola, Florida to prepare for the SnowBall Derby a couple of weeks ago. I at least got a little bit of track time. This round is so unique with the tracks, you have a road course, 1.5-mile track and a superspeedway. You’d like to be three weeks in a row. When you have that much time off, it’s like you have to get into a rhythm again getting back to the track and remember to double check everything because you haven’t done it in a while. Different and makes it interesting but there’s nothing we can really do.”

What is it about the Xfinity Series you like and are looking forward to?

I feel like you have to have two different driving styles for a car or a truck. I feel like my driving style fits how a car drives better. That’s not taking anything away from right now and that’s finishing
off the year strong. I’m working extremely hard with myself and team to be the best I can be to give them the best shot at winning a championship. I don’t know if it’s just my driving style doesn’t fit well with the trucks and momentum style of racing. But the cars seem like they slip and slide out of the race track a lot more, and you’re having to lift out of the throttle a lot more compared to the trucks. A lot of difference and I feel my driving style fits the cars a bit better.”

How tough is it to points race in the Playoffs?

“I feel like myself and Brett are in the same spot. I am 23 to the good and he’s 18 to the good. You want to try and survive. We’re still on the good side but we can’t go hang around in the back because if those guys have really good point stages, and we get collected in the final stage in a wreck, we might not make it. It’s nor offense or defense. It’s a weird position we’re both in. For me personally, I have worked really hard with my crew chief Rudy (Fugle) preparing for the different situations points-wise, and how the race can lay out. We’re just trying to eliminate a factor of question when we’re out on the race track. I want to be in the know as much as possible. We’ve been working really hard on situations and what it can come down to. I feel like we’re in a pretty good place right now.”

How did the race at Pensacola go?

“Yeah, I have been there and ran the Derby three times now. That was my second-ever Blizzard race. That was my fifth time down there. I really didn’t understand that race track. I didn’t know what I needed for the end of a race and it finally clicked this past weekend. We led the first 30 laps and we didn’t run well after that. But I think that’s key to how we’ll be able to fix the problem when we go back there for the Derby and I know what I need now. I am really excited to get back there and we’ll be pretty good.”

What are the resources at Kyle Busch Motorsports that can help a young driver advance to the Truck Series?

“I feel like that’s how my story was. Myself and a guy like Todd Gilliland or Harrison Burton – where they grew up racing and that’s all they know. They grew up in the Cup garage and their dads raced Cup. They can sit down with them and say anything with them. They’ve been around it. For me, I started racing when I was 13. No one in my family raced. It was a little bit of a rude awakening going to the K&N Pro Series where it’s a lot more laid back. Then you jump into the Truck Series and over at Kyle Busch Motorsports, it’s very structured. It’s very much like a job and very serious. It caught me off guard a little bit at first last year. Using all of the resources with Toyota and Toyota Racing Development – they’re strongly supportive of Kyle Busch Motorsports. That’s definitely a big benefit as a driver. Maybe being the most beneficial being able to lean on the three teams. The team that you’re driving for, the other two and then Kyle Busch, who owns it. He’s a guy you can ask questions to but it becomes a little tricky with that because Kyle isn’t going to come to you and say here’s what you need to fix. You need to go to him with a question. That’s where it’s tricky because as a young driver, you don’t know what to ask. Every single week, it’s more natural over there. Things start to flow a lot better. It prepared me and taught me to grow up on and off the race track. Things I need to look for, so I’d say it’s a really good development program for a young driver like myself to go run with another team. I don’t know if that will prepare you like Kyle Busch Motorsports does. A great organization and I am very fortunate to run with them. It’s been a dream come true and an honor.”

October 12, 2018