Johnny Sauter, No. 21 Allegiant Chevrolet
START: 6th
FINISH: 2nd
POINTS: 1st
Notes:
– Sauter was leading with five to go before a series of cautions set up NASCAR Overtime, ultimately resulting in his 11th top-three finish of the season.
– Sauter extended his points lead to 17 points over Noah Gragson with one race remaining in the Round of 8.
Quote:
“Our night obviously didn’t start off very good, we were off a little bit. I just told Joe (Shear Jr.) ‘I don’t care what you change, just do something big.’ We were struggling to run in the top-10, so hats off to Joe and my guys for working on it all night long. I think toward the middle part of the race we were the fastest truck and drove to the lead and thought we were in good shape. Then, just caution after caution after caution. I struggled on restarts tonight, I’ve got some work to do there, but overall it ended up being a decent night for us.”
Justin Haley, No. 24 Fraternal Order of Eagles Chevrolet
START: 12th
FINISH: 3rd
POINTS: 4th
Notes:
– Friday night’s third-place finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway was a NCWTS track-best finish for Haley in three races at the 1.5-mile oval.
– Haley once again extended his streak of consecutive top-10 finishes to nine after this weekend. His streak began back in June with his win at Gateway Motorsports Park. Haley now also has seven top-five finishes and 14 top-10 finishes so far in the 2018 NCWTS season.
– Haley remains fourth in the 2018 NCWTS driver point standings but is still locked in to the Round of Six of the NCWTS NASACR Playoffs after his win at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park.
Quote:
“We had a really good No. 24 Fraternal Order of Eagles Chevy this weekend, even from as soon as we unloaded, I knew we were going to have a good race. We just were a bit off on qualifying from where we would have liked to be, and even at the start of the race we struggled to get the handling of the truck where it needed to be. The longer the race went, the more the handling would finally start to come around. It wasn’t until the closing laps and multiple cautions, that allowed me to really be able to use the restarts to my advantage and get up within striking distance of the leaders. While it would have been nice to get another win, it was a good overall night for us and I really feel like we have momentum on our side heading to Talladega.”
– Peters’ was looking at a solid top-10 finish in his second start for GMS Racing, but sustained damage in a late race incident resulting in him being a lap down during NASCAR Overtime.
– The No. 25 is 12th in the NCWTS Owner Points standings.
Quote:
“We had a really fast truck tonight. I knew I had some work to do after qualifying but the balance was pretty good to start. There were some penalties on pit road that made it difficult to get up front, but once we got through cautions and traffic, we were able to run top-10 and were right there at the top-five. Unfortunately things happen and we weren’t able to get the finish that we deserved. I really appreciate Mike (Beam) and Maury (Gallagher) for giving me the opportunity to come out and compete with Jerry (Baxter) and the No. 25 team again.”
Cody Coughlin, No. 2 God Bless the Broken Road Chevrolet
START: 15th
FINISH: 24th
POINTS: 11th
Notes:
– Running solidly within the top-15 all night, Coughlin had worked his up to the ninth position until he was ultimately turned around in the closing laps and was unable to finish the race due to damage.
– After his run at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Coughlin remained 11th in the 2018 NCWTS driver point standings.
Quote:
“We had a great race going until were taken out. It’s really disappointing. Our guys did a great job this weekend and we had a great God Bless the Broken Road Chevy tonight.”
ABOUT GMS RACING
GMS Racing competes full-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series with drivers Cody Coughlin, Johnny Sauter and Justin Haley and in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Since the team’s start in 2014, GMS Racing has grown to occupy several buildings located in Statesville, N.C. The campus also includes operations for GMS Fabrication.
SOCIAL MEDIA
To keep up-to-date with the latest news, information and exclusive content, follow GMS Racing on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
After a wild race with 5-wide passing, Grant Enfinger emerges on top to grab the win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the World of Westgate 200 in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
“Unbelievable day,” Enfinger said with a big sigh of relief. “[David] Pepper over here is pretty dry is it comes, so it’s kinda happy to see him get choked up a bit. We’ve put together a couple individual performances that could’ve won a race throughout the year, and this was the first time we put the whole package together. It’s a testament to ThorSport Racing.”
Johnny Sauter was rarely in the top ten, but managed to get better throughout the night. The final stage and restarts had his truck fighting for the win.
“We were off a little bit,” Sauter shared in the media center after the race. “So hats off to Joe and all my guys for working it all over. We drove to the lead, and felt like we were in good shape, but caution after caution after caution. Struggled on the restarts tonight, so we have work to do there.”
Sauter explained more specific frustrations claiming some competitors had built motors.
“Restarts are crazy. You have built motors out there that can turn an additional 1500 RPMs going on the restarts, so you feel very vulnerable. The No. 16 and 88 had built motors, and you’re at a disadvantage especially late in the race, and it’s been that way all year. It’s starting to really piss me off.”
Ben Rhodes and Matt Crafton completed the results of the top five finishers. The other three playoff contenders were Brett Moffit, Stewart Friesen and Noah Gragson, who finished 11th, 17th and 18th respectively.
“We didn’t start off the best,” Haley said as he addressed the media. “We didn’t qualify too well, and were running with Johnny [Sauter] there. I’m really tired since I’m still on east coast time, but it was a good night. I agree with Johnny on the built motor statement, and it definitely is a disadvantage. I think it’s going to be a bigger disadvantage going into Homestead where there’s tire fall off.”
As Haley made these statements, Sauter was nodding his head.
Noah Gragson Leads All Laps in Stage 1
While running the second lap of competition, Tanner Thorson in the No. 20 GO Share Chevrolet swerved in the entry of Turn 4 to avoid a collision, causing his truck to drift outside of the preferred racing line and smacked the outside wall. His truck started to smoke from the damage along the front stretch, but before he could complete the third lap and enter pit road, his truck caught fire at the entrance of pit road, bringing out the first yellow of the race. He was evaluated and released from the infield care center.
As the field took the green for the second time of the evening, Matt Crafton, who started from the back, made an exciting 5-wide move on the back stretch to fight his way up to the sixth position. Joe Nemechek was the only other truck that
At the end of the first stage, Noah Gragson not only led all 30 laps but ran in front to over a four second lead over John Hunter Nemechek, 52, 4, 51. This was Gragson’s 10th stage win of the season.
Grant Enfinger Claims the Stage 2 Victory
As the field took the green flag for the second stage, Grant Enfinger was the dominant truck leading the most laps. On Lap 46, Bo LeMastus spun in Turn 3 to bring out the third yellow flag of the night. The second stage also saw more lead changes.
Gragson started to lead the opening laps, but was quickly passed by Friesen. Grant Enfinger put his truck out in front for one lap before Friesen reclaimed the top spot. The last 11 laps were led by Enfinger. The only yellow flag in the second stage was for the No. 17 Toyota of LeMastus.
Strategies Unfold in the Final Stage
Todd Gilliland was running in the top 10 for most of the race, but on lap 82, was battling with Friesen. On the front stretch, Gilliland tried to tuck in behind Friesen entering Turn 1, but Jesse Little was too close behind Friesen. Gilliland and Little made contact, sending Gilliland into the outside wall.
During pit stops, the various strategies between the teams began to unfold. Enfinger was the only truck that elected for fuel only. A small handful of drivers got right-side tires, and the rest of the field, including Gragson and Sauter, received full service.
With almost thirty laps to go, a four-wide pass on the backstretch caused contact with the outer two drivers. Gragson, the furthest to the outside, receive right front damage and a lap later, blew the left front tire. While he was able to keep it off the wall and enter pit road, he also received a commitment line violation as he entered pit road too late.
Friesen slipped out of Turn 4 and slid through the grass. Because of all the debris that got tossed onto the track, NASCAR through the yellow flag, trapping Noah Gragson a lap down. Gragson visited pit road multiple times after the right rear tire started to go flat.
With 13 laps to go, Cory Roper’s truck stalled on the front stretch to bring out the yellow flag. Brandon Jones also brought his Toyota Tundra on pit road, and as the crew raised the hood, it appeared that his truck was done for the race.
Stewart Friesen spun again on lap 130 to bring out the caution with five laps to go.
Three Attempts to Finish the World of Westgate 200
The “Big One” erupts at Vegas during the second overtime finish attempt. Photo by Rachel Myers for Speedway Media.
On the first attempt to finish the race with a green-white-checkered, it all started on the restart. While Brett Moffit got a great start on the outside, Johnny Sauter slightly slipped on the restart, but was able to stay within a truck-length of Moffit. However, Ben Rhodes made a move to the inside on the apron going into Turn 1. That forced both drivers to back out of the throttle and cram the field behind them. Sauter played defense on the exit of Turn 2 and along the backstretch. Thinking he was clear, he tried to close the door on Enfinger, but contact between the two trucks caused Sauter to go sideways slightly on the backstretch, but towards the back of the field. Cody Caughlin ended up spinning out, making heavy contact with the inside wall. The yellow came out before the leaders took the white flag, forcing a second attempt to finish the race.
On this restart, the field seemed to have a better start as a whole. Moffit still had a strong restart, but as the field entered the backstretch, mayhem began to unfold. By the time they entered Turn 3, there were three different 3-wide battles, one 4-wide battle and one 5-wide battle. Before the leaders could get to the start/finish line, the No. 25 truck of Timothy Peters was sideways in the exit of Turn 4. Roughly nine trucks were involved, including John Hunter Nemechek, TJ Bell, Jordan Anderson and Austin Hill.
The race was red flagged for just over ten minutes to clean up debris and fluid from pit road entrance, in the grass and along the front stretch.
The final attempt was heartbreak for Moffit. When the green flag waved for the last restart, Moffit’s truck appeared to not pick up fuel in time, as he barely got out of Sauter’s way in the outside lane. Moffit would eventually get back up to speed, but not before most of the field got around him. He finished 11th.
“Just ran out of fuel,” Moffit shared “I didn’t put enough in the pick up.”
Enfinger to his inside took full advantage and cleared the field going into Turn 1. He never looked back, leading the final two laps to claim the victory over Johnny Sauter.
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races again at Talladega Superspeedway on October 13. Visit the Talladega Superspeedway website to purchase tickets today!
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Unofficial Race Results for the 22Nd Annual World Of Westgate 200 – Friday, September 14, 2018 Las Vegas Motor Speedway – Las Vegas, NV – 1.5 Mile Paved Total Race Length – 144 Laps – 216 Miles
Pos
St
Trk
Driver
Team
Make
1
3
98
Grant Enfinger
(P) Champion Power Equipment/Curb Records
Ford
2
6
21
Johnny Sauter
(P) Allegiant
Chevrolet
3
12
24
Justin Haley
(P) Fraternal Order Of Eagles
Chevrolet
4
18
41
Ben Rhodes
(P) The Carolina Nut Co.
Ford
5
29
88
Matt Crafton
(P) Ideal Door/Menards
Ford
6
13
13
Myatt Snider #
Century Container
Ford
7
24
15
Ross Chastain(i)
Premium Motorsports
Chevrolet
8
21
30
Austin Theriault
Cross Insurance
Toyota
9
25
22
Austin Wayne
Self GO TEXAN
Chevrolet
10
4
54
Chris Eggleston
H2O Fire Protection
Toyota
11
9
16
Brett Moffitt
(P) TZ
Toyota
12
27
10
Jennifer Jo
Cobb Waldo’s Painting Company
Chevrolet
13
20
7
Korbin Forrister
TruClear
Toyota
14
30
45
Justin Fontaine #
ProMATIC Automation/Superior Essex
Chevrolet
15
26
97
Jesse Little
JJL Motorsports
Ford
16
28
83
Bayley Currey
Chevrolet
17
2
52
Stewart Friesen
(P) We Build America
Chevrolet
18
1
18
Noah Gragson
(P) Safelite AutoGlass
Toyota
19
14
25
Timothy Peters
Kingman
Chevrolet
20
32
3
Jordan Anderson
Commercial Property Services
Chevrolet
21
23
38
TJ Bell
Niece Equipment
Chevrolet
22
8
8
John Hunter
Nemechek(i) Berry’s Manufacturing
Chevrolet
23
16
02
Austin Hill
Young’s Building Systems/Randco
Chevrolet
24
15
2
Cody Coughlin
GOD BLESS THE BROKEN ROAD
Chevrolet
25
19
04
Cory Roper
Preferred Industrial Contractors Inc.
Ford
26
7
51
Brandon Jones(i)
Delta Faucet/Menards
Toyota
27
10
4
Todd Gilliland #
JBL/SiriusXM
Toyota
28
31
49
Wendell Chavous
Sobriety Nation
Chevrolet
29
5
46
Riley Herbst
Advance Auto Parts
Toyota
30
17
17
Bo LeMastus #
Crosley Brands
Toyota
31
22
87
Joe Nemechek
Harrah’s
Chevrolet
32
11
20
Tanner Thorson
GO Share
Chevrolet
(P) Playoff Contender
(i) Ineligible for driver points in this series
(#) Rookie
With a dominating time of 30.331 seconds at 178.036 mph, Noah Gragson will start in the top spot for this evening’s World of Westgate 200 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. He was only 0.005 seconds shy of the qualifying record.
Stewart Friesen will start to his outside in the second position. Grant Enfinger, Chris Eggleston and Riley Herbst rounds out the top five. The other drivers to make the final round of qualifying include Johnny Sauter, Brandon Jones, John Hunter Nemechek, Brett Moffit, Todd Gilliland, Tanner Thorson and Justin Haley. All drivers will start in that respective order.
“We were fast there earlier on in the spring with my Safelite AutoGlass Toyota Tundra,” stated Gragson as he reflected on his race earlier this year. “We restarted the final restart in second place, but the left-rear tire was chorded, so we didn’t get the result that we showed all throughout the race, but we ran in the top three the whole time. It’s another opportunity to chase a checkered flag.”
Gragson was fastest in the first round of qualifying at his hometrack, with Stewart Friesen and Kyle Busch Motorsports teammate Brandon Jones rounding out the top three starting positions. Gragson was fifth fastest in final practice, but only 16th during first practice; however, he set the fastest 10 consecutive lap average over Matt Crafton. All four KBM trucks made the final round of qualifying.
Two playoff contenders did not make the second round of qualifying. Ben Rhodes was only able to place himself in the 18th starting position in his No. 41 The Carolina Nut Co. Ford. The other was Matt Crafton, who starts 30th with an unusual qualifying run, and puts him in an uphill battle being one of the playoff contenders. Earlier in the day, the No. 88 Ideal Door / Menards Ford was fourth and third fastest in both practices respectively.
Some trucks were required to qualify on speed, but the unfortunate three that did not make the field included Tate Fogleman, JJ Yeley and Norm Benning.
Tune into the only September Truck race of 2018 by listening live on radio with MRN (Motor Racing Network) or watch on television with FS1 later this evening at 9:00pm ET.
Time Trial Results Las Vegas Motor Speedway 22nd Annual World of Westgate 200 Qualifying Round: 2
Toyota Racing – Noah Gragson
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS)
Las Vegas Motor Speedway – September 14, 2018
Kyle Busch Motorsports driver Noah Gragson was made available to the media at Las Vegas Motor Speedway:
NOAH GRAGSON, No. 18 Safelite Auto Glass Toyota Tundra, Kyle Busch Motorsports
Is there more pressure in the playoffs?
“I think there is more pressure on the table. There’s a lot more hype going into the race and a lot more heat on the playoff drivers. We have to keep on doing what we need to be doing. We have to stay close to the people who surround myself. It’s not too bad. This race is a little bit different for me because it’s my hometown. I have been here out here all week. I have those butterflies of having a lot of family and friends here. With the playoffs, this first round I think you’ll have butterflies because it’s so tricky. You have the road course and Talladega, so very diverse and unique tracks. Anything can really happen. You want to put yourself in the best situation as possible and make the most of the opportunities.”
What types of risk do you run into in the playoffs?
“There’s a lot of risk and reward in the playoffs. It’s a double edge sword sometimes. In Canada, I felt like there was an opportunity to be able to be locked into the next round. I took a split second decision and made a move that ended up not working out but I made that move several times throughout the race earlier in the event. It wasn’t anything that I did differently. It was just circumstances in that last corner. There’s nothing better than something guaranteed. Guaranteed to be locked into the next round of the playoffs to run for a championship – I felt like that reward was greater than the risk. We had won stage points and to come from back of the pack and to driver my way to the front. We got lucky with a caution and it was well worth the risk to do it. Probably would have done something differently next time but it is what it is. Can’t go back now. Have to keep on working hard and moving forward and try to win more races.”
How do you think restarts will be this weekend?
“I am okay whether they get strung out or if it’s packed up. It was fine with me during the spring race how the race went on where you could throw a blanket over the top-six or seven. I remember about Lap 5 or 6, I was going through Turn 1 and 2, and there was seven or eight of us. I thought this is an awesome race for the fans. These guys have to pumped up watching it. If it gets strung out, I am good with that. We have our own challenges right now we faced yesterday in practice. We have to overcome those first.”
Would you guys want to see more dirt races going forward?
“I enjoy racing every weekend. But I would probably rather take a scooter to the ankle than race on dirt just because it’s so challenging for me. I am not very good at it. I enjoy racing anywhere but that’s probably the most frustrating thing is racing on dirt. It’s not that I don’t like it. You have 31 other race car drivers out there and everyone is fired up to go win. And you’re spinning the tires and your competitive side takes over. It’s really challenging just because you’re so competitive as a driver that when you’re not running good, it’s not as fun. But making practice laps, is a blast. I love it. The racing side is really challenging. We as race car drivers like challenges but it’s pretty hard.”
Is Eldora getting too challenging to race?
“You don’t need to change anything because the fans love it. That’s the whole point of this for the fans. That is the one race I tune into every year that I actually watch the whole entire race. I’ve watched every single race since the start of it because it’s something different, and we don’t need it every weekend. I don’t think we need to change anything because when the trucks don’t drive well, it puts on a fun race to watch. I don’t think you need to change anything. It makes it harder for us drivers but it’s what we’re here for.”
The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will be in action at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The Monster Energy Series begins its first round of playoffs, while the Camping World Truck Series has its second race of the Round of 8 and the Xfinity Series sets its playoff field. Check out the full schedule below, which is subject to change.
Note: All times are ET
THURSDAY, Sept. 13 5:05-5:55 p.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series first practice (Results)
7:05-7:55 p.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series final practice (Results)
FRIDAY, Sept. 14 2:05-2:55 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series first practice, NBCSN/NBC Sports App (Follow live)
3:05-3:55 p.m.: NASCAR Xfinity Series first practice, NBCSN/NBC Sports App (Follow live)
5:05-5:50 p.m.: NASCAR Xfinity Series final practice, NBCSN/NBC Sports App (Follow live)
6:05 p.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series qualifying, FS1 (Follow live)
7:30 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Busch Pole Qualifying, NBCSN/NBC Sports App (Follow live)
9 p.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series World of Westgate 200 (134 laps, 201 miles; FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) (Follow live)
PRESS PASS (Watch live)
1:15 p.m.: Justin Allgaier, Ross Chastain and Austin Cindric
1:30 p.m.: Noah Gragson, Justin Haley and Ben Rhodes
8:15 p.m.: Post-Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series qualifying
10:45 p.m.: Post-NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race
SATURDAY, Sept. 15 1-1:50 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series practice, NBCSN/NBC Sports App (Follow live)
2:10 p.m.: NASCAR Xfinity Series qualifying, NBCSN/NBC Sports App (Follow live)
3:30-4:20 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series final practice, NBCSN/NBC Sports App (Follow live)
5 p.m.: NASCAR Xfinity Series DC Solar 300 (200 laps, 300 miles; NBCSN/NBC Sports App, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) (Follow live)
PRESS PASS (Watch live)
7:15 p.m.: Post-NASCAR Xfinity Series race
SUNDAY, Sept. 16 3 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series SouthPoint 400 (267 laps, 400.5 miles; NBCSN/NBC Sports App, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Follow live)
TRACKSIDE LIVE 11:30 a.m.: Watch your favorite drivers answer questions and play games
PRESS PASS (Watch live)
6 p.m.: Post-Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race
STATESVILLE, N.C. (September 13, 2018)- Heading to Las Vegas Motor Speedway (LVMS) for the second time during the 2018 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) season, Cody Coughlin is confident that his return trip to the “City of Lights” will result in another successful night of racing to add to what is already a career-best NCWTS season.
After qualifying in the top-15 at LVMS earlier in the spring, Coughlin raced his way into the top-three running order and remained in the top-five through the final portion of the race. An untimely caution during green flag pit stops however thwarted his strategy, but Coughlin was able to power his way back to the front, capturing an eighth-place finish. Aside from the event in March, Coughlin has two other NCWTS starts at the 1.5-mile oval which include qualifying efforts within the top-15 for both races, as well as a sixth-place finish last fall.
“We were running in the top-three for a good portion of the night earlier this year at Las Vegas (Motor Speedway). A pit stop issue got us shuffled back at the end of the race, but we still got a top-10 finish out of it even though we were a top-five truck. Hopefully when we unload, we’ll have the same speed and will be competing up front again.”
Confident in the Chevy Silverado that his team has prepared for him for this weekend’s race, Coughlin’s No. 2 will unload at LVMS with a new look. Coughlin will proudly climb behind the wheel of his Chevy, wrapped in the movie poster for God Bless the Broken Road, which opened in theaters last Friday, September 7th. Making a featured cameo in the movie, Coughlin starred alongside stars such as Jordin Sparks, Lindsey Pulsipher, Andrew Walker, LaDanian “LT” Tomlinson and others. Combining faith and stock car racing, God Bless the Broken Road shows strong support to those serving in the military and what they and their families endure, with a portion of the movie profits being donated to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV).
Co-director Edgar Stoble and producer Andy Fraser from God Bless the Broken Road were both fortunate and kind enough to be able to attend races during the 2018 NCWTS season in support of Coughlin’s racing, as well as be able to spread the word about the movie and great causes they are associated with.
Earlier this year, Coughlin was named an ambassador of DAV, a nonprofit organization that provides support for America’s ill and injured veterans. Privileged to be named a DAV ambassador and to be a part of such an honorable cause, Coughlin’s support of the charity includes the #BlessAVet campaign, an initiative created by DAV in conjunction with Fandango.
Also featured on Coughlin’s No. 2 Silverado this weekend at LVMS is the #BlessAVet campaign. With this project, people can send a veteran to dinner with a $25 Restaurant.com gift card as well as a movie ticket to see God Bless the Broken Road while it is in theaters.
“It’s a special weekend in general for us having the movie God Bless the Broken Road displayed on the No. 2 Chevy. It’s a movie with a good storyline that I also make a little cameo in. It came out in theaters September 7th and I really hope that everyone has a chance to see it and enjoys it as much as I enjoyed being a part of it.”
Tune into the World of Westgate 200 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Friday, September 14th at 9:00 p.m. ET on FS1 to see Coughlin’s No. 2 God Bless the Broken Road Chevy on-track, or you can listen along to the race broadcast on either the Motor Racing Network (MRN) or SiriusXM.
ABOUT CODY COUGHLIN:
To keep up-to-date with the latest news, information and exclusive content, visit Cody Coughlin on his personal Twitter and Instagram page – @Cody_Coughlin, and on the official Facebook page at /CodyCoughlin2/. For more information on Cody Coughlin, visit CodyCoughlin.com. Also, follow Team JEGS’ Twitter page – @TeamJEGS, and on Instagram at @team_jegs. You can also “like” Team JEGS on the official Facebook page at /TeamJEGS/.
World of Westgate 200 | Las Vegas Motor Speedway Race Advance
Team: No. 38 Niece Equipment Chevrolet Silverado
Driver: TJ Bell
Follow the Team: @NieceMotorsport; @TJBell_Racing
Bell on Racing at Las Vegas: “I’ve been looking forward to this race for a long time now,” said Bell. “It’s always fun to get behind the wheel of one of these trucks, and it’s even more special when it’s in front of the home crowd. I think Niece Motorsports has shown that it’s definitely upped its performance this season, and their alliance with GMS Racing is paying dividends. I’m excited to get back on track this week, and am really confident that we can put together a strong run.”
Bell at Las Vegas: Bell has six NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, his most recent coming last season with Niece Motorsports.
Bell also has one NASCAR XFINITY Series start at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, coming in 2012.
About Niece Motorsports: Niece Motorsports is owned by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. In 2018, Niece Motorsports enters its second full season in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, fielding two full-time teams with Austin Wayne Self and Justin Fontaine. Niece also owns Niece Equipment, which has for over 30 years provided clients with reliable products at competitive prices. Niece Equipment’s reputation is built on service, integrity and dependability. The company provides water and fuel/lube trucks that are engineered with quality and durability in mind for the construction and mining industry. Follow the team on Facebook and Instagram @NieceMotorsports as well as twitter @NieceMotorsport.
World of Westgate 200 | Las Vegas Motor Speedway Race Advance
Team: No. 45 ProMATIC Automation | Superior Essex Chevrolet Silverado
Driver: Justin Fontaine
Follow the Team: @NieceMotorsport; @driverfontaine
Fontaine on Racing at Las Vegas: “I’ve been getting excited about going back to Las Vegas now for the past couple of weeks,” said Fontaine. “It was a track I really adapted to and I think a lot of that was the support from my Niece Motorsports team and the good No. 45 ProMATIC Automation Chevrolet truck they brought me.
“It was also a huge learning experience for me. I’m still learning a lot with these trucks. I learned a lot about the draft, handling and even saving fuel. With more experience and laps under my belt, I’m hoping that all that knowledge will put us in a position to have an even better race than we did in March.”
Fontaine at Las Vegas: Fontaine heads back to Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the second time this season. Earlier this year in just the third race of the 2018 season, Fontaine earned his career-best finish to date; a ninth-place result.
Recapping Canadian Tire Motorsport Park: Fontaine earned an 18th-place finish in his road course debut at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.
“My first road course race ever was certainly a learning experience, but my Niece Motorsports team never gave up on me and we were able to bring home a solid finish with our No. 45 ProMATIC Automation | Superior Essex Chevrolet Silverado,” said Fontaine.
“I learned a lot about truck control, braking points, rhythm and so much more from practice to qualifying and then the race. That allowed us to have a trouble-free race and bring home a top-20 lead lap finish.
“All things considered, it was mission accomplished.”
On the Truck: Fontaine’s No. 45 Chevrolet will carry the ProMATIC Automation, Inc. colors in this week’s race. ProMATIC Automation, Inc. specializes in the design and build of custom factory automation equipment.
ProMATIC Automation, Inc. has extensive experience in the integration of high-level automation technologies like robotics, laser, vision, and dispensing systems along with many years of combined experience in the design and machining of custom manufactured components.
About Niece Motorsports: Niece Motorsports is owned by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. In 2018, Niece Motorsports enters its second full season in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, fielding two full-time teams with Austin Wayne Self and Justin Fontaine. Niece also owns Niece Equipment, which has for over 30 years provided clients with reliable products at competitive prices. Niece Equipment’s reputation is built on service, integrity and dependability. The company provides water and fuel/lube trucks that are engineered with quality and durability in mind for the construction and mining industry. Follow the team on Facebook and Instagram @NieceMotorsports as well as twitter @NieceMotorsport.
World of Westgate 200 | Las Vegas Motor Speedway Race Advance
Team: No. 22 GO TEXAN | AM Technical Solutions Chevrolet Silverado
Driver: Austin Wayne Self
Follow the Team: @NieceMotorsport; @AustinWSelf
Self on Racing at Las Vegas: “It felt nice to have a break – but I’ve been itching to get back in the truck,” said Self. “Going back to Las Vegas this weekend, I think we can capitalize on the strength of our intermediate speed from the summer and bring home a top-10 finish.
“The race in the spring was a lot of fun. It was chaotic because there was so much drafting which led to a lot of passing – but that made it entertaining for the fans. I really expect the same on Friday night. It’s going to be a little warmer this week than it was in March, but since the race is at night, I think you’ll still have much of the same scenarios.”
Self at Las Vegas: Self will make his fourth NASCAR Camping World Truck Series start at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Friday night. In his previous three starts, Self’s best finish is 16th, coming earlier this season.
Recapping Canadian Tire Motorsport Park: Self and the No. 22 used solid strategy to work toward the front of the field at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. Unfortunately, contact towards the end of the race left Self with a 21st-place finish.
“It’s so frustrating to leave Canada with a 21st place finish,” said Self.
“We had some struggles throughout the weekend with our No. 22 GO TEXAN | AM Technical Solutions | Superior Essex Chevrolet – but we had some great gains during the first two stages and even utilized some strategy to get up near the front, but then we got in a wreck.
“We fixed the truck and were climbing back through the field again and then chaos erupted on the last lap and we lost all the track position we had gained. It’s disappointing because everyone on this Niece Motorsports team deserved a top-10 finish or better.
“All we can do now is pick up the pieces, refocus and prepare for Las Vegas.”
On The Truck: The Texas Department of Agriculture’s GO TEXAN program and AM Technical Solutions will support Self.
GO TEXAN represents Texas agri-business on state, national and international levels by building recognition with the GO TEXAN mark.
Along with its signature mark in the shape of Texas, GO TEXAN celebrates, promotes and supports the business savvy and plainspoken grit Texas agriculture is known throughout the world.
About Niece Motorsports: Niece Motorsports is owned by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. In 2018, Niece Motorsports enters its second full season in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, fielding two full-time teams with Austin Wayne Self and Justin Fontaine. Niece also owns Niece Equipment, which has for over 30 years provided clients with reliable products at competitive prices. Niece Equipment’s reputation is built on service, integrity and dependability. The company provides water and fuel/lube trucks that are engineered with quality and durability in mind for the construction and mining industry. Follow the team on Facebook and Instagram @NieceMotorsports as well as twitter @NieceMotorsport.
Cody Coughlin, No. 2 God Bless the Broken Road Chevrolet Silverado
Las Vegas Stats
3 starts, 2 top-10s
Season Stats
17 starts, 6 top-10, 11 top-15s
Notes:
– Coughlin and the No. 2 team will unload chassis no. 307 for this weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (LVMS). This will be the fifth time Coughlin has raced this chassis in 2018, collecting two top-10 finishes, including an eighth-place finish at LVMS earlier this season.
– Sporting a new look this weekend at LVMS, the No. 2 Chevrolet Silverado will commemorate God Bless the Broken Road debuting in movie theatres this past Friday, September 7th. Coughlin’s truck will display the God Bless the Broken Road movie poster, as well as DAV and their cause #BlessAVet. Coughlin has the honor and privilege of serving as a DAV ambassador as well as having a cameo in God Bless the Broken Road.
– After two weeks off, Coughlin’s top-15 finish in Canada moved him to 11th in the 2018 NCWTS driver point standings.
Quote:
“We were running in the top-three for a good portion of the night earlier this year at Las Vegas (Motor Speedway). A pit stop issue got us shuffled back at the end of the race, but we still got a top-10 finish out of it even though we were a top-five truck. Hopefully when we unload, we’ll have the same speed and will be competing up front again.
“It’s a special weekend in general for us having the movie God Bless the Broken Road displayed on the No. 2 Chevy. It’s a movie with a good storyline that I also make a little cameo in. It came out in theaters September 7th and I really hope that everyone has a chance to see it and enjoys it as much as I enjoyed being a part of it.”
Johnny Sauter, No. 21 Allegiant Chevrolet Silverado
Las Vegas Stats
10 starts, 1 win, 5 top-five, 7 top-10s
2018 Season Stats
17 starts, 5 wins, 12 top-fives, 14 top-10s
Notes:
– Sauter will run GMS chassis no. 304 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. This chassis was debuted last fall at ISM Raceway (Phoenix) where Sauter earned his fourth win of the 2017 season. This season, the No. 21 team has utilized chassis no. 304 four times, earning one win (Dover), three top-five and four top-10 finishes.
– One race into the 2018 NCWTS Playoffs, Sauter leads the driver point standings by six points.
Quotes:
“It’s interesting to see how you start the season, then migrate one way or another on setups and then find yourself migrating back to that form that you started off with. That’s where we’re at with the No. 21, and I think it showed in Bristol that it doesn’t hurt to go back to what works.
“I felt like we had a great shot at winning Vegas earlier this season. We spent most of the race maybe a little too loose and got it back toward the end of the race. We didn’t have quite enough to get by Kyle (Busch) there at the end, but I felt like if we had a couple more laps his stuff was, in my opinion, going away a little bit and we were getting better.”
Justin Haley, No. 24 Fraternal Order of Eagles Chevrolet Silverado
Las Vegas Stats
2 starts, Best Finish: 21st (2017)
Season Stats
17 starts, 2 wins, 6 top-fives, 13 top-10s
Notes:
– The No. 24 team will bring chassis no. 305 to LVMS for Friday’s race. Running it five previous times during the 2018 season, including most recently at Michigan, Haley has one top-five and three top-10 finishes with this specific chassis.
– Kicking off The Playoffs by winning the first race of the Round of 8 at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park, Haley became the only driver automatically locked into the next round so far, continuing his run for a NCWTS championship. His win also propelled him to fourth in the 2018 driver point standings with 14 Playoff points to his name so far.
Quote:
“We started off the 2018 season strong with good finishes at Daytona (International Speedway) and Atlanta (Motor Speedway), but we kind of struggled when we got to Vegas. We were only about a top-10 truck. We played pit strategy towards the end, got a good restart, got to the top-three and were really racey before we got involved in an incident. I think we’ve always been okay at Vegas, but hopefully we can build to be better this time around. We’re taking one of our better chassis there which should help too. But after winning Canada, this weekend we’ll have a much easier mentality on how to handle whatever happens.”
Timothy Peters, No. 25 Kingman Chevrolet Silverado
Las Vegas Stats
10 starts, 1 win, 5 top-five, 7 top-10s, 1 pole
2018 Season Stats
2 starts, 1 top-five, 2 top-10s
Notes:
– The No. 25 team will utilize GMS chassis no. 308 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. This is the third outing for this chassis in 2018, with the two previous starts coming at Iowa Speedway (start: 10th, finish: 19th), and Pocono Raceway (start: 4th, finish: 3rd).
– This is Peters’ second race with GMS Racing. The Danville, Va.,-native first climbed behind the wheel of the No. 25 at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park where he earned a track-best finish of fourth after starting from the fifth position.
Quote:
“I’m so thankful for the opportunities Mike Beam, Maury Gallagher and everyone at GMS Racing have given me these last few weeks. I’m excited for another shot with Jerry (Baxter) and the No. 25 team. We had a great run in Canada and it was a lot of fun to get back behind the wheel in the Truck Series and run as well as we did. I know GMS is pretty strong at mile-and-a-half tracks and they ran well there earlier this year. I expect that we’ll be up front this weekend and hopefully I can bring home another solid finish for the team.”
ABOUT GMS RACING
GMS Racing competes full-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series with drivers Cody Coughlin, Johnny Sauter, and Justin Haley, and in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Since the team’s start in 2014, GMS Racing has grown to occupy several buildings located in Statesville, N.C. The campus also includes operations for GMS Fabrication.
SOCIAL MEDIA
To keep up-to-date with the latest news, information and exclusive content, follow GMS Racing on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
