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  • Toyota NCWTS Bristol Post-Race Recap

    Toyota NCWTS Bristol Post-Race Recap

    Toyota Racing Post-Race Recap
    NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS)
    Bristol Motor Speedway
    Race 16 of 23 – 106.6 miles, 200 laps
    August 16, 2018

    TOYOTA FINISHING POSITIONS
    1st, Johnny Sauter*
    2nd, Stewart Friesen*
    3rd, John Hunter Nemechek *
    4th, Parker Kligerman*
    5th, TODD GILLILAND
    9th, NOAH GRAGSON
    15th, RILEY HERBST
    18th, BRETT MOFFITT
    27th, KORBIN FORRISTER
    28th, CHRISTOPHER BELL
    31st, SCOTT LAGASSE JR.
    *non-Toyota driver

    TOYOTA DRIVER POINT STANDINGS**
    1st, Johnny Sauter*# 2042 points
    2nd, BRETT MOFFITT# 2027 points
    3rd, NOAH GRAGSON# 2022 points
    4th, Ben Rhodes*# 2014 points
    5th, Stewart Friesen*# 2012 points
    11th, TODD GILLILAND 403 points
    24th, SPENCER DAVIS 141 points
    27th, HARRISON BURTON 113 points
    29th, DAVID GILLILAND 107 points
    *non-Toyota driver
    **unofficial point standings
    #competing in 2018 Playoffs

    • Tundra driver Todd Gilliland (fifth) was the highest-finishing Toyota driver in Thursday’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) regular-season finale at Bristol Motor Speedway, while Toyota teammate Noah Gragson placed ninth.
    • After filling in for Toyota teammate Harrison Burton, who was forced to withdraw due to illness, Tundra driver Christopher Bell won the NCWTS pole and led 31 laps (of 200) in the event. Bell’s night ended early after power steering issues in the final stage.
    • Following the NCWTS regular-season finale, Toyota drivers Gragson and Brett Moffitt clinched playoff berths after earning victories this season. Moffitt kicks off the playoffs next weekend at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park as the second seed while Gragson is seeded third.

    TODD GILLILAND, No. 4 Banfield Pet Hospital Toyota Tundra, Kyle Busch Motorsports
    Finishing Position: 5th
    What happened out there tonight?
    “Spinning out – your pride is crushed there. It’s one of the worst things that could happen. Then just getting that one lap penalty really put us behind and then after that Kyle (Busch) just came on the radio and said we really needed to work the top here. We’ve watched plenty of film with him doing it, so there’s no reason that we couldn’t and luckily we were able to get around these guys fairly quick. That was a lot of fun. That was the most fun I’ve had in a truck race by far. Coming home fifth – we just need to keep clicking off these top-five finishes and we’re getting closer and closer every week.”

    NOAH GRAGSON, No. 18 Safelite AutoGlass Toyota Tundra, Kyle Busch Motorsports
    Finishing Position: 9th
    “Just need to get better here at Bristol. We’re good at every other place – it’s just the confidence for this place isn’t quite there. Used tonight kind of as a test session and we got up in the top-10. It is what it is. Ready to move on to the playoffs. Got a good seat for the playoffs in our Toyota Tundra. We’re fortunate to be out here racing in the NASCAR Truck Series. It’s definitely a privilege. Just going to learn and hopefully use this knowledge for next year and just keep on working hard.”

    What tracks do you think you’ll excel at in the playoffs?
    “I feel like we’ll be good at the road course, Canada. I feel really confident about the selection of tracks within the playoffs. You have the road course, which I feel really confident about – finished second there last year – Talladega, that’s kind of a wild card. We ran that Xfinity race with Joe Gibbs Racing earlier in the year at Talladega, so that kind of helped my confidence going into that one. We got Vegas, that’s my hometown, so that’s a really good one and then the three after that – Martinsville, Texas, Phoenix – I’m really pumped up. We sat on the pole at Texas, almost won last year and Phoenix and won last year at Martinsville. Just got to keep on working hard to get to Homestead and really excited for the tracks coming up.”

    BRETT MOFFITT, No. 16 Otics USA Inc./Toyota Tsusho Toyota Tundra, Hattori Racing Enterprises
    Finishing Position: 18th
    Talk about this race tonight and looking ahead to next weekend.
    “It was certainly frustrating. From the time we unloaded the Tundra this morning, we just didn’t have the speed we needed. Scott (Zipadelli, crew chief) and the guys did a really good job in the race to make it drivable and raceable and we got some track position on strategy and we were able to hold it. I think we could’ve came away with a top-seven or a top-five finish and we had a loose right-rear wheel, so that was poor execution on our part. Unfortunately, we’ve done that too many times this year, but we’ll shape up and we’ll move on to the playoffs. Congrats to Johnny (Sauter). Obviously he’s been really strong this year. I was happy to tie him in wins and then he went and got another, so that kind of was a bummer, but we’ll move on to the playoffs and go to Canada and try to reset and have a good start.”

    Does the mustache stay for the playoffs?
    “I don’t know. I’m pretty upset right now. I’m mad. It’s tough to put a smile on our face right now. I was actually just thinking that before we started this. I don’t know if I’m going to use this excuse or not.”

    Do you feel like the favorite going into the playoffs?
    “I don’t know. It was a frustrating night. We had a good finish salvaged there. We just struggled all week here at Bristol. We didn’t come with the right package and we struggled and it showed. We were going to I think get out of there with a top-seven or a top-five finish at the end. Our truck was decent and had a loose right-rear wheel, so that one was on us.”

    Knowing that a bad result tonight doesn’t transfer over to the playoffs, does that make you feel any better going into it next week?
    “Exactly. We don’t have any race tracks like this. I’d say Phoenix is the closest to this and there’s no banking. I think we have a lot of strong tracks coming up with Vegas and what not. Obviously I would have preferred to have those playoff points that Johnny (Sauter) just got – or preferred him to not get them, but he’s going to be in the final four no matter what at Homestead unless something really crazy happens. We just need to do our job and make it there as well and then it’s a straight up race at Homestead and hopefully fight for a championship.”

    Is the first round going to be weird with three races over seven weeks – it’ll feel like an eternity, won’t it?
    “Yeah, it does. Especially if you have a bad week at Canada coming up. It’s a road course and I’m not sure why we go to one road course a year and it’s in our playoffs. That doesn’t really make sense to me, but it is what it is. We’ll go race and try to do our best there. They’re spread out, so hopefully we get off to a good start at Canada and can breathe over those few weeks off.”

    CHRISTOPHER BELL, No. 51 Hunt Brothers Pizza Toyota Tundra, Kyle Busch Motorsports
    Finishing Position: 28th
    Walk us through your race tonight.
    “At the beginning I was good. I got out front and felt a little bit tight and then under the yellow, I turned my fans on and I just murdered our balance. We got loose and a couple guys got by me and then I never really could catch up with my track position again. We got to third and I was kind of maintaining there and I felt like my Toyota Tundra maneuvered really good. I felt like we were in a really good spot, could lap traffic and then we lost power steering.”

    Was it frustrating to start up front and finish off the lead lap?
    “Yeah, a little bit, but it was a good experience for me. We finally got the top moved up to where the grind is and man, there’s a lot of grip up there, so that was a really good experience to feel that. That’s probably where we’re going to be tomorrow.”

  • Regular Season Champion Johnny Sauter Fends off Stewart Friesen in Closing Laps at Bristol

    Regular Season Champion Johnny Sauter Fends off Stewart Friesen in Closing Laps at Bristol

    All Johnny Sauter had to do was start the UNOH 200 at Bristol Motor Speedway in order to become the regular series season champion. However, he wanted more and did more as he earned his fifth win of the season after fending off his GMS Racing ally, Stewart Friesen.

    “This is awesome,” Sauter said after the race, “the history of this place. I flew into Charlotte yesterday morning to stop by the shop real quick and then did my normal tour to Bristol. I stopped at North Wilkesboro and just walked around, and drove up through the countryside, just was like, maybe if I don’t overdrive it this year, I’ll have an opportunity to win, so just proud of everybody at GMS on this GMS fabrication. Sunseeker, ISM Connect, Allegiant Travel Chevrolet, just can’t thank everyone enough. This is so cool!”

    When the UNOH 200 began, Sauter was crowned the 2018 regular series season champion. Playoff bubble driver, Grant Enfinger, clinched a Playoff spot by starting the race as well.

    Stage 1 went to lap 55.

    Only two incidents took place during the first stage. On Lap 12, the No. 30 of Scott Lagasse Jr. spun around on the fronstretch to bring out the first caution. Then on Lap 25, the No. 04 of Cory Roper spun out after having a little bit of help in Turn 2.

    John Hunter Nemechek took the lead on Lap 32 after the restart on Lap 30. He was able to hang on and win the first stage followed by Sauter, Enfinger, Christopher Bell, Ben Rhodes, Parker Kligerman, Stewart Friesen, Ross Chastain, Noah Gragson, and Justin Haley.

    Race leader Nemechek and a couple of others stayed out to maintain their positions as leaders for the beginning of Stage 2 on Lap 66. It didn’t take long for a caution to come out, however, as Todd Gilliland spun around and had contact with Jesse Little. During that caution, the No. 52 of Friesen, clinched a spot in the Playoffs.

    With the restart on Lap 73, there were no more incidents for the rest of Stage 2 until after the checkered flag.  This saw Nemechek win Stage 2. As Nemechek took the win, Myatt Snider, who was on the outside looking in, had his night ruined, as he crashed and hit the wall on the frontstretch.

    The final stage and the race resumed with 77 to go with Sauter as the race leader.

    Sauter held on momentarily but Gragson passed him to lead for seven laps. Then, Stage 1 and 2 winner Nemechek, passed Sauter for the lead on Lap 177. During this long stretch of a green flag run, Bell lost the power steering and his night was over, finishing in the 28th position.

    With heavy lap traffic starting to come into play, Nemechek closed in on Sauter with 27  to go and Nemechek assumed the lead with 23 to go. Sauter and Friesen battled with each other side-by-side with 10 laps to go, allowing Nemechek to pull away.

    Unfortunately, something happened to the No. 8 of Nemechek and he slipped back to third, with Sauter taking the lead and Friesen close behind him. Sauter was able to breathe easy as he held off his GMS ally for his fifth win of the year and his first since Texas in June.

    With the race win tonight, Sauter picked up 20 points but is carrying over 42 Playoff points into the postseason.

    “Well yeah, he (Nemechek) had a problem,” Sauter said. “The 52 (Friesen) was racing me really hard there and not quite sure, can’t wait to watch that on how we got back by him. Just good hard racing, short track style. This is such a cool way to end the regular season with a win. Obviously, getting the championship in the regular season. Now hopefully this carries some momentum towards the end here. I just got too tight. I tried to get around those lap trucks running through the middle. Even in practice earlier today, I just couldn’t quite complete the corner, I couldn’t get it to cut. So, I knew the bottom was my only chance, but the lap traffic was just all over the place. Just can’t thank everybody enough. I’m so pumped right now, I’m going to let this one soak in for sure.”

    This was Sauter’s fifth win of the season. Sauter led three times for 58 laps. There were five cautions for 38 laps, along with six lead changes among four drivers.

    The Playoff card is now set with Sauter (2042 points), Brett Moffitt (2027 points), Gragson (2022 points), Rhodes (2014 points), Friesen (2012 points), Enfinger (2011 points), Haley (2009 points) and Matt Crafton (2003 points) all competing for the 2018 Truck Series championship.

     

  • Stewart Friesen Comes Up One Spot Short but is Locked into the Playoffs

    Stewart Friesen Comes Up One Spot Short but is Locked into the Playoffs

    The No. 52 of Stewart Friesen and the Halmar Racing team can breathe a little easier now knowing they have a shot to win the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship this year after finishing second in the UNOH 200 at Bristol Motor Speedway.

    After starting 13th, Friesen showed he had a fast truck early as he finished seventh in the first stage and fourth in the second stage. During the second stage under caution, he was able to clinch a Playoff spot.

    Friesen ran up front most of the night until his moment came with 10 laps to go when he and eventual race winner Johnny Sauter battled side-by-side for the race win.

    As the No. 8 of John Hunter Nemechek had issues, Sauter and Friesen drove past him in the remaining laps. Friesen gave all he could but ultimately came up .236 seconds short of getting his first career win. Nonetheless, it showed the No. 52 team had the speed and is capable of winning races in the Playoffs.

    “A couple of badass (Chevy) Silverados’ here,” Friesen said. “Beating and banging. Uncle Johnny runs me hard and that’s racing. Just good hard racing. That was a lot of fun. He rolled up into lap traffic and gave me the bottom. That was a good time. So proud of this effort, GMS fab. Wow. Our short track game has turned around big time since Martinsville at the beginning of the year. Just proud of everyone at the fab shop.”

  • Parker Kligerman Earns Top Five Finish

    Parker Kligerman Earns Top Five Finish

    It’s the little team that could in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

    Parker Kligerman and the No. 75 Henderson Motorsports team run when they can and when they do, they run up front and sometimes have a shot at the win. Bristol looked like the place where it could happen.

    With a sixth-place qualifying effort, Kligerman ran there for most of the UNOH 200 race at Bristol Motor Speedway, finishing sixth in both stages. After the first stage, he, along with race leader John Hunter Nemechek, stayed out to keep track position and to see what their tires were like on the long run.

    At the end of the day, Kligerman and the Henderson Motorsports team finished in the fourth position for his first top five of the year.

    “We had a lot of lap traffic,” Kligerman said. “This is huge for Henderson Motorsports and Country USA. This is a real local team, a local effort, they’re from Abingdon, Virginia. My crew chief, Chris Carrier is from here. I mean, this is the Super Bowl to them.

    “So, to have a good run is cool, but man, we were just too tight to battle for the front, the lead. And I gave up two positions at the end of Stage 2, and that just killed me, where I was never able to get that back. I feel like an idiot because I was trying to make the top work, but it just didn’t work. It’s so funny because I come here every time and I’m a top three truck if the top comes in, or a car, whatever I drive. But I suck on the bottom. This year, I came focused on getting better at the bottom and I was never able to run it, and the only place I could run was the bottom. So, I don’t know. I suck, I guess.”

     

  • Full race schedule for Bristol

    Full race schedule for Bristol

    Staff Report | NASCAR.com

    The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, Xfinity Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will all be at Bristol Motor Speedway for tripleheader action. Check out the full schedule below, which is subject to change.

    Note: All times are ET

    THURSDAY, AUG. 16
    9:05-9:55 a.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series first practice, FS1 (Follow live)
    10:05-10:55 a.m.: NASCAR Xfinity Series first practice, NBC Sports App (Follow live)
    11:05-11:55 a.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series final practice, FS1 (Follow live)
    1:35-2:25 p.m.: NASCAR Xfinity Series final practice, NBC Sports App (Follow live)
    4:10 p.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series pole qualifying, FS1 (Follow live)
    8:30 p.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series UHOH 200 (200 laps, 106.6 miles), FOX (Follow live)

    PRESS PASS (Watch live)
    10:30 p.m.: Post-NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race

    FRIDAY, AUG. 17
    10:35-11:55 a.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series first practice, NBCSN/NBC Sports App (Follow live)
    12:40-1:50 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series final practice, NBCSN/NBC Sports App (Follow live)
    3:40 p.m.: NASCAR Xfinity Series pole qualifying, NBCSN/ NBC Sports App (Follow live)
    5:40 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Busch Pole Qualifying, NBCSN/NBC Sports App (Follow live)
    7:30 p.m.: NASCAR Xfinity Series Food City 300 (300 laps, 159.9 miles), NBCSN/NBC Sports App (Follow live)

    PRESS PASS (Watch live)
    6:40 p.m.: Post-Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series qualifying
    9:45 p.m.: Post-NASCAR Xfinity Series race

    SATURDAY, AUG. 18
    6:46 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race (500 laps, 266.5 miles), NBCSN/NBC Sports App (Follow live)

    PRESS PASS (Watch live)
    10 p.m.: Post-Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race

    MORE: How to find NBCSN

  • NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Preview-Bristol

    NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Preview-Bristol

    “It’s the final countdown!” as the band Europe would sing.

    The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series makes their final stop at Bristol Motor Speedway before the playoffs begin next weekend at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park. While one driver will be crowned regular season champion, three other drivers currently sit on the bubble of making/not making the playoffs.

    Currently, there are 38 drivers entered on the preliminary entry list that will make up the 32 truck field Thursday night at Bristol.

    Here’s a look at what to expect and who might end up in the UNOH 200.

    1. John Hunter Nemechek – Nemechek has competed in the past four starts at Bristol. He and the No. 8 NEMCO Motorsports team have collected two top fives and four top-10 finishes. Nemechek has an average start of 12.5 and an average finish of 5.0. In the past five races, he finished third twice, eighth, and sixth. He has competed in the Truck Series event since 2014 and has completed 100 percent of the laps. Nemechek scored the victory at Martinsville this past April which is another short track, somewhat similar to Bristol. He finished 10th in Stage 2 in the 2017 race.
    2. Christopher Bell – Last year’s Truck Series champion returns to the field Thursday night at Bristol driving the No. 51 Hunt Brothers Pizza Toyota for Kyle Busch Motorsports. Bell has competed in two races at Bristol earning a seventh-place finish twice after starting fifth and second. He finished fourth and fifth respectively in both stages last year. KBM, however, has won here three times with Kyle Busch, who will not be able to compete in this year’s race due to restrictions. Harrison Burton was scheduled to drive the No. 51 but had to withdraw due to illness. Bell will fill in for Burton and will be tough to beat Thursday night at Bristol driving the famed No. 51.
    3. Johnny Sauter – Sauter will be crowned regular season champion just by starting the race. Even though he knows he’ll be the regular season champion, he’ll still be hungry for that first Bristol win. It will be his first win since Texas in June if he can pull it off. Sauter has competed in 10 races at the famous Bristol Motor Speedway. His first start came back in 2003 driving the No. 9 for Christopher Beckington but failed to finish that year due to an engine issue. However, Sauter returned to a Truck back in 2009 driving for Mike Curb until 2015. In the past two races, he has competed for GMS Racing. For Sauter, however, it’s been a mixed bag of results at the “World’s Fastest Half-Mile.” He has four top fives and six top-10 finishes, along with seven laps led and one DNF. With those stats, he has an average start of 12.4 and an average finish of 9.6. His best finish at Bristol was second back in 2011 after starting 12th. In the previous race, he finished eighth and seventh respectively in both stages.
    4. Parker Kligerman – If someone could upset this weekend, it could very well be the No. 75 Henderson Motorsports team of Parker Kligerman. Kligerman has four starts at Bristol with a best finish of second coming in 2012 for Red Horse Motorsports. In last year’s race, however, driving the No. 75, he finished eighth. During the span of his four starts, Kligerman has earned one top five and three top-10 finishes. For Charlie Henderson’s team, the No. 75 has competed at Bristol every year since 2012 with Caleb Holman as the driver until 2016. Their best finish came with Kligerman last year by finishing eighth. They currently have one win in the series which came last fall at Talladega. Their other best finish came this year at Charlotte, where he finished seventh.
    5. Ben  Rhodes – Rhodes has three starts at Thunder Valley. His best finish came last year where he finished fifth. In total, Rhodes has one top five and two top-10 finishes with one lap led. He has an average start of 7.3 and an average finish of 14.7. He finished seventh and fourth in both stages in 2017. Look for Rhodes to be up front and contend for the win.

    Playoff Bubble Drivers

    1. Grant Enfinger – Enfinger has one start which came in the 2017 race. He started seventh and finished fourth giving him his first top five at the track. If he continues to win stages or perhaps wins the race, he’ll be good to go for the Playoffs.
    2. Stewart Friesen- Like Enfinger, Friesen has been running somewhat consistently and is having his best year to date. He sits seventh in the Playoff standings with five Playoff points. He should be fine if there are no new winners. However, Friesen’s track stats don’t look all that great. He has two races, but no finishes inside the top 10. In 2017, he failed to finish due to an overheating problem and wound up 29th. In 2016, Friesen finished 16th. He can’t afford to have any of these issues during the race or he’ll be in jeopardy of missing the Playoffs.
    3. Matt Crafton – Crafton is the most experienced driver in the field. He’s competed at Bristol since 2003 and has 15 starts. During that span, he’s earned four top fives and nine top-10 finishes, along with 129 laps led and one DNF. His best finish came in 2017 and 2009, where he finished second. In 2016, he failed to finish with an engine problem. If Crafton can avoid any issues in Thursday’s night race and have no mechanical problems, he’ll also be locked in on points and be able to chase for his third championship.

    Outside Looking In

    1. Myatt Snider- Snider will be making his first ever Bristol start in the Truck Series driving the No. 13 Carolina Nut Company Ford. However, he has competed at Bristol before driving in the CARS Late Model Stock Tour Series. In fact, he won last year’s race at Bristol after starting on the pole and leading 80 laps. Snider also competed in this year’s Tour Series event at Bristol and finished third. He could very well end up in victory lane tomorrow night and solidify himself in the playoffs picture, possibly knocking out his teammate, Matt Crafton.
    2. Cody Coughlin – Coughlin has competed in one race here but did not finish in the top-10.
    3. Dalton Sargeant – It will be Sargeant’s first race back at Bristol since 2015, where he finished 10th after starting 18th. He has one NASCAR K&N Pro Series East start but finished 26th due to a crash.
    4. Todd Gilliland – Perhaps one driver who could spoil the spotlight is the No. 4 KBM driver, Todd Gilliland. He’ll be making his first Truck Series start at Bristol, but does have previous experience at the track. Gilliland has competed at Bristol in the K&N Pro Series East three times. During those three starts, he finished ninth, eighth, and won the event in 2018 after leading 64 laps.

    The Truck Series has competed at Bristol Motor Speedway since 1995. In those twenty starts, there have been 15 different race winners. Those winners include Joe Ruttman, Rick Carelli, Ron Hornaday, Jack Sprague, Travis Kvapil, Carl Edwards, Mike Skinner, Mark Martin, Johnny Benson, Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, Timothy Peters, Brad Keselowski, Ryan Blaney and Ben Kennedy.

    Of those drivers, two have been able to repeat. These include Kyle Busch and Ron Hornaday with Busch having the most wins at five, and he is also the previous race winner.

    The lowest a driver has ever started to win the race is 12th back in 2003 by Travis Kvapil. The highest a driver has ever come from to win was the pole and that has been done five times by Ron Hornaday (twice), Kyle Busch (twice) and Mark Martin.

    The field of 38 that will turn into a field of 32 will have an all-day event Thursday.

    Two practice sessions will start the day for the truckers. First practice is scheduled for 9:05 a.m. ET while final practice takes place at 11:05 a.m. ET, both on Fox Sports 1. Qualifying is slated later in the afternoon at 4:10 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1.

    Race coverage begins on FOX and MRN Radio at 8:30 p.m. ET with the approximate green flag at 8:45 p.m. ET.

     

  • Justin Fontaine – UNOH 200 Race Advance

    Justin Fontaine – UNOH 200 Race Advance

    UNOH 200 | Bristol 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 Bristol: “It’s going to be an exciting race,” said Fontaine. “You’re going to have a lot of drivers on different agendas. From those focused on making it into the Playoffs, to those who are having an opportunity to showcase their ability and for us, it’s a chance for us to get some momentum on our side – while also looking at opportunities to pull off an upset.

    “It’s Bristol. Things like that can happen. If we can’t win though, it’s important for us to get primed for a possibility to contend for our best finish together.”

    Fontaine at Bristol: Thursday night’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) race at Bristol Motor Speedway will mark Fontaine’s first start at the half-mile track.

    Recapping Michigan: Fontaine and the No. 45 team unloaded a fast Silverado at Michigan International Speedway. Unfortunately, contact with the wall halted Fontaine’s progress during the race and left the team with a 25th-place finish.

    “I want to thank Cody (Efaw, crew chief) and my entire Niece Motorsports team for bringing me an incredibly fast No. 45 Silverado.

    “We had a lot of speed and I thought we put ourselves in position to capitalize on it during Stage 2. Unfortunately, the truck just got away from me and I caught the Turn 2 wall.

    “The guys did a good job making the best repairs possible and from then on, it was just salvaging the day and making it to the checkered flag. I’m going to make it up to my guys, I promise.”

    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.

  • Austin Wayne Self – UNOH 200 Race Advance

    Austin Wayne Self – UNOH 200 Race Advance

    UNOH 200 | Bristol 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 Bristol: “I feel really good heading to Bristol,” said Self. “Over the last couple of weeks, I think everyone at the track has seen dramatic improvements from our Niece Motorsports team. And I don’t expect anything less this week at Bristol.

    “Sure, it’s a short track – but that should put us in a better position when push comes to shove on Thursday night. While it’s important for our GO TEXAN team to have speed, it’s not the crucial factor at Bristol. Instead, it’s just keeping yourself out of trouble and getting that ump you need out of the corners.

    “I feel like we’ve circled Bristol as a prime opportunity for us to compete with some of the powerhouse teams.

    “Our equipment is better than it was in February. It hasn’t come without a lot hard of work from Cody (Efaw, general manager), Artie (Haire, crew chief) and everyone on this No. 22 Niece Motorsports team.”

    Self at Bristol: Self has two prior NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) starts at Bristol Motor Speedway. His best finish of 21st came in 2016, which was his debut at the half-mile track.

    Recapping Michigan: Self and the No. 22 team earned a season-best 11th-place result last Saturday at Michigan International Speedway.

    “I’m really happy with the result in our No. 22 GO TEXAN | AM Technical Solutions Chevrolet Silverado,” said Self. “We made some good changes to get to the front and were able to grab some stage points in the process.

    “Unfortunately, we just lost the momentum during the last couple of laps to fall back to 11th and couldn’t recover in time. But, I’m proud of my Niece Motorsports team and look forward to bringing this truck back to the track soon.”

    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.

  • Ross Chastain – UNOH 200 Race Advance

    Ross Chastain – UNOH 200 Race Advance

    UNOH 200 | Bristol Motor Speedway Race Advance

    Team: No. 38 Niece Equipment Chevrolet Silverado

    Driver: Ross Chastain

    Follow the Team: @NieceMotorsport; @RossChastain

    Chastain on Racing at Bristol: “I’m excited about getting back in a Truck this week at Bristol,” said Chastain. “I’ve had the opportunity to run a few Truck races this year, which is always a good time. I’ve been to the shop with Cody and the Niece Motorsports team, and I am really looking forward to Thursday’s race. I think we will have a great chance at a strong performance.”

    Chastain at Bristol: Chastain will pull triple duty this week at Bristol Motor Speedway, racing in all three NASCAR events at the ‘World’s Fastest Half Mile’.

    Thursday night’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) race at Bristol Motor Speedway will mark Chastain’s third start in the series at the half-mile track. Chastain’s best finish of third came in 2012.

    Chastain has seven NASCAR XFINITY Series starts at Bristol Motor Speedway, with his best finish of ninth coming in this season’s spring race. Chastain also has one Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series start at Bristol, coming earlier this year.

    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.

  • Codie Rohrbaugh leaps ARCA team to prepare for Bristol Truck Series debut

    Codie Rohrbaugh leaps ARCA team to prepare for Bristol Truck Series debut

    BRISTOL, Tenn. – On the strength of three consecutive top-10 finishes in the ARCA Racing Series, veteran racer Codie Rohrbaugh and his Grant County Mulch Racing team invade the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) tour this week hoping to earn a starting berth in Thursday night’s UNOH 200 at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway.

    With veteran leadership from crew chief Mark Huff, Rohrbaugh and his family-owned team head to “Thunder Valley” looking for a clean day of activity and build a notebook in
    preparation for an expanded schedule later this season.

    “We’re very excited about Bristol this week,” said Rohrbaugh. “It’s a huge step for us to take a very low-key ARCA program and try to make one of the biggest Truck Series races of the year. But, I feel we can do it and do it well. Can’t wait to get on track Thursday.”

    Acquiring a truck from Hopkins chassis earlier this season, the team has been prepping their No. 9 Grant County Mulch Chevrolet in-between their seven races of competition in ARCA. After a slow start to the season, the team has excelled with four top-10 finishes in the last five races, including a seventh-place run in their most recent outing at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway last month.

    “The thing that I’m most proud of – is that despite being a family-owned team – we’ve been fortunate enough and blessed to have the resources to bring fast and competitive cars to the race track.

    “We could have made our Truck debut sooner –but we wanted to wait for that right opportunity – that right chance to make an impression. I think Bristol is it. I have experience there before in an K&N car and even though I’ve never raced in a truck, I’m hoping I’ll be able to get comfortable pretty quick and we can focus on qualifying and race runs.

    “We don’t have any points – so we need to make the race on speed. Once we’re in the race, we’ll regroup and look to gain a bunch of knowledge and finish the race. If we can do that, the race will be successful.”

    With at least one more ARCA Racing Series start on the agenda in October at Kansas Speedway, Rohrbaugh says his Mooresville, N.C.-based team is aiming to return to trucks for one of the three final races of the year at Texas, Phoenix or Homestead.

    “We haven’t really decided which race we’re going to tackle, yet,” added Rohrbaugh. “We’ll see how Bristol goes and then make the decision that’s not only in the best interest of our team, but our partners too. For now, Bristol here we come.”

    In 17 career ARCA starts, Rohrbaugh has a best finish of seventh at Pocono Raceway (July 2018) after starting a career-best seventh in the same event. Overall, he has six top-10 finishes during three part-time seasons of competition.

    Marketing partnership opportunities are available for the No. 7 Grant County Mulch Chevrolet for the 2018 ARCA Racing Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series seasons and beyond.

    Interested inquiries are encouraged to contact kyle@gcmulch.com.

    The UNOH 200 (200 laps | 106.6 miles) is the 16th of 23 races on the 2018 NASCAR Camping World Truck schedule. Practice begins on Thurs., Aug. 16 from 9:05 a.m. – 9:55 a.m., while final practice is set for 11:05 a.m. – 11:55 a.m. Qualifying is set for later in the day beginning at 4:10 p.m. The 32-truck field will take the green flag shortly after 8:30 p.m. with live coverage on FOX, the Motor Racing Network (Radio) and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Satellite Radio, Channel 90). All times are local (Eastern).