NASCAR Gander RV and Outdoors Truck Review: World of Westgate 200




This past Friday night, the NASCAR Gander RV and Outdoors Truck Series playoffs continued at Las Vegas. This race was a story of domination throughout the majority of the race.  There was not much action on track, overall.  The playoff drama was still present, however, as every driver tried to get as many points as possible before the cutoff race at Talladega.

The race started with the unfortunate news that Natalie Decker was not medically cleared to compete.  No update on her condition or future was offered at the time it was first reported. The first two stages of the race were uneventful.  Sheldon Creed took the lead from his GMS teammate, Brett Moffitt, on lap 2 and never gave it up again for the remainder of the stages.  There were no cautions for incident throughout the first two stages.  Creed was able to get the win in Stage 1 with Moffitt, Kraus, Enfinger, Z. Smith, Rhodes, Eckes, Gray, Crafton, and C. Smith all earning stage points behind him.  Creed was able to continue this dominance in Stage 2.  He led every lap of Stage 2 getting yet another playoff point to add to his total.  Z. Smith, Moffitt, Kraus, Rhodes, Sauter, Eckes, Crafton, Hill, and Gray followed Creed to earn stage points in Stage 2. 

The final stage here in Las Vegas under the lights appeared to be the same as the first two.  However, a spin by Ben Rhodes on lap 85 would prove otherwise.  Rhodes made some contact with fellow playoff competitor, Todd Gilliland.  This contact sent Rhodes up a couple lanes where Stewart Friesen, trying to get by the incident, get Rhodes around with the air off his truck.  This shook up the field and allowed Austin Hill to take over the lead.  Sheldon Creed attempted to track down Hill but ultimately did not have enough time to do so.  Austin Hill would pick up the win over Creed securing his spot into the Round of 8.  Following Austin Hill in the top 10 would be Creed, Gray, Friesen, C. Smith, Enfinger, Z. Smith, Eckes, Crafton, and Ankrum.  Todd Gilliland (13th), Brett Moffitt (15th), and Ben Rhodes (23rd) were the only playoff drivers to finish outside of the top 10.  After Vegas the playoff standings shape up like this:

1. Austin Hill - Advanced

2. Sheldon Creed - +52 Points

3. Brett Moffitt - +44 Points

4. Zane Smith - +39 Points

5. Grant Enginger - +31 Points

6. Tyler Ankrum - +15 Points

7. Matt Crafton - +15 Points

8. Christian Eckes - +6 Points

9. Ben Rhodes - -6 Points

10. Todd Gilliland - -19 Points

There are certain drivers that look like they have a solid spot locked up for the Round of 8.  However, Talladega has proven to be a wild card in the past.  Given the fact that it's a cutoff race, that makes it even more so.  Austin Hill is the only driver that can truly rest easy.  This week's race at Talladega should prove to be a fun one.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Speedway Motorsports to Purchase Dover Motorsports

Image
Become a Patron! Speedway Motorsports Inc. (SMI) has agreed to purchase the parent company of the Dover and Nashville Speedways, Dover Motorsports.  Additional report from Pockrass indicated that Speedway Motorsports would spend $3.61 per share totaling over $130 million. Dover Motorsports does post their profits and other financial data to the public each quarter, so it could be expected that this information will be confirmed by the end of the year.  A comment from  Said McGlynn, President and CEO of Dover Motorsports indicated a bittersweet moment for the brand. “While this marks the end of our 52 years as an independent operator in NASCAR, our future advancement is best secured by joining forces with a major player in the sport, and we are happy to be able to become part of the Speedway Motorsports family and to be able to work with Marcus Smith as NASCAR embraces its future.” According to a press release from SMI, "Raymond James & Associates, Inc. is acting as fi...
Read more

Letter From The Editor - ''My Personal Story, and Racing Refresh's Commitment to Motorsports Diversity."

Image
I have been a true student of motorsports since year 2000 when my uncle moved to Columbus, OH and introduced me to Big and Little E . Prior to my pursuit of racing knowledge, I have distinct memories of watching Dennis Anderson's monstrous Grave Digger, or King Kenny Bernstein's iconic Budweiser livery win countless races. I remember the rainbow assortment of Pontiac Trans-Ams race in the prestigious IROC events. I sat in amazement as the greatest racer that ever lived, Michael Schumacher won what felt like every start of his career. I always enjoyed motorsports, but it was the off-season of 2000-01 that made me crave and live for more each day.  My uncle had diecast cars that sat on shelves, each with their own story. While they were a wonderful collection, I think I assumed price tags in the millions of dollars as a child. Earnhardt's K2 , old Chevy hot rods, Busch Series this, Winston Cup Series that, he had a wonderful collection. There was one driver he highlighted to ...
Read more

30 Second Read: Explore the Pocono Mountains 350

Image
                              (Kyle Busch celebrates in Victory Lane at Pocono Raceway)       https://twitter.com/ToyotaRacing/status/1409284775983132674?s=20 Kyle Busch and the number 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota found there way to victory lane for his second win of the year, but not without good strategy and a lot of luck. Fuel mileage would make all the difference in race two of the Pocono doubleheader. As per the rules of the doubleheader weekend, the top 20 finishers of race one started inverted which put Michael McDowell and Chris Buescher on the front row for the start of the race.  Stage one though saw early troubles for McDowell's teammate Anthony Alfredo, as he had a tire go down and would hit the wall bringing out the first caution of the day on lap two. Martin Truex Jr would go on to win the first stage as William Byron would race his way back on to the lead lap by beating Truex...
Read more