USA Today via Reuters
Sep 6, 2020; Darlington, South Carolina, USA; NASCAR Truck Series driver Brett Moffitt (23) races Sheldon Creed (2) and Austin Hill (16) during the South Carolina Education Lottery 200 at Darlington Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Sep 6, 2020; Darlington, South Carolina, USA; NASCAR Truck Series driver Brett Moffitt (23) races Sheldon Creed (2) and Austin Hill (16) during the South Carolina Education Lottery 200 at Darlington Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
The NASCAR Truck Series Round of 8 opener on Saturday saw Brett Moffitt earn his first victory of 2020 in the Clean Harbors 200 at the Kansas Speedway. While this victory came after 20 races into the season, it was all worth it. It has officially landed Moffitt in the championship race at the Phoenix Raceway.
“Thanks to everyone at GMS and the Gallagher family,” he said. “It’s pretty incredible, such a way to turn the season around for our 23 team,” Moffitt further added.
USA Today via Reuters
Sep 6, 2020; Darlington, South Carolina, USA; NASCAR Truck Series driver Sheldon Creed (2) and Sheldon Creed (2) race with Zane Smith (21), Austin Hill (16) and Ben Rhodes (99) during the South Carolina Education Lottery 200 at Darlington Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
The race went into overtime and Moffitt held his Chevrolet teammate, Sheldon Creed, off by a mere .111-seconds for the win. He initially solidified the lead after taking on Zane Smith, another teammate, on Lap 132 of the 134-lap race.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The two drivers actually made contact, almost side-by-side, and Smith got dragged out, finishing 11th with seven laps of overtime.
On what happened with the teammates in overtime, Moffitt said, “I’ve got to apologize to the 21(Smith) there for trying to block him. But we were racing hard for a championship spot and that’s what you got to do.
“A bad block by me, it’s my fault … we’re racing for everything right now, I apologize to Zane,” he concluded.
With the victory, Moffitt earned a shot at a second title in the final at Phoenix.
NASCAR Truck Series Round of 8 as it stands
Creed’s runner-up finish ensured him a 7 point lead over the regular-season Champion, Austin Hill. Meanwhile, Hill recovered from a mid-race setback to finish in third. Following him in fourth and fifth were Grant Enfinger and Chandler Smith, respectively.
Creed and Hill occupy the second and third spots on the championship standings, respectively. Seemingly the likes of Grant Enfinger, Matt Crafton, Ben Rhodes, and Tyler Ankrum have work to do.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Rookie Christian Eckes, Timothy Peters, and current series champion Matt Crafton make the Top-8. Adding to that, Derek Kraus and Trevor Bayne, who round off the Top-10.
Truck points with two races (Texas, Martinsville) left in round: Moffitt-in, Creed +26, AHill +19, ZSmith +7, Enfinger -7, Crafton -15, Rhodes -33, Ankrum -56 #nascar pic.twitter.com/1EnHeha661
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) October 17, 2020
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
While Brett Moffitt has sealed his berth, any playoff driver who wins one of the remaining two races will progress to the championship race. And one position will go to the driver with the highest points tally past the October 30th race at Martinsville.
READ MORE- Hailie Deegan Sets Impressive Record in Her First Start in NASCAR Truck Series at Kansas Speedway
