Grant Enfinger clinched his second consecutive NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series playoff victory Saturday in the Baptist Health 200 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. This win, which followed a daring call from the pit box, denied his playoff competitors an automatic berth to the championship finale at Phoenix, turning next week’s race at Martinsville into a must-win scenario for some. Grant held nothing back in his pursuit of victory, something his crew chief, Jeff Stankiewicz, wasn’t too happy about.

Despite his ticket to Phoenix being punched in following back-to-back playoff wins, Enfinger has not had the greatest season in 2024. He managed just three top-10 finishes in the first 10 races, which put him in a spot of bother. Since then, it has been consistent racing from the 2019 regular season champion. Enfinger secured eight top-10 finishes in his next 11 races and now is one win in Phoenix away from his first championship.

A terrible start that turned out great

The race wasn’t smooth sailing from the start, as Grant Enfinger’s No. 9 CR7 Motorsports Chevrolet took damage during an early restart. But rather than falter, the team regrouped, choosing to take an unconventional pit stop on Lap 80. Most of the leaders at the time opted to pit later on Lap 100, but his crew chief, Jeff Stankiewicz, saw an opportunity to gain an advantage with fuel strategy. This decision, coupled with Enfinger’s disciplined fuel management, ultimately propelled him ahead of his competitors towards the end of the race. “Our car was really fast after about five laps yesterday [in practice] and was the same way today,” said Enfinger, reflecting on the team’s performance. “Jeff did a good job managing me with the tires and then managing me with the fuel.”

With 22 laps remaining, Enfinger took the lead for good, widening his gap with each lap as drivers on similar strategies, like Layne Riggs and Nick Sanchez, struggled to make it to the finish. As his closest rivals started losing fuel, Enfinger was coasting across the track as he had just enough in the tank for a victory burnout, celebrating his 12th career Truck Series win with a dominant 17.5-second lead over ThorSport Racing’s Ty Majeski.

As Grant Enfinger stood in the spotlight post-race, he shared a revealing detail about his playoff ambitions—particularly his thoughts on moving to Phoenix with just one superspeedway win in his pocket. While his crew chief, Jeff Stankiewicz, felt a “mental block” about advancing on just one win, Enfinger himself was unfazed by the notion. “Jeff had a little mental block… I didn’t care,” he said candidly. “But this one definitely gives us more momentum and, honestly, more confidence from an entire team standpoint.”

Enfinger is full of confidence heading to Phoenix

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The Homestead win wasn’t just about Phoenix preparation, though. For Grant Enfinger, it signified a team-wide boost in morale and a validation of all the hard work his crew has put in this season. “I feel like as an entire group we’ve executed well,” he continued, praising the coordination and commitment displayed by his CR7 Motorsports team. Enfinger noted that, as they refined their strategy throughout the year, each person stepped up, contributing to the recent wave of success. “Here toward the middle part of the season, the last couple races, obviously we have done our job,” he said with satisfaction.

Enfinger’s back-to-back wins have fueled his confidence heading into Phoenix, where he’ll carry the momentum of what he believes to be the “fastest truck” on the track. His success at Homestead confirmed his belief in his team’s capabilities, providing him with extra assurance that they’re not only prepared but poised to take on Phoenix’s challenges. “As a driver, that gives you all the confidence. You know, you guys can build the fastest truck out there. It just gives us more confidence going to Phoenix,” he stated, his determination evident.

Enfinger’s focus on teamwork extended to the crew at the Champion Power Group and MHR, whom he thanked for their dedication. He also credited everyone working behind the scenes for their consistency at making sure his truck was the fastest on the track. “Jeff did a phenomenal job. Jerry Painter, everybody at the Fab Shop… everybody’s worked together and helped us as a group, and it’s just pretty special,” he reflected.

While Enfinger and CR7 Motorsports head to Phoenix riding a wave of victories, the stakes remain high for the rest of the field. With one more race before the championship finale, Martinsville will be a critical battleground for those hoping to secure their spots. But Enfinger is content to enter the last stretch with his recent success, a reinforced team spirit, and the unwavering belief that they have everything it takes to finish the season strong. Do you think Enfinger will go all the way?