BROOKLYN, Mich. (Aug. 27, 2016) – The Careers for Veterans 200 at Michigan International Speedway on Saturday featured a last-lap pass that led to a Brett Moffitt victory.
Moffitt went three wide with Timothy Peters and William Byron into Turn 1 on the last lap in order to capture the top spot and his first ever win in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Moffitt had only competed in six career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races before earning his first win. Peters and Byron had been in or near the top five for most of the race until Moffitt made his way towards the front after the sixth caution of the race.
“Honestly, I was just hoping to hold onto third there for a while,” Moffitt said. “I didn’t really think it was going to be our day to win. I knew we were going to be competitive and when the nine (William Byron) got to the inside of him, I knew it would slow them both down and I thought this couldn’t be any more perfect. Barely got to the inside of him going into (turn) one and from then on I was just hoping and praying that it was enough to hold him off down the backstretch.”
The race saw a solid performance by the Red Horse Racing Toyota Team with Moffitt finishing first and Peters finishing second. Daniel Hemric rounded out the top three.
The race featured multiple lead changes and plenty of tight racing in the corners.
Matt Crafton started the race second and found himself in the top five for the first half of the race while Peters was a mainstay at the top throughout the day. In total, Peters led 42 laps and Crafton led 23 laps while Moffitt only led one lap, but it was the most important lap.
“It’s the only one you have to lead, that’s when the pay window is open and that’s when the checks are getting wrote,” Moffitt said.
For Moffitt, this is his third top 10 finish in 2016 and his first top 10 finish in only two career races at Michigan International Speedway. Without a doubt, this win was incredibly important for Moffitt in his young NCWTS career.
“I needed this,” Moffitt concluded. “I had no races on my schedule this year and to get picked up by Tom DeLoach and everyone at Red Horse Racing is amazing and our partners at Toyota have been really good at backing us and giving us the technology we need. This is everything I needed to have happen and it couldn’t happen at a better finish streak there – three-two-one. This is amazing.”
Nestled in the lush Irish Hills of Southeastern Michigan, Michigan International Speedway is NASCAR’s fastest track and the Great Escape, a venerable NASCAR national park where fans can get away and enjoy the very best in racing and camaraderie. It’s the love of racing and the thrill of a great time for race fans and drivers alike for nearly 50 years
