PHOENIX – Three drivers, all of which needed a win to clinch a spot in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Championship race at Homestead-Miami Speedway ran three-wide for the lead with just three laps to go in Friday’s Lucas Oil 150. It was Brett Moffitt, driver of the No. 16 KOBE Toyopet Toyota, who took home his fifth win of the season.
“When that caution came out, I was kind of nervous,” said Moffitt. “I didn’t know what was going to happen. Then when the 18 (Noah Gragson) took the top, I really didn’t know what was going to happen. I was just hoping the 98 (Grant Enfinger) got rolling where he didn’t stack up the inside. Fortunately he did get a good restart, and I fell down to the apron.
“Our truck was actually really good running the actual apron through [Turns] 1 and 2 all night long. I made a lot of passes there. I just kind of stuck it down there and went for it. We were able to clear off [Turn] 2 and drive away.”
Moffitt led 19 laps, 16 of which were in Stage 1, which he won. But a speeding penalty during the stage break caution put him at the back of the field, and he spent much of the race moving back to the front.
On the restart with three laps to go, Moffitt was third behind Noah Gragson and Grant Enfinger, who did not have a spot in the Championship 4 locked up. When Gragson and Enfinger made contact racing side-by-side, Moffitt pulled up alongside, taking the lead and never looking back. Gragson finished second, and will advance to the championship based on points. Enfinger finished fourth and did not advance.
“I guess it’s just hard racing, short-track racing,” said Gragson of the finish. “The most important thing is we’re going to be racing for a championship next weekend. My crew guys, everybody at Kyle Busch Motorsports and the Safelite AutoGlass team, they’ve definitely earned it. Safelite AutoGlass, it’s going to be their first time going to Homestead next weekend, so I’m really excited.”
Harrison Burton led a race-high 46 laps, including a Stage 2 win, and finished third. Rounding out the top five was Stewart Friesen. Also advancing to the Championship 4 were the past two race winners, Johnny Sauter, who finished seventh, and Justin Haley, who finished 28th due to an oil leak.
John Hunter Nemechek took the lead at the beginning of the final stage and seemed to be poised for victory or a top five. But when Enfinger challenged for the lead, Nemechek got loose and spun out. He finished 29th.
Tomorrow’s NASCAR Xfinity Series Whelen Trusted to Perform 200 will begin at 1:30 p.m., local time.
About ISM Raceway
Since 1964, ISM Raceway has been the premier motorsports venue in the Southwest. As part of a $178 million modernization project, the track officially became ISM Raceway in January 2018 as a result of a naming rights partnership with ISM Connect, a pioneer in smart venue technology bringing the digital fan engagement experience to Phoenix. Phoenix hosts two Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series weekends each year, beginning with the TicketGuardian 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race weekend on March 9, 10 and 11. The schedule is anchored by the Opening Weekend, on Nov. 9, 10 and 11, with the Can-Am 500, the semifinal race in NASCAR’s Playoffs after which the field is reduced to the final four championship contenders. For more information, visit www.ISMRaceway.com.
