The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Chase re-surfaces at Las Vegas Speedway for its second contest of the Round of 8. The DC Solar 350 is set to get under way on Saturday, October 1st at 8:30 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1.
All of the Chase drivers minus William Byron raced in last year’s event at Las Vegas Speedway. The highest finishing Chase competitor was Timothy Peters, who finished in second. He was followed by Ben Kennedy, John Hunter Nemechek and Daniel Hemric. Speedster Matt Crafton finished eighth. John Wes Townley took the checkered flag and drove into Victory Lane.
In last week’s race, William Byron led 161 of the 175 laps turned, capturing his six win of the season. Furthermore, the Kyle Busch Motorsport’s phenom advances to the Round of Six with the win.
The 18 year old driver has dominated in his first NASCAR Series season. William Byron has amassed six wins, nine top five’s, led over 570 laps and takes back to the garage a finishing average of 9.1. Saturday’s contest will be his first time speeding around Las Vegas Speedway in a Camping World Truck Series race.
Daniel Hemric, the most consistent NASCAR Camping World Truck Series racer in 2016, has recorded 13 top 10’s. Unfortunately, the Brad Keselowski Racing driver got into trouble last Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Daniel Hemric and his #19 Ford, tallied their worst finish of the year. As a result of his 28th place out-put, he dropped 21 points behind fellow racer Johnny Sauter on the cut-off line for the round of Six.
This is the second of three races before the field is whittled down. Daniel Hemric has to find away into the Winner’s Circle or his championship hopes are squashed. The up and comer has his work cut out for him, Daniel Hemric has never won a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race.
Nevertheless, he has the speed and patience to get it accomplished. In his last nine races, he has six top three performances. That also includes his career best second place finish at Chicagoland Speedway. Chicagoland is where the Camping World Truck Series will decide its 2016 champion.
Timothy Peters charged his way to a top five result in last week’s inaugural Chase race in Louden, New Hampshire. Peters has competed at Las Vegas Speedway on eight different occasions. The Red Horse Racing speedster has recorded one win in 2013, five top five’s and six other top ten performances. Peters commented on his opinion of the 1.5 mile, paved oval in Sin City.
“I’m really looking forward to getting back to Las Vegas (Motor Speedway). We have always had success there and we’re hoping to keep momentum on our side and win our first race of the year so we can advance to the next round of the Chase.” said Peters.
Things got real serious in a big hurry for John Hunter Nemechek after last week’s showdown in New Hampshire. Nemechek was docked ten crucial points after his #8 Fire alarm Services Chevrolet failed the post-race inspection.
Now, the gritty driver sits outside of the cut-off line and needs an amazing performance to keep his Chase hopes alive. Fortunately for Nemechek, the youngster races well here. He finished in fourth in last years event at Las Vegas.
William Byron’s teammate Christopher Bell sits third in the Chase standings. He had an impressive performance last week, where he finished runner-up. Last year, the Kyle Busch Motorsport’s racer finished second here with Red Horse Racing.
He is my pick to drive on to victory on Saturday. The Kyle Busch Motorsports teammate followed him across the line at New Hampshire in second. The greenhorn has one win, eight top five’s and 12 top 10’s this year.
Currently, veteran Matt Crafton sits second in the CWTS Chase point standings. So far, the savvy truck driver has two wins in 2016. The Menards #88 Chevrolet has managed another six top five’s and 12 other top 10’s. Last year, Crafton started the race at Las Vegas Speedway from the pole position. He finished out his day with a race high 69 laps led, but placed in the eighth position.
