The NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series started the Round of 8 playoffs Saturday afternoon at Kansas Speedway’s Clean Harbors 200. Hailie Deegan made her debut in the Truck Series, and the “Choose Cone Rule” was back for this race. Chandler Smith won the pole by a metric qualifying system with Ben Rhodes starting second. No trucks dropped to the rear of the field.
A spot in the #Championship4 is on the line today at @kansasspeedway! We're green in the #CleanHarbors200 on FOX! pic.twitter.com/deSquRLZIv — NASCAR Gander Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) October 17, 2020
From the drop of the green, there were two, three, and four-wide racing. Sheldon Creed shoved Chandler Smith to the outside lane, making it three-wide to take the lead. Creed led all thirty laps to win stage one. During the caution, the leaders went to pit road for fuel and tires. Austin Hill was first off of pit road and was the new leader, followed by Zane Smith. Hill chose the inside lane, and Smith went outside for the restart on lap 38.
It's all Creed early in Stage 1! @sheldoncreed leads the way in the #CleanHarbors200. pic.twitter.com/FSh0lSj5jy — NASCAR Gander Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) October 17, 2020
Raphael Lessard clipped Brett Moffit on the same lap, causing Lessard to get loose and hit Tyler Ankrum, knocking off his fuel line, before hitting Parker Klingerman. Simultaneously, another accident occurred on the backstretch involving David Gravel and Tanner Gray to bring out the second caution. The red flag was waved shortly after and lasted seven minutes. Hill once again chose the inside lane, and Smith was on the outside for the restart on lap 46. Smith got a push from Creed to take the lead a lap later. On lap 54, Creed took the lead from Smith and led the last six laps to win stage two.
Not one, but TWO separate incidents at @kansasspeedway. @NASCARONFOX takes a closer look. pic.twitter.com/23EwWDsDKN — NASCAR Gander Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) October 17, 2020
During the caution, the leaders came to pit road for service. Austin Hill’s crew worked on repairing damage to his truck caused by earlier contact with Christian Eckes. Sheldon Creed chose the inside lane while Zane Smith was outside to start the final stage on lap 68.
Creed led fourteen laps before Smith passed him for the lead on lap 82. Creed would lose the second spot a couple of laps later to Brett Moffitt. The final scheduled pit stops were underway on lap 100 with Creed coming in for service. Two laps later, both Smith and Moffitt went to pit road. Hailie Deegan and Todd Gilliland were the last drivers to pit under green, handing the lead back to Brett Moffitt.
On lap 124, Smith passed Moffitt for the lead with ten laps to go. With three laps to go, Moffitt got by Smith for the lead while making contact. Both drivers made contact again on the backstretch, sending Smith sideways. Smith tried to save his truck but spun to bring out the caution and send the race into overtime. In overtime, Moffitt held off Sheldon Creed to win the race by .111 seconds and secure a spot in the championship four at Phoenix.
"Hang on to it buddy!" –@KurtBusch 😱Around goes @zanesmith77 after battling teammate @Brett_Moffitt for the lead! pic.twitter.com/toPuM8sn0I — NASCAR Gander Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) October 17, 2020
He's back in Victory Lane! Retweet to congratulate @Brett_Moffitt on a huge win in the #NASCARPlayoffs! 🏁 pic.twitter.com/XHVeV6Cza0 — NASCAR Gander Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) October 17, 2020
The rest of the top ten finishers were Austin Hill third, Grant Enfinger fourth, Chandler Smith fifth, Christian Eckes sixth, Timothy Peters seventh, Matt Crafton eighth, Derek Kraus ninth Trevor Bayne tenth. There were four cautions for 24 laps and thirteen lead changes.
The Round of 8 playoff standings is Brett Moffitt first (ADV), Sheldon Creed second (+26), Austin Hill third (+19), and Zane Smith fourth (+7). Drivers on the outside looking in are Grant Enfinger fifth (-7), Matt Crafton sixth (-15), Ben Rhodes seventh (-33), and Tyler Ankrum eighth (-56). The Round of 8 playoffs continues next Sunday, October 25th, from Texas Motor Speedway’s SpeedyCash.com 400 at noon on FS1.
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