The NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series started the Round of 10 playoffs Thursday night from Bristol Motor Speedway in the UNOH 200. Grant Enfinger won the pole by a metric qualifying system with Brett Moffitt starting second. The “Choose Cone Rule” was in play for this race. It had rained for the majority of the day from the remnants of Hurricane Sally. The weather moved out just time for the race to get started.
A spot in the Round of 8 is on the line tonight! The 2020 #NASCARPlayoffs are GREEN from @BMSupdates! (📺: FS1) pic.twitter.com/I38gEaC556 — NASCAR Gander Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) September 17, 2020
On the third lap, Austin Hill slid up between turns one and two in front of Stewart Friesen. Friesen hit Hill from behind, and debris came off Hill’s truck as the first caution came out on lap eight. Hill went to pit road for repairs. Brett Moffitt chose the outside lane while Grant Enfinger went to the inside for the restart on lap 14. Enfinger spun the tires, allowing Moffitt and Tyler Ankrum to take the first two spots. Enfinger reported to his crew that the motor was shutting off. Upfront, Brett Moffitt led the remaining 41 laps to win stage one.
That was quick! 😬 Early damage for #NASCARPlayoffs contender, @_AustinHill. #UNOH200 pic.twitter.com/JeprEU7AK1 — NASCAR Gander Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) September 17, 2020
STAGE WINNER: @Brett_Moffitt comes out of the gate strong at @BMSupdates and wins Stage 1 of the #UNOH200. pic.twitter.com/xGRk2jVucK — NASCAR Gander Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) September 18, 2020
During the caution, Tyler Ankrum, Johnny Sauter, and Sheldon Creed stayed out as everyone else came to pit road. Grant Enfinger spent multiple times on pit road, changing the ECU in his truck. Tyler Ankrum chose the outside lane, and Sheldon Creed went to the inside to start stage two on lap 68.
Something is … different? @GrantEnfinger | #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/tqojbhSAOH — NASCAR Gander Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) September 18, 2020
The restart lasted fourteen laps before the third caution came out for an incident between Spencer Boyd and Danny Bohn. During the caution, Sheldon Creed, Ben Rhodes, Trevor Bayne, and Carson Hocevar pitted while everyone else stayed out. Creed was caught speeding and had to restart at the tail end of the field. Tyler Ankrum chose the outside lane while Johnny Sauter went to the inside for the restart on lap 89. Ankrum would lead the remaining eleven laps to win stage two.
PENALTY: While pitting under this yellow flag, @sheldoncreed is too fast on pit road. He'll start from the rear on this restart. #UNOH200 pic.twitter.com/4gB0qQzwD7 — NASCAR Gander Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) September 18, 2020
STAGE WINNER: @TylerAnkrum leads every lap in Stage 2 and takes the green-and-white checkered flag! This is the first stage victory of Ankrum's career. pic.twitter.com/azsDnq0EnS — NASCAR Gander Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) September 18, 2020
During the caution, Tyler Ankrum missed the entrance to pit road and had to come back in a lap later. Johnny Sauter, Sam Mayer, Derek Kraus, Christian Eckes, Tanner Gray, Grant Enfinger, Ben Rhodes, and Parker Klingerman were the only lead lap trucks to pit. Johnny Sauter and Stewart Friesen were both caught speeding and had to restart at the rear of the field. Brett Moffitt chose the outside lane while Zane Smith went to the inside to start the final stage on lap 120.
After the leaders hit pit road, @Brett_Moffitt inherits the lead for the restart! 📺: FS1 | 🖥: https://t.co/kd5eqlatOc pic.twitter.com/PWK6b84LCj — NASCAR Gander Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) September 18, 2020
Thirty-two laps into the final restart, Sam Mayer challenged teammate Brett Moffitt for the lead; however, heavy traffic prevented Mayer from taking the lead. Three laps later, Austin Wayne Self was hit from behind by Austin Hill to bring out the fifth caution of the night. During the caution, Ben Rhodes was the only lead lap truck to pit. Austin Hill was held for two laps for too many men over the wall under the damage vehicle policy. Brett Moffitt chose the outside lane while Sam Mayer went to the inside for the restart on lap 167.
"You are not clear buddy." – @KurtBusch @AustinWSelf makes contact with @_AustinHill, and the caution is out. pic.twitter.com/zIxgkpY46k — NASCAR Gander Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) September 18, 2020
Four laps into the restart, Sam Mayer would finally pass Brett Moffitt for the lead and didn’t look back. Mayer, in his fourth start of the season, would go on to win the race by 4.413 seconds over teammate Brett Moffitt. This is GMS Racing’s seventh win of the season. Mayer becomes the second-youngest driver to win in the Truck Series behind Cole Custer.
Look at this kid go! Retweet to congratulate @sam_mayer_ on winning tonight's Gander Trucks race at @BMSupdates! pic.twitter.com/OJQCiR1IHB — NASCAR Gander Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) September 18, 2020
The rest of the top ten finishers were Tanner Gray third, Parker Klingerman fourth, Chandler Smith fifth, Grant Enfinger sixth, Tyler Ankrum seventh, Ross Chastain eighth, Johnny Sauter ninth, and Matt Crafton tenth. There were five cautions for 41 and three lead changes.
Playoff standings after Bristol are Brett Moffitt (+37) with a nine-point lead over Sheldon Creed (+28). Zane Smith is third (25), Grant Enfinger fourth (+24), Tyler Ankrum fifth (+19), Matt Crafton sixth (+13), Ben Rhodes seventh (+6), Austin Hill eighth (+2), Christian Eckes ninth (-2), and Todd Gilliland tenth (-8) with one race to go in the Round of ten playoffs. The Round of 10 playoffs concluded next Friday from Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the World of Westgate 200 at 9 pm on FS1.
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