After the ARCA Menards Series race this afternoon, it was the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series turned to tangle with the 1.5-mile tri-oval at Kentucky Speedway for the Buckle Up In Your Truck 225. Before the race started, three truck teams were issued an L1 infraction, and they were Johnny Sauter, Derek Kraus, and Ben Rhodes. They were docked ten points in both the championship and owners’ points and sent to the rear of the field. Two other drivers were also sent to the rear of the field as Ray Ciccarelli (missing rookie meeting) and Trey Hutchens III (unapproved adjustment) joined them.
As the race got underway, there was already trouble for the number 20 truck of Spencer Boyd as his truck was smoking and leaking oil on the track to bring out the first caution of the race. Under the caution, Johnny Sauter came to pit road, and his hood was raised as his crew went to work making adjustments.
We're green at @KySpeedway! … and just as quickly, we're under yellow as @SpencerBoyd has an issue under the hood. pic.twitter.com/H37uUx4Joa — NASCAR Gander Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) July 11, 2020
Brett Moffitt led the field to the restart on the eighth lap with Sheldon Creed on the inside. Moffitt held on to the lead exiting off of turn two. Six laps into the restart, the second caution came out on lap 14 for the number 9 truck of Cody Rohrbaugh as he got loose heading into turn one and slammed the outside wall hard. He got out of his truck and appeared to be ok.
Let's try this again … we're back racing at @KySpeedway! 📺: FS1 | 📲: https://t.co/kd5eqlatOc pic.twitter.com/s7sOcMG0ru — NASCAR Gander Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) July 11, 2020
More trouble at @KySpeedway! Codie Rohrbaugh goes for a spin in front of the field! pic.twitter.com/uT7r7vpb06 — NASCAR Gander Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) July 11, 2020
Under the caution, the leaders stayed out, with only five trucks pitting. Moffitt would lead the field back to green on lap 19. Three laps into the restart, the number 49 truck driven by Tim Viens, spun at turn three to bring out the third caution of the race. Nine trucks pitted, including Parker Klingerman, Matt Crafton, Chandler Smith, and Ben Rhodes, while the rest of the leaders stayed out. The race got back underway on the 26th lap.
The battle for the Stage One win is very … orange. 🍊@Brett_Moffitt and @zanesmith77 are putting on a show at @KySpeedway! pic.twitter.com/dHkwaawpX5 — NASCAR Gander Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) July 11, 2020
A lap into the restart, smoke began coming out of the number 40 truck of Ryan Truex after making contact with the 04 truck of Cory Roper, but the race stayed green. Up at the front, Brett Moffitt was battling Zane Smith for the lead. Smith was able to get by Moffitt and take the stage one win.
Under the caution, everyone pitted except for Matt Crafton, Ben Rhodes, and Austin Wayne Self. Crew chiefs were making tough calls as dark clouds and wind began to roll near the speedway. Parker Klingerman led the field on the restart to start stage two at lap 41.
We enjoy our Saturday night battles for the lead three-wide and FAST.@pkligerman holds the top spot on FS1! pic.twitter.com/tiJbXOJvVd — NASCAR Gander Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) July 11, 2020
Two laps into the restart, Bryant Barnhill had a flat left rear tire and spun his truck at turn four to bring out the fifth caution of the day. Crew chiefs were now gambling as the storm continued to move in. Chandler Smith came to pit road to fix the damage on his truck after making contact with Stewart Friesen. The race restarted on lap 47 with Parker Klingerman in the lead. Ben Rhodes was able to get the lead from Klingerman.
Not even a lap into the restart, the sixth caution flag came out as Jennifer Jo Cobb, and Korbin Forrister got together at turn two. Ryan Truex got the free pass. Teams were debating as to whether to come to pit road knowing the weather was moving in and could potentially end the race early. No one pitted under caution. Ben Rhodes led the field back to green on lap 52 with 20 laps to go in stage two.
It is GO TIME in Stage Two at @KySpeedway!@sheldoncreed goes to the point in the #BuckleUp225! pic.twitter.com/f6oyKLiNfo — NASCAR Gander Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) July 11, 2020
On the restart, Sheldon Creed went low and made it three-wide to take to the lead. Klingerman got caught in the middle and was left sitting in third place. Sheldon Creed led the last 20 laps to win stage two as the skies got darker. Shortly after stage two ended, the skies opened up, and the rain, lightning, and wind started. NASCAR officials made the call, and the race was over with Sheldon Creed getting his first win of the season. With the win, Creed punches his ticket to the playoffs.
He took the leaders three-wide, and it proved to be the winning move for @sheldoncreed at @KySpeedway. See how he got it done. ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/RIIP0FQiRN — NASCAR Gander Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) July 11, 2020
Coming in at second place was Ben Rhodes, third was Matt Crafton, fourth was Johnny Sauter, Austin Hill comes in fifth, Christian Eckes sixth, Zane Smith seventh, Derek Kraus eighth, Tanner Gray ninth, and Todd Gilliland tenth.
Point standings now stand with Grant Enfinger first with two wins, Sheldon Creed moves into second with the win today. Austin Hill third, Ben Rhodes fourth, Christian Eckes fifth, Zane Smith sixth, Todd Gilliland seventh, Johnny Sauter eighth, Brett Moffitt ninth, and Tyler Ankrum tenth.
There were eight lead changes from six drivers and seven cautions for 25 laps. Next race for the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series will be on Saturday, July 18th, from Texas Motor Speedway for the Vankor 350 at 8 pm on FS1.
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