NCWTS: NextEra Energy Resources 250 Preview

The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) kicks off their 2017 season in the NextEra Energy Resources 250 at Daytona International Speedway, their only trip to the speedway. This kicks off a 23 race season for the teams.

42 drivers are slated to compete for 32 positions in Friday’s race. Unfortunately, 10 drivers will be sent home after qualifying on Friday afternoon.

This will be the 18th NCWTS race at Daytona International Speedway. 15 drivers have won the pole. 15 different drivers have won at Daytona. Three races have been won from the pole position with Jack Sprague being the last driver to do so in 2007. Ty Dillon set the qualifying record at 188.774 mph back in 2015. Mark Martin set the race record at 146.622 mph in 2006.

Drivers are excited about getting back into action on the track with the new competition enhancements.

“I like the idea of the stages, and getting points for each stage, it will be huge. Then you’ve got the segments, and the segment wins that earn bonus points, which ultimately help your chances of getting in the Chase, and then earning bonus points there as well. So, I like the idea a lot and we’ll see how it plays out this season. To be honest, I’m happy this format eliminates the caution clock for the Truck Series because I was not a huge fan. However, I think it will have the biggest impact on the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series because their races are so long. With that being said, I think the segment races will bring some great racing to the Cup Series, but I don’t see it making a huge impact with trucks because our races are shorter and we race so hard from green flag to checkered flag. I do think it will make for some exciting races around each segment though, for sure,” said Matt Crafton.

“I’m really looking forward to making my first start in the Truck Series. It’s such an honor to be able to run at Daytona in any racecar, but to be able to do it in one of NASCAR’s top-three series and to be driving for a Cup champion is truly a blessing and a dream come true. Daytona is different than any other place we go; running there in the past with ARCA will definitely be beneficial in the Truck Series race. Seat time in anything helps anywhere you go. My Cooper Standard Ford F-150 and the ARCA car will drive totally different, but I think it will still help just knowing the characteristics of the place and how superspeedway racing plays out,” says Chase Briscoe.

The NexEra Energy Resources 250 will be 100 laps. The race will be on Motor Racing Network and Fox Sports 1. Elliott Sadler will be in the Motor Racing Network booth.

Caleb Whisler
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