Johnny Sauter, driver of the No. 21 Allegiant Travel Chevrolet, finished third in the Ford EcoBoost 200 at Homestead-Miami Speedway to claim his first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) Championship.
The Necedah, Wis., native started the 134-lap event from the 19th position after failing to advance past the first round of qualifying. Once the green flag waved on the season finale, Sauter struggled to improve his position until the first pit stop of the night. He reported to crew chief Joe Shear, Jr., that his Allegiant Travel Chevrolet was too loose and needed more rear side bite. He gained three positions on the first pit stop to start his run toward the front. Sauter ran in the top 10 for the remainder of the race, passing Matt Crafton for the third position with 12 laps remaining.
Sauter claimed three wins, 12 top fives, and 19 top-10 finishes en route to securing victory in the inaugural NCWTS Chase. The championship is the first for Sauter and Shear, as well as GMS Racing, who won six races this year with four different drivers (Sauter, Larson, Kennedy and Enfinger).
JOHNNY SAUTER QUOTE:
“I think it is safe to say this is a moment I will never forget. I came to GMS [Racing] to win a championship. Maury (Gallagher, team owner) and Mike Beam told me that it could be done. I wouldn’t have come here if I didn’t believe that and to sit here now with them, celebrating this deal, is really exciting and fulfilling. Joe has been by my side for so long and I don’t know that I would have been able to do this with anybody else. We spent some time apart, but when we got back together things just clicked. I think it’s still sinking in, but I just can’t say enough about all of the guys at GMS and the great job they have done this year. That goes for GMS Fabrication also. They have done an amazing job building all new trucks this year and clearly they are doing something right. I’m ready to get to Daytona and do this again next year!”
GMS Racing PR
