Ross Chastain won both stages of the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series M&Ms 200 presented by Casey’s General Store at Iowa Speedway and took the checkered flag, but during post-race inspection, his truck was found to be too low in the front. As a result of new rules introduced beginning with the 2019 season, Chastain was subsequently disqualified as the race winner and relegated to the last-place finishing position and points.
Less than two weeks after declaring his intention to pursue championship points in the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series, Chastain appeared to have scored his second Gander Trucks win and second with Niece Motorsports. The series declaration allowed Chastain to compete in the Triple Truck Challenge and gave him an opportunity to challenge for a playoff berth since he’s started every Gander Trucks race in 2019.
But problems emerged in M&M’S 200 post-race inspection. NASCAR officials found the No. 44 TruNorth/Paul Jr Designs Chevrolet was too low and stripped the win from Chastain, instead handing Moffitt his first victory of 2019 despite not leading a lap in the race. It’s the first disqualification of a winner in NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series history, dating back to the 1995 season.
“This is not the way you wanna win,” said Moffitt in the Mediacom Media Center. “I know I got beat on the track.
“But I’ll take a win any way I can get it”
With Chastain’s misfortune, the Iowa native was officially declared the winner of the M&M’S 200 presented by Casey’s General Store, defending his victory from 2018. This was his first win of 2019 in his first season with GMS Racing.
“For the integrity of the sport,” Moffitt said, “It is the right thing.”
In addition to the race win, Moffitt earns the $50,000 bonus for winning the second race of the Triple Truck Challenge. As part of the Destiny Homes S.M.A.R.T Series Dream Home Giveaway, a lucky fan can win a Chevrolet Silverado if Moffitt can repeat next week at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway on Saturday, June 22.
Iowa Speedway PR
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