Brett Winningham - Results from #800

This weekend the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will head off to the Gateway Motorsports Park for the Drivin' for Lineman 200. This will be the first race at the 1.25-mile oval since 2010. Since then, the race track has aged a lot, but many drivers have said they should be able to pick-up where they left off in 2010 because the trucks have not changed much since.

The entry list features a total of 32 talented race car drivers who will go for the race win Saturday evening. Some of these include, Cole Custer, Caleb Roark, John Hunter Nemecheck, Chase Pistone, Ted Minor, Gray Gaulding, Scott Stenzel, Charles Lewandoski, Erik Jones and Adam Edwards. There will not be any NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers racing here on Saturday evening.

Two drivers will be doing double duty this weekend with those being John Wes Townley and Gray Gaulding. Townley will compete in the ARCA Racing Series on Friday afternoon at the Michigan International Speedway with Venturini Motorsports. As for Gaulding, he will compete in the K&N Pro Series East race in Florida. On Friday evening, Justin Lofton will shake down the truck for Gaulding, and Nelson Piquet Jr. will shake down the No. 5 for Townley.

Matt Crafton heads into this weekend with a 11 point lead over his teammate Johnny Sauter after the win last week at the Texas Motor Speedway. Ron Hornday Jr., who is currently on a race-by-race basis sits third with 23-points behind. Ryan Blaney and Timothy Peters rounds out the top-five.

Ron Hornaday Jr. comes into this weekend's event the only driver in the field with a previous win here. Although, if he wants to capture the win on Saturday, he'll have to outrun not only the young guns, but also Crafton and Sauter. These three drivers are certainly the fan favorites entering into the race weekend.

You can watch the event at 7:30 p.m. Et, live on FOX Sports 1. The Motor Racing Network will carry the live radio broadcast of the Drivin' for Lineman 200 on the 1.25-mile oval.

Matt Crafton took the victory last night at the Texas Motor Speedway for the 18th annual WinStar World Casino 400K after leading a career high of 118 laps of the 167 lap event. Crafton started the night from the second spot after Justin Lofton started on the pole position. Crafton originally was six laps short on fuel but was able to save just enough to earn his fifth career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series win.

"I didn't know we were so close there. I rode around conserving and conserving, then would run another five laps, and they said to conserve fuel again," said Crafton. "It was done on the track and on pit road as these guys and this truck was just unbelievable all evening long."

He also added that this is the same truck that finished second to Kyle Busch two times and also took them to a victory last season.

After starting on the pole, and finishing just one position short in his second truck series start of the season, was Justin Lofton. Lofton earned the pole during qualifying yesterday afternoon with a fast time of 30.054 seconds, 179.677 mph. With just two starts this season, Lofton has finished both of those, with his last start at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, inside the top-10. These solid finishes should give the 28-year-old momentum to hopefully find a ride for the rest of the year. Lofton lost the race by 13.302 seconds, which is a new series track record at the Texas Motor Speedway.

Finishing in the third spot after also managing to save fuel all night long was Joe Nemechek. Last night was his first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series start at the 1.5-mile oval. During the middle of the event, Nemechek did get stuck towards the back, but was able to make up ground after several cars pitted in the last twelve laps to get the solid finish and hopes this will give the team plenty of momentum going into Gateway Motorsports Park next weekend when his son drives the No. 8.

Ben Kennedy came out of the event as the highest finishing rookie driver after a 14th-place finish to end the night. Despite being the highest finishing rookie of the race, it wasn't all smiles for the driver after starting the race from the 18th spot with only 27 drivers on the entry list.

Matt Crafton leaves the Texas Motor Speedway with the drivers points lead by 11 over teammate Johnny Sauter. Ron Hornaday currently sits third with 23 points behind the leader going into Gateway next weekend. The fourth and Fifth spots sit Ryan Blaney and Timothy Peters who ride 25 and 27 points respectively behind the points leader.

The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will roll into the mid-west for the series return at the Gateway Motorsports Park for the first time since 2010. Race coverage will begin at 8:00 p.m. Et, live on FOX Sports 1. The Motor Racing Network will provide the live radio coverage of the event.

This weekend, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will be taking on the 'Tricky Triangle' for the 33rd annual Pocono 400. This track isn't like any other track though, as it features three turns unlike four which is seen nearly every week, and provides something different to the race fans. Each of these corners share a distinct character as each is a replica of different historic tracks. Turn one signifies Trenton Speedway, turn two signifies Indianapolis Motor Speedway and turn three represents the Milwaukee Mile.

Prior to the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, Pocono Raceway decided they would repave the 2.5-mile oval. The track was getting worn out and bumps along with cracks on the surface were starting to become a concern. This, at the same time, can offer an advantage or disadvantage to the drivers since most like the worn out surfaces much more. Jeff Gordon is one of these drivers who prefers the older surfaces over the newer ones.

There are many advantages, but also disadvantages when it comes to a track doing a repave. Many advantages, at least these are some that David Ragan listed, are that it helps the driver dial in the car much better because of its smoothness. This gives the car much more grip, and as long as its a good tire, teams pretty much don't have to worry about tire wear and it takes out the tire management during the race. With a combination of these things, it pretty much takes out the driver element, because the smoothness takes out handling, then it makes the car much easier to drive. I know repaves are needed every once in a while like the Kansas Speedway a couple years ago where the asphalt was breaking apart, but if it's not needed, then tracks shouldn't do it.

Yesterday afternoon, the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series had two practice sessions scheduled but rain washed out all but 20 minutes of the track time. Shortly after, NASCAR announced they would replace the qualifying session scheduled on Friday afternoon for a one hour practice session.

About halfway through the session, the 10th fastest truck on the speed chart, Jeb Burton, blew a tire and smacked the wall. The No. 13 Toyota had heavy damage on the right side of the truck, forcing the team to switch to the backup. This is certainly not a good start this weekend with a new full-time sponsor for the 21-year-old.

The truck that will serve as the team's backup will be their Texas Motor Speedway primary that was already ready for next Friday evening's event with their setup. During the rest of the practice session, the team focused on getting it switched out with their Dover setup.

Because Burton will have to switch to a backup, he will have to start today's Lucas Oil 200 from the rear of the field, because the field was set yesterday via the rule book. He was origionally scheduled to start in the 12th position based on the team's spot in the owner points. The team wasn't able to complete a practice run with the backup.

Last night at the Kern County Raceway, it was all Greg Pursley who drove an exceptional race since the drop of the green flag in the Armed Forces 150. Pursley came into the Armed Forces 150 looking for his first win of the 2014 season after scoring five wins last season, including back here in October. He also came into the event leading only 62 laps in four races previous this season and a stat he shattered last night. Tonight was the 19th career victory in the K&N Pro Series West for the 46-year-old driver.

Finishing in second after running a clean and steady race was Dylan Lupton. Lupton had nothing for the dominant car of the race, as the crew chief told the track public address, but capitalized on a mistake by David Mayhew who was slowed by a slow car with an issue on the final lap, and allowed Lupton to advance to second. The race last night was his seventh career top-five finish in his 23rd K&N Pro Series West start. He lost the race by 0.797 seconds

David Mayhew, who was the only car who had something for Greg Pursley, came home in the third spot last night. Mayhew came into his hometown race looking to score his third NASCAR K&N Pro Series victory but fell just short after getting slowed by a car with an issue with two laps remaining. It was the fourth time this season the 32-year-old has finished inside the five for his 56th career top-10 in the series.

The next race for the series will be at the Sonoma Raceway on June 21. NASCARHometracks.com will offer live coverage of the event, as televison will be on taped delay.

RACE STATISTICS
Fastest Qualifier: Greg Pursley, Time: 18.179 Seconds, Speed: 99.015 mph
Time of Race: 1 hrs., 18 mins, 13 secs    Average Speed: 57.532 mph    Margin of Victory: .797 Seconds
Caution Flags: Laps 3-7; 10-15; 38-42; 63-66; 76-77; 100-103; 120-123; 136-140. 8 for 35 laps.
Lap Leaders: Greg Pursley 1-114, David Mayhew 115-142, Greg Pursley 143, David Mayhew 144-145, Greg Pursley 146-150.
Total Laps Led: Greg Pursley 120, David Mayhew 30. 4 changes involving 2 drivers.

*Via NASCAR Home Tracks

Greg Pursley captured the pole for tonight's NASCAR K&N Pro Series West race at the Kern County Raceway after a fast time of 18.179 seconds. Pursley was one of the few drivers who only elected to take one lap this afternoon to earn the pole. Pursley is the first driver to take a shot at the track record, which was set last year by Gray Gaulding in October, but didn't quite get there.

Starting tonight from the second spot will be Brandon McReynolds after posting a time of 18.194 seconds. McReynolds makes his seventh start in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West and will start inside the top-10 for his fifth time this season. He hopes tonight though will go much better after getting in a crash last Saturday night at the Iowa Speedway early on in the running. He heads into tonight's race looking for his first win in the series. McReynolds was just 0.015 seconds off of the pole sitter's best lap.

Starting from the third spot will be David Mayhew, who was the only other driver in qualifying to hold the provisional pole at one point. Mayhew's fastest lap came on the first of two with a fast time of 18.263 seconds. Tonight will mark his 77th career start in the series and looks to score his seventh win. He already has gotten two wins this year, which came at Stockton and Iowa Speedway, so he has plenty of momentum going into tonight's race.

Two practice sessions was held earlier today as Greg Pursley was the fastest with a time of 18.152 seconds, 99.163 mph. Time that separated the fastest from the second place drivers was 0.138 seconds. Once final practice was complete, Jesse Little was the fastest with a 18.148 seconds, 99.184 mph. Little was scored 0.036 seconds faster than second place Giles Thornton.

Kyle Larson captured the victory this afternoon at the Charlotte Motor Speedway after leading the most laps of any driver for a total of 82. Larson started the event from the third position and had to over come a restart with about 30 laps to go after not being so good on the long runs. Today's victory marked the second Nationwide Series win of his career and his second since Auto Club Speedway.

Coming home in second was Brad Keselowski after having a great afternoon after starting on the front row for the History 300 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Keselowski didn't just have second handed to him as he and Kyle Busch battled for the position late into the running. Keselowski finished 1.481 seconds behind the race winner.

Finishing third, after battling hard upfront all race long, but also came into the race as the pole winner after winning all three rounds, was Kyle Busch. Busch led a total of 27 laps of the race for the third most of any driver this afternoon. Today was his 22nd start at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in the series and scored his 19th top-10 finish at the 1.5-mile oval.

Highest finishing rookie of the afternoon was Chris Buescher, who started the race from the 13th spot, and drove to a ninth place finish. Today was his sixth career top-10 finish for the 21-year-old from the state of Texas.

With a minute into the final round of knockout qualifying Saturday morning at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, Kyle Busch claimed the pole with a time of 29.493 seconds, 183.094 mph. Busch was the fastest driver in all three rounds of the qualifying sessions to earn his 38th career NASCAR Nationwide Series pole.

Starting in second, and also with a very strong car in all three qualifying rounds, will be Brad Keselowski after posting a fast time of 29.564 seconds, 182.655 mph. Keselowski goes into today's event looking to capture his second win of the season, and with a solid qualifying effort, it gives him some momentum. Keselowski was just 0.071 seconds off of the pole sitter's time.

Starting in the third spot for the History 300 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway will be Kyle Larson. Larson posted a quick time of 29.638 seconds, 182.199 mph. After nine starts in the 2014 racing season, Larson will start up inside the top-10 for his sixth time this year, and the first time he has started inside the top-10 since Auto Club Speedway.

Only one car did not post a time in the first round, which he did not advance to the next round, was Tanner Berryhill. The No. 17 Ford didn't pass pre-qualifying technical inspection because the nose was too narrow, which was reported by Chris Knight.

As only 40 drivers showed up this weekend to race, no cars will be going home, and all 40 of them will race. Even though Kyle Busch's team took the car back to the race shop for repairs, they will still be able to keep their starting spot.

Gabby Chaves captured his fourth win of the season this afternoon in the INDY Lights race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway after passing Mathew Brabham at the last possible second to create a photo finish for the second consecutive time. Today's win gave Chaves his 14th career podium finish in the series after 18 total starts since last season.

Finishing in second, and losing the race behind Chaves by 0.0050 seconds, was Mathew Brabham. Brabham earned his third podium finish in his career and the third one of the season for the 20-year-old driver from Florida. It also was his fifth finish this season inside the top-10 as he is going for the rookie of the year. He came into today's race hoping to capture his second career win.

Coming home in third was Zach Veach after having a great day running up front as he was in the hunt for his second career win in the series. Veach, at one point, led momentarly but was quickly passed by Brabham during the mid-point of the race. Today was his fifth top-five finish for the sixth time he has finished on the podium.

The race only saw one caution early on after Chase Austin got loose over in turn one and violently impacted the inside retaining wall. Austin was awake and altert, but was said he fractured his left wrist, and was taken to an area hospital for further evaluation. He was the only car who did not finish in the event.

The next race for the INDY Lights will be at the Pocono Raceway on July 6. Coverage will be on NBCSN and on the IMS radio network. Carlos Munoz is the defending race winner of the event.

Jimmie Johnson will roll off Sunday for the Coca-Cola 600 from the pole position after running a fast time of 27.705 seconds, 194.911 mph. Johnson goes into the race looking to score his first win of the 2014 season as the team has been struggling as of late. Previously, here in the 2014 season, Johnson's best start was fourth, which he posted back at Phoenix and Martinsville.

Starting in the second spot will be Brad Keselowski after posting a fast time of 27.754 seconds, 194.567 mph. Keselowski hopes to leave Charlotte with his second victory, which his last came on a track much like the Charlotte Motor Speedway, for his 12th career win in the series. This is his eighth time, and seventh time during the season to start from the front row. Keselowski lost the pole by just 0.049 seconds behind Johnson.

Starting from the third spot will be a driver who is hungry for a race win will be Kasey Kahne. Kahne posted a fast time of 27.890 seconds, 193.618 mph. This Sunday will be his only fourth top-10 start this season and hopes to get another solid finish to capture his third consecutive top-10 finish. It'll be his 15th top-10 start inside the top-10 at the 1.5-mile oval.

With 45 cars showing up this weekend, that means two drivers went home following qualifying, which was Dave Blaney and J.J. Yeley.