Johnny Sauter knew that Martinsville Speedway could be a turning point on his path to battling for a second Camping World Truck Series championship this fall.
He was right.
Sauter won Saturday’s Texas Roadhouse 200 Presented By Alpha Energy Solutions to clinch a spot in the series’ Championship 4 season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway next month. In dominant fashion, the now four-time Martinsville winner picked up two stage victories before besting Myatt Snider on a late-race restart secure his sixth win of the season.
“We’re going to Homestead; racing for a championship. That’s what it’s all about,” Sauter said in Gatorade Victory Lane. “I’m so proud of these guys. Pit stops were awesome. Track position seems to be the name of the game here anymore, and I’ve just got to thank everybody. This is a big win.”
Playoff driver Brett Moffitt finished second, Snider was third, Ben Rhodes came home fourth, and Kyle Benjamin rounded out the Top-5. Other notable finishes for playoff drivers included Justin Haley (6th), Noah Gragson (7th), Matt Crafton (13th), and Grant Enfinger (14th).
Enfinger ran into trouble on Lap 259 when he spun along with Chase Purdy, but managed to avoid any major damage. After pitting, the Fairhope, Alabama native was able to fight his way back into the Top-15 to finish the race.
With the triumph, Sauter became the winningest Camping World Truck Series driver at Martinsville Speedway in the series’ 23-year, 40-race history at the historic half-mile, surpassing Kevin Harvick, Dennis Setzer, and Mike Skinner with his fourth iconic Martinsville clock.
“My wife always tells me that we have four kids, we need four clocks so when you tip over we can give each kid a clock,” Sauter said. “This is just a special deal.”
The weekend of action at Martinsville Speedway culminates on Sunday with the First Data 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race. Tickets for the race may be purchased at the track ticket office on Sunday morning, over the phone at 877-RACETIX, or online at www.martinsvillespeedway.com.
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