Enfinger: Chance at Championship ‘Just Wasn’t Meant to Be’

By Seth Eggert, Staff Writer

A chance at a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Championship was one restart away for Grant Enfinger. Circumstances kept him out of victory lane and ultimately out of the Championship Four.

On the final restart, Enfinger’s No. 98 Protect the Harvest / Curb Records Ford F-150 lined up alongside race leader, and Playoff contender, Noah Gragson. As the field dived into turn one of the reconfigured ISM Raceway, Brett Moffitt, another Playoff contender dove deep to the inside.

Moffitt emerged with the lead as Enfinger and Gragson dueled for second. Over the final three laps, he slipped to finish fourth in the Lucas Oil 150.

Enfinger entered ISM Raceway in a must-win situation. Throughout the race, he slowly worked his way up through the field. With 30 laps to go, Enfinger hounded John Hunter Nemechek for the lead. On lap 128, Nemechek spun from the lead, handing the ThorSport Racing driver the lead. Although Enfinger inherited the lead, the caution eliminated any advantage he had.

“We didn’t have the speed to get it done tonight,” Enfinger admitted. “We actually had a really good Ford F-150. That was just all we had. A really good friend of mine, JB, he’s in a bad situation, I wanted to bring that win home for him, and for all of these guys that worked so hard all year, but it just wasn’t meant to be.

“I’m really proud of this year. We’re not running for a championship next week, but it wasn’t for lack of effort, we’ve come a long way, and I’m proud of everything.”

The fourth-place finish was the sixth top-five for Enfinger this season. However, he failed to gain points on Gragson, who held the cutoff for the Championship Four. When the checkered flag waved, Enfinger was 27-Points behind the cutoff.

Now Enfinger will go to Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway with the opportunity to play the role of spoiler.