By Seth Eggert, NASCAR Writer
The last time the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series visited Michigan International Speedway, Kyle Busch took home the victory in dramatic fashion, beating Ryan Blaney by just over a tenth of a second. Erik Jones was the highest finishing Truck Series regular in third.
The last time a contender for the Truck Series Championship took home the victory was in 2014 when Johnny Sauter took home the checkered flag. Sauter and Travis Kvapil are the only past winners in the field this weekend.
Truck Series Chase
13 races into the 2016 Camping World Truck Series Season, there have been eight different winners. Two of those winners, Kyle Busch and Kyle Larson, are not eligible for the Truck Series Chase. Matt Crafton, William Byron, John Hunter Nemechek, Johnny Sauter, Christopher Bell, and Ben Kennedy have all won at least one race, and are likely to be in the Chase thanks to those wins. Byron, who has five wins, is currently the only driver who is locked into the 2016 Truck Series Chase. Crafton with two wins, has likely boosted his odds of locking himself into the Truck Series Chase.
The reason why most drivers are not locked in as of now is the fact that only eight drivers will make the Truck Series Chase. Even with three races left in the regular season, there is still a possibility that the series will have more than eight winners that are Chase eligible.
The other drivers currently in the Chase on points are Daniel Hemric and Timothy Peters. Peters currently has a 29 point lead over Cole Custer, the first driver on the outside looking in.
What to Watch For
There are several storylines going into this weekend’s race to watch for:
- Many Truck Series regulars are looking at scoring their first win of the season and to lock themselves into the Truck Series Chase, while those with a win are looking for more security with their Chase position.
- Tyler Young returns to the No. 02 for Young’s Motorsports.
- Grant Enfinger will be in the No. 24 Chevrolet Silverado once again for GMS Racing.
- Cody Coughlin returns for another start in the No. 51 JEGS Toyota Tundra for Kyle Busch Motorsports.
- Enrique Contreras returns to the No. 71 Chevrolet Silverado for Contreras Motorsports.
- Ryan Truex returns in the No. 81 Toyota Tundra.
- Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender William Byron looks to increase his 53 point lead on teammate Christopher Bell. Meanwhile, Cole Custer, Ben Rhodes, and Rico Abreu continue to try to gain ground on the rookie point leaders.
- Points leader William Byron is looking to extend his 37 point lead over Daniel Hemric.
Where and When to Watch
Practice 1: Friday, August 26th, 1:30pm Eastern, Fox Sports 2
Practice 2: Friday, August 26th, 4:00pm Eastern, Fox Sports 2
Qualifying: Saturday, August 27th, 9:30am Eastern, Fox Sports 1
Race: Saturday, August 27th, 1:00pm Eastern, Fox Sports 1, SiriusXM Channel 90, MRN Radio
