Up to Speed: Stratosphere 200 at Las Vegas

By Seth Eggert, Staff Writer

It’s on to the next race for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. The Series shifts out West for the first of two tripleheaders at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Teams using the NT1 Spec Engine versus those using OEM engines, Kyle Busch’s second appearance of the season, and stage racing are just some of the storylines heading into the second race of the season at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Coverage for the Stratosphere 200 is scheduled to start Friday night at 9:00 p.m. ET. 2018 marks the 22^nd straight season in which Las Vegas Motor Speedway has been on the Truck Series schedule, but this is the first season in which the Series visits the Speedway twice. In 21 races at the 1.5-mile tri-oval, 19 drivers have claimed victory. The last 11 races at Las Vegas have produced 11 different winners.

The last time the Truck Series visited Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Ben Rhodes broke through for his first career victory in exciting fashion. He had to hold off fellow Playoff competitor Christopher Bell, winning by just 0.066 seconds. Rhodes is also the only driver to finish in the top-five last year competing in this weekend’s race. Rhodes and Johnny Sauter are the only former winners entered in Friday’s race.

By the Numbers

What: Stratosphere 200, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Race Three

Where: Las Vegas Motor Speedway – Las Vegas, Nevada (Opened: 1996)

TV/Radio: Fox Sports 1, 9:00 p.m. ET / MRN and SiriusXM Channel 90

Track Size: 1.5-mile D-Shaped Oval

Banking: 12-20 degrees in turns

Race Length: 134 Laps, 200 Miles (Three Stages, 30/60/134)

2017 Race Winner: Ben Rhodes – No. 27 Safelite Auto Glass Toyota Tundra (Started sixth, 20 laps led).

Track Qualifying Record: Mike Skinner (30.326 seconds, 178.065 mph – 2006).

Storylines Heading Into the Stratosphere 200:

There are several storylines going into this weekend’s race to watch for:

• Mike Senica will attempt his first start of the season in the No. 0 Betty Lou’s / P3 Power Products Chevrolet Silverado for Jennifer Jo Cobb Racing.
• Spencer Davis moves to the No. 51 JBL / SiriusXM Toyota Tundra for Kyle Busch Motorsports.
• John Hunter Nemechek returns in the No. 8 Chevrolet Silverado for NEMCO Motorsports.
• Michel Disdier will attempt his first start of the season in the No. 20 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado.
• Josh Reaume will be in the No. 33 Gnarly Jerky Chevrolet Silverado for Reaume Brothers Racing.
• Kyle Busch moves to the No. 51 Cessna Toyota Tundra for Kyle Busch Motorsports. This will be Busch’s first attempt at a Triple-header sweep this weekend, and his first Vegas Truck start since 2001.
• Justin Marks returns to the Series for his first race since 2016. Marks in the No. 54 David Gilliland Racing – CROSLEY Group Toyota Tundra for his first Las Vegas Truck race since 2008.
• Bayley Currey will attempt his first start of the season in the No. 63 Chevrolet Silverado for MB Motorsports.
• Joe Nemechek moves back to the No. 87 Chevrolet Silverado for NEMCO Motorsports.

Weekend Schedule (All Times Eastern)

Thursday, March 1

• NCWTS Practice 1 (5:05 p.m. – 5:55 p.m.)
• NCWTS Practice 2 (7:05 p.m. – 7:55 p.m.)

Friday, March 2

• NCWTS Qualifying (6:05 p.m.)
• NCWTS Stratosphere 200 (9:00 p.m. – 134 laps, 200 miles – on Fox Sports 1, SiriusXM Channel 90, and the Motor Racing Network)