The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series came to play at Homestead Miami Speedway tonight, to decide the 2016 series champion. Four drivers Johnny Sauter, Matt Crafton, Timothy Peters, and Christopher Bell were looking to become champion at the end of the night.
William Byron and Cole Custer led the field to green. Byron was able to get the advantage right away in turn 1. While Custer had to settle in for second, but kept close behind Byron. Then came Kyle Larson, which made it a three wide battle for the lead. The first caution came out early, though, as Stewart Friesen spun off turn two on lap 13. The leaders hit pit road, while Byron won the race off pit road.
Byron and Matt Crafton took the restart on lap 19. Crafton was able to pull away from Byron, but Larson started to challenge for the lead. Just four laps later, Larson took the lead down the backstretch. He was able to hold the lead until the second caution on lap 41. Patrick Staropoli spun once again off turn two.
Restart lap 47, Reddick and Crafton battled for the lead in to turn one. This time, Crafton was able to take the lead. But as seen earlier, Larson regained the lead a few laps later on lap 54. The race went clean and green until the third caution on lap 82. Staropoli brought out the caution once more. Leaders hit pit road for four tires, fuel, and adjustments. Larson maintained the lead after the pit stops.
With 48 to go for the restart, the action started to heat up. Larson and Crafton battled hard for the lead down the backstretch. After Larson pulled away, Johnny Sauter started to battle Crafton for the championship lead with 39 to go. But a caution came out with 25 to go, as Staropoli smacked the wall. The leaders hit pit road once more, with drivers playing strategy, Reddick won the race off pit road by taking two tires.
The race went back green with 20 to go, Reddick and Crafton were on the front row. Larson with a strong truck, passed both of them for the lead. Larson maintained the lead, while Sauter and Crafton battled hard for the truck series championship. Action started to heat up with 18 to go. Byron made a thrilling move down the backstretch for second place. Crafton saw his championship hopes start to slip away, as Sauter passed him for the point lead with 16 to go.
William Byron took the lead away from Reddick, with 10 to go. He was able to hold off Reddick to win his seventh race of the season. While that happened, Johnny Sauter fended off Matt Crafton to win his first truck series championship.
This was Byron's 7th win of the season.
Byron claimed Rookie Of The Year Honors, as well as, the owners championship for Kyle Busch Motorsports.
Byron led 6 times for 31 laps.
There were 5 leaders among 15 lead changes.
There were 4 cautions for 18 laps.
Final Four Championship Results
(3rd) Johnny Sauter
(7th) Matt Crafton
(8th) Christopher Bell
(9th) Timothy Peters
Next Race: NextEra Energy Resources 250 at Daytona International Speedway on February 24th, 2017.
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