Justin Haley, 19 year old Indiana native, won his first NASCAR Truck race at Gateway Motorsports Park.
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“I’ve been dreaming about this since I was a little kid'” said Haley in the winner circle.
It took Haley 37 races before he won his first NASCAR Truck Race. He had raced at Gateway previously but it might not had been his favorite.
“I’ve been on the fence about this track,” said Haley. “But obviously it is now one of my favorites”
Todd Gilliland finished in second, posted his first top-10 finish in two races at Gateway Motorsports Park. Gilliland was also the highest finishing rookie. It is his fourth top-10 finish in 2018.
“I’m pretty happy where we finished,” said the slightly dejected second place finisher. “In qualifying we were super loose and to start the race also. I guess I need to communicate better what I need for the race”
Johnny Sauter finished in third and posted his seventh top 10 in seven races at Gateway Motorsports Park. Sauter leads the point standings by 73 points over Noah Gragson.
Noah Gragson, 19 year old, racing for Kyle Busch Motorsports was leading and in command before a late caution. Just Haley lined up next Gragson the restart and Haley got a push from Todd Gilliland propelled Haley to the lead but again caution came out again.
On the last restart with just two laps in the race, Haley was able to shoot the lead again and held on for the victory.
Near perfect weather for the third day of summer brought out a huge crowd, estimated at 20,000, to Gateway Motorsports Park.
Pole Sitter Grant Enfinger took the early lead and won stage one.
Christian Eckes started the race on the front row next to the pole sitter Grant Enfinger. Eckes was able to win the Stage two.
Post Race Press Conference with Justin Haley and his crew chief and spotter:
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Story by Kevin Proot / St. Louis Motor Racing News
Photos by Larry Vancil / St. Louis Motor Racing News
Final Race Results
Finish | Start | Driver | |
1 | 4 | Justin | Haley |
2 | 8 | Todd | Gilliland |
3 | 13 | Johnny | Sauter |
4 | 14 | Myatt | Snider |
5 | 10 | Zane | Smith |
6 | 20 | Chad | Finley |
7 | 9 | Jesse | Little |
8 | 17 | Riley | Herbst |
9 | 12 | Cody | Coughlin |
10 | 3 | Noah | Gragson |
11 | 19 | Austin | Hill |
12 | 24 | Kevin | Donahue |
13 | 16 | Stewart | Friesen |
14 | 11 | Brett | Moffitt |
15 | 22 | Wendell | Chavous |
16 | 25 | Austin | Self |
17 | 30 | Tyler | Matthews |
18 | 32 | Josh | Reaume |
19 | 5 | Ben | Rhodes |
20 | 6 | Matt | Crafton |
21 | 1 | Grant | Enfinger |
22 | 29 | Jennifer | Jo |
23 | 26 | Jordan | Anderson |
24 | 31 | Norm | Benning |
25 | 7 | John | Hunter |
26 | 21 | Justin | Fontaine |
27 | 15 | Tate | Fogleman |
28 | 2 | Christian | Eckes |
29 | 23 | Ross | Chastain(i) |
30 | 18 | Dalton | Sargeant |
31 | 28 | Bryant | Barnhill |
32 | 27 | Joe | Nemechek |