NCWTS Championship implications at play at Kentucky Speedway

Kligerman signs for fans in the garage on Friday afternoon
Katy Lindamood for Skirts and Scuffs 

43 points separate NASCAR Camping World Truck Series points leader Ty Dillon and fifth place contender Matt Crafton. With just seven races left on the schedule it’s time for the top contenders to put their game faces on and fight it out to the series finale in Homestead.

Tonight the field takes the green flag at Kentucky Speedway for the 13th Annual Kentucky 201. Will we see a shake up atop the standings? Will we see another first time winner? Here are a few drivers to keep you eyes on tonight. Any one of them has a shot at winning and for some that win could be the beginning of their march toward the Championship.

Parker Kligerman has only been with Red Horse Racing for a few weeks but he’s been a bright star for the team as of late. Earning top-five finishes in three of the last four races, Kligerman is just 31 points behind Dillon. Fast times in both practice sessions and a top-five qualifying run make him a contender for the win tonight. Should Kligerman win tonight, it will be his first victory in the series.

Timothy Peters and James Buescher are only eight and 11 points behind the leader heading into the 16th race of the season. It’s within their grasp, but a win would help them gain or even surpass Dillon, depending on how he performs. Peters will start 13th and Buescher starts eighth.

Miguel Paludo has some making up to do tonight. His Turner Motorsport teammate Nelson Piquet Jr. won several weeks ago at Michigan putting to end the debate over which Brazilian-born driver would take the checkers first. Paludo has had strong runs in 2012 but has yet to find victory lane. Paludo finished 12th the last time the series was at Kentucky and will start 12th tonight.

A couple of guys who could throw a wrench into things are Richard Childress Racing’s crew. Both drivers qualified in the top five and Dillon has a championship on the line. Joey Coulter starts from the pole and Ty Dillon starts third. Both have one win this season.

Of course you can never count out veterans like Sauter, Hornaday, and Crafton. All are hungry for a win. One thing you can be for sure on is a NCWTS regular will win tonight since all the Cup guys are in Loudon.