Trackin’ Trucks: Johnny Sauter wins at Dover

Johnny Sauter celebrates in Victory Lane at Dover.

Credit: Jonathan Ferrey

by Courtney Horn

Johnny Sauter earned his first win of the season at Dover International Speedway after leading 33 laps and holding off a charging Kaz Grala during the final stage of the Bar Harbor 200.

“This is just one of those places, never won here before. It’s a place I’ve always, always enjoyed coming to.” Sauter said, “I said earlier in the day this place is a feather in your cap if you can win at a place like this just because it’s so demanding.”

Grala, 18, finished second after receiving his high school diploma at the track during opening ceremonies.

“This was clearly a big day not only for me in my school life but for my racing life too.” Grala said, “I kinda lead two lives, so this was a big day all around.”

Christopher Bell, who was second in points ahead of Dover, spun and made contact with the wall after a right rear tire went down on his No. 4 Toyota Tundra. Bell also suffered splitter damage and was unable to return. He finished 25th.

Ryan Truex led 47 laps and earned the Stage 1 win toward a 10th-place finish while Matt Crafton took the second stage with 46 laps led and an 11th-place finish.

John Hunter Nemechek brought out the sixth caution of the evening at the end of Stage 2. Nemechek got loose and collected the No. 75 of Parker Klingerman. T.J. Bell was also involved in the incident.

Todd Gilliland made his Camping World Truck Series debut and was running up front for much of the night before he made contact with the wall on Lap 117. He earned a 20th-place finish despite the crash ending his day. Gilliland will return to the series in two weeks and will race the No. 51 for Kyle Busch Motorsports.

A Look Ahead 

The Camping World Truck Series heads to Texas Motor Speedway where Timothy Peters will return to the series. Peters was left without a ride for Dover after his former team, Red Horse Racing, closed its doors on May 22nd.

Peters will pilot the No. 99 for MDM Racing with Shane Huffman serving as the crew chief. Peters was just eight races shy of logging 200 consecutive races in the Truck Series.

The action beings next Friday, June 9, 2017, at 8 p.m ET on Fox Sports 1.