Trackin' Trucks: Noah Gragson earns first win at Martinsville

Noah Gragson climbs the catchfence after winning at Martinsville.
Credit: Debbie Ross for Skirts and Scuffs

by Courtney Horn

Noah Gragson earned his first career Camping World Truck Series victory Saturday afternoon during the Texas Roadhouse 200 at Martinsville Speedway, leading 10 laps and playing spoiler in the CWTS Playoffs.

Gragson made some impressive moves that lead the Rookie of the Year contender to the win. Gragson started fifth and took the lead on Lap 191 after a great restart alongside veteran Matt Crafton.

“We got that caution there at the end, and you can’t pass on the outside in Martinsville – and I did it,” Gragson said. “To be racing here in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, it’s a privilege and all those hours of hard work…

“I knew to myself this morning, I knew I could get it done. I’ve known it this whole year, and I told myself I’m going to get that trophy today, and that’s what we did.”

Gragson parked his No. 18 Toyota on the frontstretch and climbed the catchfence in celebration.

John Hunter Nemechek took another hit to his championship chances in the first race of the Round of 6. Nemechek was running in the 16th position when he smacked the outside wall of Turn 2 with no brakes.

Matt Crafton finished second after a dominating performance, leading 102 laps and securing the Stage 1 win. Johnny Sauter, who won Stage 2, finished third. Harrison Burton and Todd Gilliland rounded out the top five.

Points-leader Christopher Bell battled back from a mid-race spin to secure his 18th top 10 of the 2017 season. Bell, who was leading, spun on Lap 122 after a bump from Crafton. Bell recovered to finish eighth.

A Look Forward Into The Playoffs

The Camping World Truck Series head to Texas Motor Speedway on Friday, November 3, 2017.

Sauter is the defending winner of the race, while Nemechek is in a must-win situation to secure his place in the Final 4 at Homestead.Who will be victorious?

Find out November 3rd at 8 p.m ET on Fox Sports 1.

Trackin' Trucks: Noah Gragson earns first win at Martinsville Trackin' Trucks: Noah Gragson earns first win at Martinsville Reviewed by Anonymous on Saturday, October 28, 2017 Rating: 5