Trackin’ Trucks: Austin Hill Wins at Las Vegas

Credit: Debbie Ross for Skirts and Scuffs

Austin Hill earned his third victory of the Gander Outdoors Truck Series season on Friday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, clinching his place in the Round of 6 of the series Playoffs.

Hill led 29 of 134 laps and held off Ross Chastain by more than two seconds during the World of Westgate 200, in which many of the Playoff contenders faced troubles that eliminated them from advancing into the second round.

 “This means the world to me,’’ Hill said,  “When I saw the 45 (Chastain) in my sights, we were running close lap times. I changed my line a little bit. And that was a big statement win.’’

Chastain finished second after leading a race-high 88 laps, Christian Eckes finished third, followed by Sheldon Creed and Todd Gilliland.

Regular season champion Grant Enfinger saw his title hopes end early when his engine blew on Lap 7.

“It’s just frustrating,’’ Enfinger said. “These guys work their tails off all year. We had a good truck, just wasn’t meant to be.”

ThorSport teammates Johnny Sauter and Matt Crafton also blew their engines simultaneously on Lap 40, which effectively ended Sauter’s chances of advancing into the next round.

Stewart Friesen advances despite finishing in the 19th position. Friesen went down a cylinder, but managed to finish the race for a top 20.

A Look Ahead Into The Playoffs

The Gander Outdoors Truck Series kick off the Round of 6 of the Playoffs on Saturday, October 12, 2019 at Talladega Superspeedway.

Crafton is looking for his first win of the season to secure his ticket for the Championship 4 at Homestead-Miami.

Who will earn a victory on October 12th? Find out at 1:30 p.m./ET on Fox Sports 1.

Those advancing into the Round of 6 are:

1. Brett Moffitt
2. Austin Hill
3. Ross Chastain
4. Stewart Friesen
5. Matt Crafton
6. Tyler Ankrum