Sheldon Creed opens 2021 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Playoffs with win at Gateway: Sheldon Creed dominated the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Playoff opener, the Toyota 200 presented by CK Power at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway, sweeping both stages and leading 142 of 163 laps to take the victory Friday night in overtime.(Read More)(8-20-2021)
#2-Sheldon Creed dominated the Toyota 200 presented by CK Power NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at World Wide Technology Raceway Friday night, winning the first race of the Playoffs and locking himself into the Round of 8.
Creed paced the field for 142 of the 163 laps en route to victory. The win is his second of the season, second win at Gateway, and the seventh of his career.
Creed won stages 1 and 2 and appeared to be on his way to his second straight win at World Wide Technology Raceway, but a late caution forced the race to go into overtime. Creed chose the outside lane while #88-Matt Crafton took the restart from the inside. Creed pulled ahead as he had all night, and set the pace for the final two laps.
Crafton finished second , followed by #99-Ben Rhodes, #52-Stewart Friesen, #13-Johnny Sauter, #23-Chase Purdy, #1-Hailie Deegan, #42-Carson Hocevar, #22-Austin Wayne Self, and #24-Jack Wood. Deegan’s seventh place finish was her first career top-10, making her only the fourth woman to earn a top-10 in truck competition.
Many Playoff drivers had issues throughout the night at the Illinois racetrack. #18-Chandler Smith (rear hub) and #21-Zane Smith (transmission) had mechanical issues in the opening stages. Just as stage 3 got underway, #16-Austin Hill, #38-Todd Gilliland, #42-Carson Hocevar were involved in a multi-truck accident.
With 30 laps remaining, regular season champion #4-John Hunter Nemechek pulled behind the wall after he reported that “something broke.” The something he referred to turned out to be a brake rotor.
The night was not just a challenging one for the Playoff drivers, but the racetrack itself. The race fell under a red flag period just shy of an hour after a fire outside of the racetrack knocked out power. With some lights and timing and scoring down, the race was halted while crews restored power.
There were five lead changes among three drivers and eight cautions for 37 yellow flag laps.
The average speed of the race was: 80.684mph.
See race details at: Race Results, Drivers Points Standings, Owners Points Standings, Cumulative Report, Penalty Report.
Race Fast Facts – WWT Raceway at Gateway
Sheldon Creed (P) won the 8th Annual Toyota 200 presented by CK Power, his seventh victory in 69th NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races.
This is his second victory and eighth top-10 finish in 2021.
This is his second victory and third top-10 finish in three races at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway.
Matt Crafton (P) (second) posted his 10th top-10 finish in 18 races at World Wide Technology Raceway
at Gateway. It is his eighth top-10 finish in 2021.
Ben Rhodes (P) (third) posted his fourth top-10 finish in six races at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway.
Hailie Deegan (seventh) was the highest finishing rookie. Hailie Deegan’s seventh-place finish at Gateway is the third-best finish by a female competitor in NASCAR Camping World Truck Series history and she becomes the fourth different female to finish inside the top-10 all-time in the series joining Natalie Decker (fifth at Daytona, 2020), Jennifer Jo Cobb (sixth at Daytona, 2011) and Angela Ruch (eighth at Daytona, 2019).
(NASCAR)(8-20-2021)
Truck Series Playoff Standings after WWT Raceway at Gateway:
Two races remain in the Round of 10
1) #2-Sheldon Creed, Round of 10 win
2) #4-John Hunter Nemechek, 2073 (+55)
3) #99-Ben Rhodes, 2070, (+52)
4) #88-Matt Crafton, 2051, (+33)
5) #52-Stewart Friesen, 2049, (+31)
6) #16-Austin Hill, 2039, (+21)
7) #42-Carson Hocevar, 2031, (+13)
8) #38- Todd Gilliland, 2028, (+10)
Outside of the next round of the Playoffs
9) #21-Zane Smith, 2018, (-10)
10) #18-Chandler Smith, 2010, (-18)
See the See the Drivers Points Standings and Owners Points Standings
Crew Rosters
Pit Stall selections
#16-Austin Hill will start from the Cometic Gasket pole for the Toyota 200 presented by CK Power NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at World Wide Technology Raceway. #4-John Hunter Nemechek will start second. #38-Todd Gilliland, #2-Sheldon Creed, #21-Zane Smith, #42-Carson Hocevar, #99-Ben Rhodes, #18-Christian Eckes, #52-Stewart Friesen and #88-Matt Crafton.
See the complete Toyota 200 presented by CK Power Starting Lineup page.(8-18-2021)
Goodyear Tire Notes
The Entry List for the Toyota 200 presented by CK Power NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at World Wide Technology Raceway is posted, 40 teams/drivers [for 40 spots] are listed.
Originally, 42 trucks were entered, but two drivers were eliminated based on entries; the #31-Chris Hacker and #68-Clay Greenfield.
See the full entry list on the Entry List page
