{"id":14697,"date":"2018-02-16T23:18:56","date_gmt":"2018-02-17T05:18:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=14697"},"modified":"2018-02-16T23:18:56","modified_gmt":"2018-02-17T05:18:56","slug":"johnny-sauter-asserts-plate-track-dominance-with-daytona-win","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2018\/02\/16\/johnny-sauter-asserts-plate-track-dominance-with-daytona-win\/","title":{"rendered":"Johnny Sauter asserts plate-track dominance with Daytona win"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"

Johnny Sauter, driver of the #21 Allegiant Airlines Chevrolet, celebrates in Victory Land after winning the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series NextEra Energy Resources 250 at Daytona International Speedway on February 16, 2018 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

By Reid Spencer, NASCAR Wire Service<\/em><\/p>\n

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. \u2013 In a race that produced seven cautions for 35 laps and left 21 trucks running at the finish, Johnny Sauter<\/strong> held off Justin Haley<\/strong> by .098 seconds at Daytona International Speedway to win Friday night\u2019s NextEra Energy Resources 250, the season-opener for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Johnny Sauter, driver of the #21 Allegiant Airlines Chevrolet, poses with the winners sticker after winning the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series NextEra Energy Resources 250 at Daytona International Speedway on February 16, 2018 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

Sauter grabbed the lead from pole winner David Gilliland on Lap 92 of 100 and stayed out front the rest of the way. The victory was Sauter\u2019s third at Daytona and 18th of his career.<\/p>\n

The 2016 series champion dedicated the win to his crew chief Joe Shear, whose wife, Chandra Shear, passed away in December. The race performance of both driver and crew was impeccable.<\/p>\n

\u201cI felt like we executed flawlessly,\u201d Sauter said. \u201cI don\u2019t even remember the pass for the lead. We had good track position and we lost it a couple times. I\u2019m just so thankful to be driving this truck. This is best group of guys I\u2019ve ever been around, and it\u2019s great to start the season off like this.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just felt comfortable today and I don\u2019t even know why. I didn\u2019t have one nerve. I just felt like this was our day.\u201d<\/p>\n

As he watched Sauter close in on the victory, Shear was overcome with emotion.<\/p>\n

\"\"

David Gilliland, driver of the #4 Pedigree Toyota, takes the green flag to start the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series NextEra Energy Resources 250 at Daytona International Speedway on February 16, 2018 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Sarah Crabill\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cThis is very, very, very special,\u201d Shear said. \u201cI don\u2019t know if a lot of people know, but I lost my wife in December. She\u2019s looking down on us. She was in love with racing just as much as I was.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe was looking over us and helped us to this win. And I\u2019m so grateful to be in the position that I\u2019m at and have these people around me. This means so much. I\u2019ll never forget this one.\u201d<\/p>\n

Haley had the lead for a restart on Lap 87 but surrendered it to Gilliland on Lap 91. One lap later, Sauter surged past Gilliland into the top spot. A lap after that, Gilliland slapped the outside wall on the approach to Turn 1 and brought his car to pit road, finishing 21st, four laps down.<\/p>\n

\u201cThose final laps were crazy,\u201d Haley said. \u201cI finally got shuffled back a little bit there on the last lap, and there wasn\u2019t that much energy on the high side.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"

Johnny Sauter, driver of the #21 Allegiant Airlines Chevrolet, and Clay Greenfield, driver of the #68 AMVETS Please Stand Chevrolet, race during the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series NextEra Energy Resources 250 at Daytona International Speedway on February 16, 2018 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

Veteran Joe Nemechek came home third, followed by Ben Rhodes and Scott Lagasse Jr., who took the white flag in second place but couldn\u2019t mount a charge against Sauter on the final lap.<\/p>\n

John Hunter Nemechek wasn\u2019t as fortunate. After leading for a restart on Lap 70, he picked up a tire rub trying to block a run from Ben Rhodes on the outside, and on Lap 73, his right rear tire exploded, ripping apart the entire wheel well and triggering a seven-truck accident that knocked Brett Moffitt, Stewart Friesen and Myatt Snider out of the race.<\/p>\n

Grant Enfinger finished sixth, ahead of Spencer Davis, Dalton Sergeant, Jordan Anderson and Justin Fontaine. Two-time series champion Matt Crafton was part of a five-truck wreck on Lap 82 and ran 19th in his heavily damaged No. 88 ThorSport Racing Ford.<\/p>\n

Note:<\/strong> Sauter used one of the fuel-injected spec engines available to series competitors this season and applauded NASCAR for making the lower-cost option available to Truck Series teams.<\/p>\n

Media Center Interviews:<\/h3>\n

Johnny Sauter – <\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/DIS_NCWTS_Sauter_Shear_Gallagher_021618-1.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

 <\/p>\n

Justin Haley – <\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/DIS_NCWTS_Haley_021618.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe Nemechek – <\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/DIS_NCWTS_Nemechek_Lagasse_021618.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

 <\/p>\n

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Race – NextEra Energy Resources 250<\/strong><\/p>\n

Daytona International Speedway<\/strong><\/p>\n

Daytona Beach, Florida<\/strong><\/p>\n

Friday, February 16, 2018<\/strong><\/p>\n

               1. (2) Johnny Sauter, Chevrolet, 100.<\/p>\n

               2. (12) Justin Haley, Chevrolet, 100.<\/p>\n

               3. (13) Joe Nemechek, Chevrolet, 100.<\/p>\n

               4. (24) Ben Rhodes, Ford, 100.<\/p>\n

               5. (18) Scott Lagasse Jr.(i), Chevrolet, 100.<\/p>\n

               6. (7) Grant Enfinger, Ford, 100.<\/p>\n

               7. (8) Spencer Davis, Toyota, 100.<\/p>\n

               8. (4) Dalton Sargeant #, Chevrolet, 100.<\/p>\n

               9. (28) Jordan Anderson, Toyota, 100.<\/p>\n

               10. (17) Justin Fontaine #, Chevrolet, 100.<\/p>\n

               11. (11) Austin Hill, Chevrolet, 100.<\/p>\n

               12. (30) Wendell Chavous, Chevrolet, 100.<\/p>\n

               13. (29) Norm Benning, Chevrolet, 100.<\/p>\n

               14. (25) Robby Lyons, Chevrolet, 100.<\/p>\n

               15. (31) Scott Stenzel, Chevrolet, 100.<\/p>\n

               16. (19) Korbin Forrister, Toyota, 99.<\/p>\n

               17. (10) Cody Coughlin, Chevrolet, 99.<\/p>\n

               18. (23) Bryan Dauzat, Chevrolet, 99.<\/p>\n

               19. (6) Matt Crafton, Ford, 97.<\/p>\n

               20. (15) Austin Wayne Self, Chevrolet, 97.<\/p>\n

               21. (1) David Gilliland, Toyota, 95.<\/p>\n

               22. (3) Clay Greenfield, Chevrolet, Accident, 81.<\/p>\n

               23. (5) Noah Gragson, Toyota, Accident, 79.<\/p>\n

               24. (20) Myatt Snider #, Ford, Accident, 73.<\/p>\n

               25. (14) John H. Nemechek(i), Chevrolet, Accident, 72.<\/p>\n

               26. (22) Brett Moffitt, Toyota, Accident, 72.<\/p>\n

               27. (9) Stewart Friesen, Chevrolet, Accident, 72.<\/p>\n

               28. (26) Parker Kligerman, Chevrolet, Accident, 66.<\/p>\n

               29. (21) Chris Fontaine, Chevrolet, Electrical, 65.<\/p>\n

               30. (16) Bo LeMastus #, Toyota, Accident, 63.<\/p>\n

               31. (27) Jennifer Jo Cobb, Chevrolet, Accident, 54.<\/p>\n

               32. (32) Travis Kvapil, Chevrolet, Engine, 2.<\/p>\n

Average Speed of Race Winner:  120.385 mph.<\/p>\n

Time of Race:  02 Hrs, 04 Mins, 36 Secs. Margin of Victory:  0.098 Seconds.<\/p>\n

Caution Flags:  7 for 35 laps.<\/p>\n

Lead Changes:  21 among 10 drivers.<\/p>\n

Lap Leaders:   D. Gilliland 1-2; J. Sauter 3-7; D. Gilliland 8-14; J. Sauter 15-16; D. Gilliland 17-22; J. Anderson 23; K. Forrister 24-25; N. Gragson 26; J. Sauter 27-42; S. Friesen 43; D. Gilliland 44-46; D. Sargeant # 47; G. Enfinger 48; D. Sargeant # 49; G. Enfinger 50; J. Nemechek(i) 51-58; J. Sauter 59-65; J. Nemechek(i) 66-70; D. Gilliland 71-81; J. Haley 82-90; D. Gilliland 91; J. Sauter 92-100.<\/p>\n

Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led):  J. Sauter 5 times for 39 laps; D. Gilliland 6 times for 30 laps; J. Nemechek(i) 2 times for 13 laps; J. Haley 1 time for 9 laps; D. Sargeant # 2 times for 2 laps; K. Forrister 1 time for 2 laps; G. Enfinger 2 times for 2 laps; N. Gragson 1 time for 1 lap; S. Friesen 1 time for 1 lap; J. Anderson 1 time for 1 lap.<\/p>\n

Stage #1 Top Ten: 4,21,25,68,98,8,13,88,18,2<\/p>\n

Stage #2 Top Ten: 21,52,4,2,88,24,75,7,8,51<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  By Reid Spencer, NASCAR Wire Service DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. \u2013 In a race that produced seven cautions for 35 laps and left 21 trucks running at the finish, Johnny Sauter held off Justin Haley by .098 seconds at Daytona International Speedway to win Friday night\u2019s NextEra Energy Resources 250, the season-opener for the NASCAR Camping […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14709,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[11],"tags":[287,370,16,160,268],"class_list":["post-14697","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nascar","tag-daytona-international-speedway","tag-johnny-sauter","tag-nascar","tag-nascar-camping-world-truck-series","tag-ncwts"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/DIS_NCWTS_Sticker_021618.jpg?fit=5008%2C3308","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7hzTZ-3P3","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14697","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14697"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14697\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14710,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14697\/revisions\/14710"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14709"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14697"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14697"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14697"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}