{"id":16990,"date":"2018-05-04T19:45:47","date_gmt":"2018-05-05T00:45:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=16990"},"modified":"2018-05-04T21:58:03","modified_gmt":"2018-05-05T02:58:03","slug":"johnny-sauter-gets-dramatic-nascar-truck-series-win-at-dover","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2018\/05\/04\/johnny-sauter-gets-dramatic-nascar-truck-series-win-at-dover\/","title":{"rendered":"Johnny Sauter gets dramatic NASCAR Truck Series win at Dover"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"

Johnny Sauter, driver of the #21 Allegiant Airlines Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series JEGS 200 at Dover International Speedway on May 4, 2018 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

DOVER, Del. \u2013 After what had happened moments earlier, Johnny Sauter\u2019s<\/strong> victory in a two-lap overtime shootout seemed almost routine by comparison.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Johnny Sauter, driver of the #21 Allegiant Airlines Chevrolet, takes the checkered flag to win the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series JEGS 200 at Dover International Speedway on May 4, 2018 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Robert Laberge\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

Sauter, who turned 40 on May 1, held off fellow 40-something Matt Crafton<\/strong> to win Friday\u2019s JEGS 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series<\/a> race at Dover International Speedway<\/strong>\u2014but not until Sauter won an intense struggle against pole winner Noah Gragson<\/strong>, whose race ended on the next-to-last lap of regulation when his No. 18 Toyota backed hard into the outside wall.<\/p>\n

The victory was Sauter\u2019s second straight at Dover, his second of the season and the 19th of his career. And it came during a bittersweet week for GMS Racing, after Spencer Gallagher, the son of team owner Maury Gallagher, won his first NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Talladega and on Tuesday was suspended indefinitely for a violation of NASCAR\u2019s substance abuse policy.<\/p>\n

\u201cTough week for the Gallagher family\u2014this one\u2019s for Spencer,\u201d Sauter said. \u201cHe\u2019s a smart kid, and he\u2019ll get it right.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"

Johnny Sauter, driver of the #21 Allegiant Airlines Chevrolet, poses with the trophy after winning the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series JEGS 200 at Dover International Speedway on May 4, 2018 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

Gragson grabbed the lead from Sauter one circuit after a restart on Lap 188 of a scheduled 200, but Sauter wasn\u2019t finished. With six laps left, Sauter got a strong run to the outside, but Gragson cut him off, and Sauter\u2019s No. 21 Chevrolet tapped the wall.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had to work for this one today,\u201d Sauter said. \u201cNoah, I had a good run on him there, and he squeezed me off. And I was like, \u2018He just gave me the green light to be aggressive.\u2019 This was just hard racing right there.\u201d<\/p>\n

The drivers were racing side-by-side for the lead coming to the white flag when Gragson\u2019s attempt to side-draft Sauter\u2019s Silverado went awry. Gragson lost control and crashed, destroying the rear end of his Kyle Busch Motorsports Tundra.<\/p>\n

Gragson, who won\u2019t turn 20 until July 15, was disconsolate when he left the infield care center after the wreck.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Noah Gragson, driver of the #18 Safelite Toyota, takes the green flag to start the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series JEGS 200 at Dover International Speedway on May 4, 2018 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Robert Laberge\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cI\u2019m really disappointed in myself,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s just a racing deal. These things are so hard to win, and I was so close to getting my first win (of the season). I went up to side-draft him and got pointed to the inside wall and went up to side-draft him again\u2014and it was just a racing deal.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot the way I try to race people. I take full responsibility in that right there. It was a hundred percent my fault. It\u2019s just unacceptable on my part. Man, I was so close to winning. All I can think about is just the mistake I made. I really wanted to get that monster (trophy). This is such a bad-ass track, and not to be able to get it done\u2026 I\u2019m just devastated.\u201d<\/p>\n

After Gragson\u2019s wreck and subsequent cleanup, the race restarted on Lap 209. Crafton got an excellent restart and held his own against Sauter through the first two corners but couldn\u2019t clear him. Sauter then pulled out to a two car-length lead and took the checkered flag a lap later.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Matt Crafton, driver of the #88 Chi-Chi’s\/Menards Ford, pits during the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series JEGS 200 at Dover International Speedway on May 4, 2018 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cWe just did not have short-run speed,\u201d said the 41-year-old Crafton. \u201cFor whatever reason, it would just not fire off. I had a really good restart there at the end, and I moved him up as far as I could. I was waiting for Stevie (Reeves), the spotter to tell me, \u2018Clear, clear.\u2019 I knew I was close, real close.<\/p>\n

\u201cJohnny turned 40 this week, so he\u2019s part of the old man crew, and we got a lot of flak this week by being the 40-year-olds, but the 40-year-olds showed the kids how to do it, I guess.\u201d<\/p>\n

One of those kids, 19-year-old Justin Haley, ran a solid, consistent third. David Gilliland came home fourth in his second start of the season, and Harrison Burton finished fifth. Cody Coughlin, Joe Nemechek, Ben Rhodes, Jesse Little and Todd Gilliland (David\u2019s son) completed the top 10.<\/p>\n

Sauter extended his series lead to 51 points over second-place Rhodes and 58 over third-place Gragson.<\/p>\n

Media Center Interview:<\/b><\/h3>\n

Johnny Sauter –<\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/PostNCWTS_Dover_JShear_MBeam_JSauter_050418.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

 <\/p>\n

Matt Crafton and Justin Haley – <\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/PostNCWTS_Dover_MCrafton_JHaley_050418.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

 <\/p>\n

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Race – JEGS 200<\/b><\/p>\n

Dover International Speedway<\/b><\/p>\n

Dover, Delaware<\/b><\/p>\n

Friday, May 4, 2018<\/b><\/p>\n

                 1. (2) Johnny Sauter, Chevrolet, 210.<\/p>\n

                 2. (10) Matt Crafton, Ford, 210.<\/p>\n

                 3. (4) Justin Haley, Chevrolet, 210.<\/p>\n

                 4. (9) David Gilliland, Toyota, 210.<\/p>\n

                 5. (17) Harrison Burton, Toyota, 210.<\/p>\n

                 6. (18) Cody Coughlin, Chevrolet, 210.<\/p>\n

                 7. (16) Joe Nemechek, Chevrolet, 210.<\/p>\n

                 8. (8) Ben Rhodes, Ford, 210.<\/p>\n

                 9. (5) Jesse Little, Ford, 210.<\/p>\n

                 10. (3) Todd Gilliland #, Toyota, 209.<\/p>\n

                 11. (15) Myatt Snider #, Ford, 209.<\/p>\n

                 12. (12) Brett Moffitt, Toyota, 209.<\/p>\n

                 13. (11) Dalton Sargeant #, Chevrolet, 209.<\/p>\n

                 14. (13) Grant Enfinger, Ford, 208.<\/p>\n

                 15. (21) Austin Wayne Self, Chevrolet, 208.<\/p>\n

                 16. (20) Tanner Thorson, Chevrolet, 207.<\/p>\n

                 17. (24) Wendell Chavous, Chevrolet, 206.<\/p>\n

                 18. (19) Jordan Anderson, Chevrolet, 206.<\/p>\n

                 19. (22) Justin Fontaine #, Chevrolet, 204.<\/p>\n

                 20. (1) Noah Gragson, Toyota, Accident, 198.<\/p>\n

                 21. (23) Korbin Forrister, Toyota, 197.<\/p>\n

                 22. (30) Jennifer Jo Cobb, Chevrolet, 194.<\/p>\n

                 23. (7) Stewart Friesen, Chevrolet, Accident, 153.<\/p>\n

                 24. (28) Mike Harmon(i), Chevrolet, Suspension, 129.<\/p>\n

                 25. (27) Josh Reaume, Toyota, Parked, 124.<\/p>\n

                 26. (25) Bayley Currey, Chevrolet, Suspension, 122.<\/p>\n

                 27. (31) Norm Benning, Chevrolet, Parked, 120.<\/p>\n

                 28. (6) Parker Kligerman, Chevrolet, Oil Cooler, 86.<\/p>\n

                 29. (29) Camden Murphy, Chevrolet, Vibration, 58.<\/p>\n

                 30. (26) Reed Sorenson(i), Chevrolet, Vibration, 15.<\/p>\n

                 31. (14) Austin Hill, Chevrolet, Accident, 13.<\/p>\n

                 32. (32) Todd Peck, Chevrolet, Rear End, 7.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Average Speed of Race Winner:  98.386 mph.<\/p>\n

Time of Race:  2 Hrs, 08 Mins, 04 Secs. Margin of Victory:  0.533 Seconds.<\/p>\n

Caution Flags:  7 for 46 laps.<\/p>\n

Lead Changes:  8 among 4 drivers.<\/p>\n

Lap Leaders:   N. Gragson 1-49; P. Kligerman 50-60; J. Sauter 61-121; J. Little 122-123; J. Sauter 124-186; N. Gragson 187; J. Sauter 188; N. Gragson 189-198; J. Sauter 199-210.<\/p>\n

Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led):  J. Sauter 4 times for 137 laps; N. Gragson 3 times for 60 laps; P. Kligerman 1 time for 11 laps; J. Little 1 time for 2 laps.<\/p>\n

Stage #1 Top Ten: 18,4,24,21,97,41,88,54,8,52<\/p>\n

Stage #2 Top Ten: 21,24,88,18,97,41,51,4,54,13<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  By Reid Spencer, NASCAR Wire Service DOVER, Del. \u2013 After what had happened moments earlier, Johnny Sauter\u2019s victory in a two-lap overtime shootout seemed almost routine by comparison. Sauter, who turned 40 on May 1, held off fellow 40-something Matt Crafton to win Friday\u2019s JEGS 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Dover International […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16997,"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":[222,370,16,160,268],"class_list":["post-16990","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nascar","tag-dover-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\/05\/NCWTS_Dover_TrophySauter_050418.jpg?fit=4073%2C2862","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7hzTZ-4q2","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16990","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=16990"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16990\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16998,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16990\/revisions\/16998"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16997"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16990"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16990"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16990"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}