The NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series will conclude the 2021 season at the Phoenix Raceway on Friday evening as the Championship 4 have been determined. Phoenix is a 1-mile dog-legged oval with 2 distinct ends of the raceway. Friday’s race will be 150 laps to make up the 150-mile advertised distance. Friday’s race is going to be a no holds bar leaving nothing on the table race and should be very entertaining. Practice and qualifying will take place for the events at Phoenix and we do not have the starting lineup at the moment.
Here are a few drivers to consider for the NASCAR Lucas Oil 150.
John Hunter Nemechek +250- Disappointing weekend for John and the guys at Kyle Busch Motorsports at Martinsville one week ago coming away with a 39th place finish after crashing. Good news is that John had secured a spot in the Championship 4 and has a chance at Phoenix on Friday night. John Hunter has 5 wins through 21 races on the Truck Series schedule here in 2021. John Hunter has 7 starts at Phoenix in the Truck Series, has come away with 4 top 10 finishes including 2 top 5 finishes. Solid favorite in Nemechek, could be out 2021 Truck Series at the end of the night.
Zane Smith +650- Smith secured a place in the Championship 4 last week at Martinsville by winning in dramatic fashion. Zane has 13 top 10 finishes on the 2021 season including 2 top 5 finishes. Smith has finished inside the top 10 in 8 of the last 10 races on the Truck Series circuit. Smith came away with a 2nd place finish at Phoenix in the Truck Series back in 2020 after starting 2nd. Expect for Smith and team to be fast once again and run for the Truck Series Championship
Ben Rhodes +700- Rhodes avoided the chaos at Martinsville one week ago in the Truck Series, bringing home a 7th place finish and claiming a spot in the Championship 4. Rhodes has 6 career Truck Series starts at Phoenix, very successful with 3 top 10 finishes including 2 top 5s. 4 top 10 finishes over the last 6 Truck Series events here in 2021 for Ben, team is peaking at the right time nice value for Friday’s Lucas Oil 150.
Matt Crafton +800– Crafton will make his 21st appearance in the Truck Series at Phoenix on Friday night, just able to get in after the crazy intense racing at Martinsville one week ago. In 2021, Crafton has 12 top 10 finishes including 5 top 5 finishes. Crafton 12 top 10s including 6 top 5 finishes at Phoenix in his career but has not been able to bring it to victory lane. Look for Crafton and the experience to get to the top on Friday night.
Stewart Friesen +1500- Stewart has reeled off 8 top 10 finishes on the 2021 season including 6 top 5 finishes. Friesen just missed making the Championship 4 at Martinsville last Saturday after crashing late in the Truck Series event. Friesen has been very successful at Phoenix with 5 career Truck Series starts 4 top 10 finishes including 2 top 5 finishes and a win in 2019. Friesen is a great long shot for the win on Friday night and is looking to end 2021 in the winner’s circle.
AUTHOR: Jeff Jeter
Mitch's Take...
