Matt Crafton earns First Truck Series Win since 2017

Matt Crafton earns First Truck Series Win since 2017
AVONDALE, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 08: Matt Crafton, driver of the #88 Ideal Door/Menards Ford, stands by his truck during qualifying for the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series Lucas Oil 150 at ISM Raceway on November 08, 2019 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

Matt Crafton had to sweat his way into the playoffs before going on to win the 2019 NASCAR Truck Series championship, but the veteran got a sweet gift today.

Thanks to a series of cautions he avoided within a handful of green flag laps, Crafton earned his first victory since the 2017 Eldora race, taking the EPT 200 victory at Kansas.

It’s his first win on a pavement course since he won on May 21, 2016 at Charlotte.

Crafton becomes the fourth Truck series regular to punch his ticket into the 2020 Playoffs, joining Grant Enfinger, Sheldon Creed, and Austin Hill – who won the front end of the doubleheader this weekend.

2018 series champion Brett Moffitt looked to have one of the best cars on the track, but he was taken out after pit stops by his GMS teammate Zane Smith.

Regardless, Crafton navigated his way through the field, holding off rookie Christian Eckes in the closing laps to clinch the trip to victory lane.

The NASCAR Truck Series will return to the track after a NASCAR-wide bye week for another doubleheader weekend at Michigan International Speedway. The first of the two races is scheduled for August 7.

Kansas Truck Race 2 Results
1. Matt Crafton
2. Christian Eckes
3. Grant Enfinger
4. Tanner Gray
5. Ben Rhodes
6. Austin Hill
7. Derek Kraus
8. Brandon Jones
9. Zane Smith
10. Chase Purdy
11. Raphael Lessard
12. Brennan Poole
13. Austin Wayne Self
14. Spencer Davis
15. Jordan Anderson
16. Tyler Hill
17. Tate Fogleman
18. Spencer Boyd
19. Ryan Huff
20. Todd Gilliland
21. Robby Lyons
22. Travis Pastrana
23. Kevin Donahue
24. Ray Ciccarelli
25. Norm Benning
26. Sheldon Creed
27. Brett Moffitt
28. Tyler Ankrum
29. Codie Rohrbaugh
30. Ty Majeski
31. Clay Greenfield
32. Jennifer Jo Cobb
33. Johnny Sauter
34. Stewart Friesen
35. Natalie Decker
36. Cory Roper
37. Bryan Dauzat