Matt Crafton Wins In Trucks Return To Atlanta

In the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series return to Atlanta Motor Speedway, two-time champion Matt Crafton made his way to the front to capture his first win of the season during the Hyundai Construction Equipment 200.

 

Not only was the win at Atlanta Crafton’s first of the year, but his first at the 1.54-mile track after 14 starts. Crafton led 85 laps, including the final 72.  He also kept a 8.752-second lead from second-place finisher Ty Dillon – the 10th largest lead in the series history.  

 

“This is my favorite race track, by far,” said Crafton after the race. “You can search, and you can move around so much. Now that I’ve got this win, it’s an amazing feeling.”

 

 Last weekend’s winner Tyler Reddick continued his strong start to the season with another top-five finish.

 

The race at Atlanta featured one of the longest green flag runs in the Truck Series history at the track, with 74 laps.

 

Prior to the race, Brad Keselowski had won the pole award, but his qualifying lap was later disallowed as he had not reached the start/finish line in time. That would not be the only problem he would have, as Keselowski had some trouble on pit road and went on to finish 15th.  

 

Following Keselowski’s qualifying lap being disallowed, Ben Kennedy went on to start on the pole and finished third.

The Truck Series will now head into a break and will return on March 28 at Martinsville. Reddick currently holds the points lead, with a two-point gap between Crafton and he.

Christine Valdez