NASCAR Truck Series: What to expect out of Todd Gilliland in his first season
Todd Gilliland is finally ready to start competing in the NASCAR Truck Series, but how much can we expect from him in his shortened first season?
One of the brightest young stars who just celebrated his 18th birthday is Todd Gilliland, and he is officially old enough to race on a full-time basis in NASCAR‘s top three series. Gilliland has become one of the most awaited drivers with his domination is almost every other lower form of racing, as he has won in every series in which he has competed.
Before turning 18, Gilliland was only able to compete at a select number of tracks, and during his limited time in the Truck Series, he has nine starts with five top 10 finishes and two top five finishes with an average finish of 11.2.
It has yet to be decided if Gilliland will receive a waiver for the race that he missed in order to compete for a championship, just like Justin Haley received after his 18th birthday last season, if he ends up winning a race this season.
Is a win this season even anything to worry about for Gilliland?
As a matter of fact, I think it is.
I am probably not going out on too far of a limb here. Gilliland is driving for one of the most competitive teams in the Truck Series and has never gone on too long of a dry spell.
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Being one of the most dominant drivers in both the K&N Pro Series East and K&N Pro Series West, Gilliland was a contender every time he took control of a car. There has been an obvious learning curve in the Truck Series compared to his quick growth in other series, but he has remained a factor in almost all of the races in which he has competed with Kyle Busch Motorsports.
I think that while we won’t see the dominance that Gilliland displayed in the K&N Pro Series East and K&N Pro Series West in this Truck Series season, he will sneak in a win, maybe even two, and compete in the playoffs, but he probably will not be a legitimate championship contender. I think the championship will be won by either Johnny Sauter, Noah Gragson or Brett Moffitt.
I think this will be the toe-dipping season for Gilliland and while he will find success, we won’t see the type of dominance we’re used to seeing from him until next season, when I expect him to be the championship favorite.
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I’m sure Toyota are in no rush to develop their up and coming star. Considering their flagship team, Joe Gibbs Racing, have run out of room on their team, it looks like Martin Truex Jr. could have some company in the coming years at Furniture Row Racing with Todd Gilliland, Christopher Bell, Noah Gragson, and Brandon Jones all developing for Toyota.