NASCAR Truck Series: Driver Power Rankings after the 2018 M and M’s 200
By Mark Kristl
#5 through #1
No. 41, ThorSport Racing. Ford, LW: 4. BEN RHODES. #5. Ben Rhodes received damage from a lap 137 incident. As a result, he finished four laps down in 17th. Rhodes has struggled recently despite the fact that he has more playoff points than his fellow ThorSport Racing teammates. While the power rankings rank him in fifth, he actually sits in seventh in the playoff seedings. At the moment, he is somewhat comfortable with a 44-point margin over the playoff cut line. He must avoid future issues to stay there.
STEWART FRIESEN. #4. The lap 137 incident involving Ben Rhodes also involved Stewart Friesen. Friesen recovered to finish in ninth. Along the way, he won stage two, adding another playoff point to his resume. Last year, Halmar Friesen Racing did not enter the race at Gateway Motorsports Park, as they wanted to regroup for the rest of the season. This year will be Friesen’s first race at Gateway, and it will be a good test for him.. No. 52, Halmar Friesen Racing. Chevrolet, LW: 5
#3. Noah Gragson made a daring last-lap dive in an attempt to capture the win at Iowa. His move didn’t work and he finished in second. Regardless, he again contended for the race win and beat Johnny Sauter. If he wants to win the NASCAR Truck Series championship, he needs to accomplish both of those goals: contend at every race and beat Sauter.. No. 18, Kyle Busch Motorsports. Toyota, LW: 2. NOAH GRAGSON
No. 16, Hattori Racing Enterprises. Toyota, LW: 3. BRETT MOFFITT. #2. Brett Moffitt needed a good finish, and a win definitely qualifies. Last season, Hattori Racing Enterprises’ driver, Ryan Truex, barely missed the playoffs. Moffitt has already clinched a playoff berth. This race also delivered a proud moment to Moffitt. He won on Father’s Day Weekend at his home track. Winning always makes the grind of a NASCAR season more enjoyable.
#1. Although Johnny Sauter earned stage points, he did not lead any laps at Iowa. Given his dominance thus far this season, the race at Iowa was a quiet one for him, but not to worry. He added his stage points to his lead in the championship standings. Finishing in the top 10 in both stages and the race itself also reveals that Sauter had speed in his #21 GMS Racing Chevrolet throughout the whole race. For the rest of the Truck Series field, beating Sauter is a daunting task.. No. 21, GMS Racing. Chevrolet, LW: 1. JOHNNY SAUTER