NASCAR Truck Series Power Rankings after 2018 JAG Metals 350

When Todd Gilliland ran out of fuel, Justin Haley won the 2018 JAG Metals 350. Haley clinched his berth into the NASCAR Truck Series Championship 4.

Half of the NASCAR Truck Series Championship 4 field has been set. Two GMS Racing drivers will compete to win the championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Johnny Sauter clinched his berth with his victory at Martinsville Speedway, and Justin Haley clinched his berth when he won the JAG Metals 350.

For more information about those two drivers who clinched Championship 4 berths, I encourage you to read this Beyond the Flag article.

Curiously, in Haley’s two most recent NASCAR Truck Series wins, Todd Gilliland led when the field took the white flag. At Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Gilliland and his teammate Noah Gragson made contact, spinning each other out, and Haley drove past those two to take the victory.

At Texas Motor Speedway, Gilliland led the race by a comfortable margin when the white flag flew. Although Haley was gaining time on Gilliland, there wouldn’t be enough time for him to make the pass for the win.

However, as Gilliland drove down the backstretch on the final lap, he slowed down. He was out of fuel! This time, Haley drove by and sailed to victory. Watch the final lap of the JAG Metals 350 below.

As a result, Haley clinched his Championship 4 berth. Congratulations to him on securing a Championship 4 berth in only his second season in the Truck Series. According to a recent rumor, he will compete in the NASCAR Xfinity Series next season driving for Kaulig Racing. Although this rumor has not been confirmed, a NASCAR Truck Series championship would certainly propel Haley into an Xfinity Series ride.

How did Haley’s win affect this week’s Truck Series driver power rankings? Before we delve into the power rankings, here are the 20 drivers in the top 30 in the point standings who are not in this week’s power rankings.

NOTE: “LW” means last week and “NR” means not ranked.

• Austin Hill, #02, Young’s Motorsports, Chevrolet
• Austin Wayne Self, #22, Niece Motorsports, Chevrolet
• Cody Coughlin, #2, GMS Racing, Chevrolet
• Dalton Sargeant, #25, GMS Racing, Chevrolet
• Jordan Anderson, #3, Jordan Anderson Racing, Chevrolet
• Justin Fontaine, #45, Niece Motorsports, Chevrolet
• Wendell Chavous, #49, Premium Motorsports, Chevrolet
• Jennifer Jo Cobb, #10, Jennifer Jo Cobb Racing, Chevrolet
• Jesse Little, #97, JJL Motorsports, Ford
• Joe Nemechek, #8, NEMCO Motorsports, Chevrolet
• Harrison Burton, #51, Kyle Busch Motorsports, Toyota
• Norm Benning, #6, Norm Benning Racing, Chevrolet
• Korbin Forrister, #7, All Out Motorsports, Toyota
• Parker Kligerman, #75, Henderson Motorsports, Chevrolet
• Josh Reaume, #33, Reaume Brothers Racing, Chevrolet
• Bo Le Mastus, #54, DGR-Crosley, Toyota
• Timothy Peters, #23, GMS Racing, Chevrolet
• David Gilliland, #17, DGR-Crosley, Toyota
• Tanner Thorson, #20, Young’s Motorsports, Chevrolet
• Spencer Davis, #51, Kyle Busch Motorsports, Toyota