NASCAR Truck Series Power Rankings after 2019 NextEra Energy 250

Shout-outs and conclusion

Any kind of NASCAR racing at Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway often ends up with plenty of carnage. Yet racing at those two tracks also equalizes the field. The draft allows underfunded teams a chance to earn points, garner TV time and finish well. Therefore, I will give shoutouts to three drivers who made the most out of their NextEra Energy 250 starts.

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Angela Ruch last competed in the Truck Series in 2010. She showed no rust as she wheeled her #8 NEMCO Motorsports Chevrolet to an eighth place finish. Her finish was noteworthy because it was the second best finish by a woman in Truck Series history. She plans to drive for NEMCO Motorsports in between five and 10 Truck Series races this season.

Cory Roper drove admirably before he lost control of his #04 Ford and wrecked it, ending his race with a 20th place finish. Roper Racing want to compete full-time this season, and Roper’s performance in the NextEra Energy 250 deserves a shout-out. At one point, he was running in second place. So despite the wreck, the team were very enthusiastic with how they performed.

Lastly, Bobby Gerhart stayed at the back of the pack for much of the race, but the many wrecks led to him climbing inside the top 10. He is a longtime ARCA Menards Series competitor, but the NextEra Energy 250 was his 10th career Truck Series race.

Driving the #63 Copp Motorsports Chevrolet, Gerhart nearly completed the full race. Unfortunately, his race ended when he was involved in a lap 107 accident during the first overtime attempt. Nonetheless, he outlasted many drivers and finished in 11th place. It certainly was a night for the underdogs.

The NextEra Energy 250 was not a clean race. Aggression by several drivers led to mistakes. Because of the pack racing, those mistakes destroyed many trucks. For much of the field, it was an expensive race. Conceivably, there is an argument that the Truck Series should start its season at a different track so that there would be more racing and fewer wrecks.

Daytona International Speedway has been the opening race for the Truck Series since the 2000 season. Does NASCAR need to shake up the Truck Series schedule? Yes, but I like the Truck Series racing at the track to open its season.

On a Friday night under the lights, there is excitement. The Cup Series and Xfinity Series are both there. The fans are hyped for the first points races of the NASCAR season across all three series. To NASCAR’s credit, it has followed the wishes of the teams, drivers, and sponsors.

Hopefully there will not be as many damaged trucks and caution flags in the next race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The 1.54-mile oval in Hampton, Georgia oval allows the best teams and drivers to race up front, and the chances for underfunded teams to earn great finishes aren’t as high. That is why racing at Daytona International Speedway is special.

Atlanta Motor Speedway is set to host the next NASCAR Truck Series race. This race, the Active Pest Control 200, is scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 23, and it is set to be broadcast live on Fox Sports 1 beginning at 4:30 p.m. ET.