HAMPTON, Ga. — Report by Race Chaser Online Managing Editor Jacob Seelman — Getty Images for NASCAR photo —
Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender Grant Enfinger has quickly become the new star of GMS Racing’s three-truck fleet.
One week after winning the pole for the season-opening NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Daytona International Speedway, Enfinger rocketed to the top of the speed charts again during final practice for the series at Atlanta Motor Speedway — posting a time of 31.011 seconds (178.775 mph) to lead a 36-truck field in the Peach State.
The Fairhope, Ala. native will look to back up his hot start with his first NCWTS victory during Saturday’s Great Clips 200 (4:30 p.m. ET, FS1, MRN, SiriusXM).
Behind Enfinger was two-time Truck champion Matt Crafton, who toured the 1.54-mile oval with a lap of 31.146 seconds (178.000 mph).
Kyle Busch Motorsports young-gun Christopher Bell was third in the third and final practice session of the weekend with his lap of 31.157 seconds (177.938 mph). Enfinger’s GMS teammate Spencer Gallagher (31.202/177.681) and JR Motorsports rookie Cole Custer (31.210/177.635) rounded out the top-five spots.
Youngsters Ben Kennedy (31.215/177.607), Ben Rhodes (31.217/177.596) and William Byron (31.284/177.215) finished the session in positions six through eight; while Cameron Hayley and Daytona runner-up Ryan Truex were the balance of the top-10.
Of note, home state driver Austin Hill — from Winston, Ga. — made a surprise showing near the front of the field with the 11th-fastest speed in practice. The former NASCAR K&N Pro Series East championship runner-up will debut his family-owned team (Austin Hill Racing) in the Truck Series on Saturday after attempting to qualify for the season-opener at Daytona with RPM-Empire Racing.
Keystone Light Pole Qualifying for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series kicks off Saturday morning at 10 a.m. ET, live on FOX Sports 1.
Race Chaser Online New England Correspondent Kyle Souza contributed to this report.
RESULTS: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Final Practice; Atlanta Motor Speedway; Feb. 26, 2016
- Grant Enfinger
- Matt Crafton
- Christopher Bell
- Spencer Gallagher
- Cole Custer
- Ben Kennedy
- Ben Rhodes
- William Byron
- Cameron Hayley
- Ryan Truex
- Austin Hill
- Timothy Peters
- Daniel Suarez
- Daniel Hemric
- Caleb Holman
- John Hunter Nemechek
- Parker Kligerman
- Tyler Reddick
- John Wes Townley
- Austin Wayne Self
- Rico Abreu
- Justin Marks
- Johnny Sauter
- Brandon Brown
- Tyler Young
- Carlos Contreras
- Jordan Anderson
- Tommy Joe Martins
- Travis Kvapil
- Timmy Hill
- Garrett Smithley
- Korbin Forrister
- Jennifer Jo Cobb
- Ryan Ellis
- Norm Benning
- Tim Viens
About the Writer
Jacob Seelman is the Managing Editor of Race Chaser Online and creator of the Motorsports Madness radio show, airing at 7 p.m. Eastern every Monday on the Performance Motorsports Network. Seelman grew up in the sport, watching his grandparents co-own the RaDiUs Motorsports NASCAR Cup Series team in the 1990s.
The 22-year-old is currently studying Broadcast Journalism at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C., and is also serving as the full-time tour announcer for both the United Sprint Car Series and the Must See Racing Sprint Car Series.
Email Jacob at: [email protected]
Follow on Twitter: @Speed77Radio or @JacobSeelman77
Email Race Chaser Online: [email protected]
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