If not for a timely caution just past the halfway point of the race, Moffitt might not have ever had the chance to take control like he did.

“This night was a fight in more ways than one, but Scott used some amazing strategy to get us into position there in the final stage. Our get-home lap was (lap) 112, and when the caution flew on lap 107 we committed to the plan of pitting then and saving fuel in the final stage,” explained Moffitt, who led the final 76 laps. “That gave us better stage points than I thought we’d get in the second stage, but the win was the ultimate goal and we got that as well … which was huge for me and huge for this team.”

Just how big was the victory? Moffitt elaborated on that question during his post-race press conference.

“I don’t think many people really know the sacrifices we’ve made as a team this year just to get to the race track. It’s been really stressful and to win this race and prove what we can do is super special,” he said. “To do it at my home track on Father’s Day weekend, with my dad being here and having been my rock for so many years, is even more amazing. If it wasn’t for him, I’d probably have quit (racing) about 10 different times by now.

“I’d call this one of the biggest victories of my life.”

Moffitt’s two wins for owner Shige Hattori this season carry some similarities, though how similar they’re turning out to be wasn’t necessarily clear at the time his first victory happened at Atlanta Motor Speedway in February.

As Moffitt pointed out Saturday night, even back then, a full season wasn’t specifically in the plans.

It’s still not – at least, it isn’t just yet.

“Winning Atlanta … that was at a time when we only had a limited deal coming into the year, so that extended that even further … and coming into Iowa with some of the uncertainties surrounding us is huge,” said Moffitt. “I can’t say that enough. I think it’s going to be big momentum for the team, and I think it will help us fund the rest of the year. I’m not sure how that will work yet, but hopefully it does and gets everyone back on the right track.

“We’ve had fast Toyota Tundras all year long and I feel like we capitalized on that tonight.”

While neither Moffitt nor Zipadelli would confirm anything regarding the No. 16 team’s future beyond the fact that they have backing to compete at Gateway this coming weekend, both were optimistic that the Iowa victory might be able to unlock the gate currently staring them down.

“I hope so,” Zipadelli stressed when asked if the win would aid in the team’s sponsorship search. “I really hope so. Right now, everything past Gateway is a bit of an unknown. But if there’s one thing in this sport that helps move teams forward, it’s winning. I feel like we have a lot to offer someone who would join up with us as a sponsor.”

Moffitt’s declaration was clearer.

“We’re not done yet,” he stated. “I believe we have some more wins in us, and we have another chance to prove that at Gateway. From there, it’s all about partnering up with the right people.”