After four wins, 11 top-fives, 13 top-10s and four poles in 14 races this season, Eggleston said that it was tough to sit back as Gilliland celebrated another K&N West title, with his overall performance being on the exact same level all season long.

“It was bittersweet to watch Todd accept his second-straight championship trophy, knowing that I’m not going to be back with this team next year,” Eggleston admitted. “It would surely have been the cherry and whipped cream on top of our season to have delivered Bill that trophy ourselves, but we can’t hang our heads because we had a hugely successful run.”

“Any other year, a year like we had would have won the championship, but Todd was just so good all year as well. We can’t look back … now it’s about working hard to try and put things together for the future and seeing where the cards fall.”

Eggleston said his focus now is seeking out a part-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series ride, or a similar opportunity on the national level, while still staying behind the wheel of his family-owned super late model in the meantime.

“I’d like to be driving Cup next year, but that’s pretty unrealistic with where my situation is right now,” Eggleston joked, still with a layer of seriousness.

“We’ve met with a lot of great people and some great teams this week, and we’re just trying to get our ducks in a row now. We just need to get some people to back us now, both financially and in morals, because it takes a lot of pieces to make things successful in racing. There’s nothing that’s super close to being final yet, but we’re working diligently to get something done and I’m optimistic that we’ll be able to accomplish that goal.”

“If we can string together a couple Truck races next year, I’ll consider that a successful start to our 2018 season.”

And as for the possibility of returning someday to McAnally’s fold, even if it was only for a one-off event, Eggleston said “those kinds of doors are only closed if you do something to close them.”

“All good things have to come to an end at some point, but who knows where racing will take us in the future,” surmised Eggleston. “We’re going in opposite directions today, but our paths may collide again at some point and I could be back behind the wheel of a Bill McAnally Racing car sometime down the road.”

“In this sport, you just never know. Right now, I know I’m thankful for what we’ve done and excited for my future.”

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, as well as a periodic contributor to SPEED SPORT Magazine.

Seelman grew up in the sport, watching his grandparents co-own the RaDiUs Motorsports NASCAR Cup Series team in the 1990s.

The 23-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 the Must See Racing Sprint Car Series.

Email Jacob at: [email protected]

Follow on Twitter: @Speed77Radio or @JacobSeelman77

Email Race Chaser Online: [email protected]

Follow RCO on Twitter: @RaceChaserNews