Justin Lofton, driver of the #6 CollegeComplete.com Chevrolet, pits during the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series N.C. Education Lottery 200 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 18, 2012
Photo – Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

After an off and on start to the season for the Camping World Truck Series, the race this Friday at Charlotte is the start of the main part of their season. When they last raced at Kansas, Matt Crafton took home the victory and his win solidified the fact that ThorSport Racing is off to one hot start this season with Crafton and Johnny Sauter. Their team has proven that they are the organization to beat this season and that statement will likely hold true throughout the upcoming races.

Crafton took home the victory on the last mile-and-a-half track the trucks raced at Kansas, and this weekend’s race at Charlotte could fall right into his pocket. The past races at Charlotte have proven to be tough and demanding and they usually leave the most dominant driver on top. Craziness is always present when the trucks hit the track and this Friday night’s race should be equally dramatic.

The North Carolina Education Lottery 200 is Friday, May 17, 2013 and the green flag will wave around 8:00 PM EST. The race will feature 134 laps and 201 miles. Friday night’s weather forecast looks decent with partly cloudy skies and only 10% chance of rain. Fans can catch the television broadcast on SPEED and a radio version of the broadcast can be heard on MRN.

Last year’s race featured one of many first-time winners the season offered. Justin Lofton claimed victory in a race that he wasn’t able to get up front until the very end. A late restart issue caused Brad Keselowski to not get a great jump and that allowed Lofton to grab the lead. Lofton has not been competing on a full-time schedule this season, but he is returning to the track this weekend to try and win his second straight race at Charlotte. He’ll have a decent shot at taking home the trophy, but he’ll need to fight his way through some fierce competition first.

Most drivers are at home when NASCAR invades Charlotte and that allows some Cup drivers to take part in the Truck Series race. Brad Keselowski and Kyle Busch are competing this Friday night and know they have the trucks to beat. Many drivers also hard to beat and some likely contenders in the race include Ty Dillon, Jeb Burton, Ryan Blaney, James Buescher, Johnny Sauter, and Matt Crafton. Crafton also holds the points lead so this race will be even more important for him and if he can do well, he may leave the track with his name still atop the standings. This race is wide open as most races have been this season; so really, anyone could be in victory lane at the end of the day.

Nothing is better than some good, hard, and exciting truck racing on a Friday night and that is exactly what’s in-store for this weekend. Drivers are pumped to get on the track this weekend and fans are excited for the return of the trucks. No matter who takes the victory, the race will surely be full of fireworks and action and that is why fans leave happy. Charlotte is always a track geared up for some great racing and the trucks will surely  provide just that, this Friday of All-Star Race Weekend.

Event Schedule

11:30 AM- 1:30 PM EST (Thursday) Truck Series Practice, not televised

2:00-4:30 PM EST (Thursday) Truck Series Practice, not televised

10:30-11:50 AM EST (Friday) Truck Series Final Practice, televised on SPEED

4:00 PM EST (Friday) Truck Series Qualifying, televised on SPEED

8:00 PM EST (Friday) the Truck Series’ North Carolina Education Lottery 200, televised on SPEED

Next Race– Lucas Oil 200 at the Dover International Speedway in Dover, Delaware

Entry List via Jayski.com