NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, UNOH 175 at New Hampshire Preview

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series teams are preparing for the UNOH 175 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Saturday, September 23rd at 1 pm ET. Coverage begins at 12:30 pm ET on FOX Sports 1 with radio coverage on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Drivers will race 225 miles over 150 laps with Stage 1 ending on lap 55, Stage 2 on lap 110, and the last Stage ends on the last lap 175.

What to Watch for: The Camping World Truck Series Playoffs begin at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

Matt Crafton begins his quest for a third series title.

Johnny Sauter tries to defend his 2016 series championship.

Chase Briscoe leads Grant Enfinger by three points in the Sunoco Rookie of the Year standings.

2017 Camping World Truck Series Playoffs Class

Following the TheHouse.com 225 at Chicagoland Speedway, the 2017 Camping World Truck Series Playoffs class is now set.

Among the eight championship-contending drivers this year, Christopher Bell, Johnny Sauter, Matt Crafton and John Hunter Nemechek will be making their second consecutive Playoffs appearances as all four drivers were a part of the 2016 postseason class.

Sunoco Rookie of the Year contenders Chase Briscoe, Austin Cindric, and Kaz Grala – as well as second-year driver Ben Rhodes – will be making their first career Playoff appearances.

Below is the updated 2017 Camping World Truck Series Playoffs standings grid heading into the post-season action.

Rank Driver Playoff Points
1 Christopher Bell 40
2 Johnny Sauter 25
3 John Hunter Nemechek 14
4 Matt Crafton 14
5 Chase Briscoe 9
6 Austin Cindric 7
7 Ben Rhodes 7
8 Kaz Grala 5


Christopher Bell Clinches 2017 Regular Season Championship at Chicagoland

Kyle Busch Motorsports driver Christopher Bell topped off his 2017 regular season like he wants to end his 2017 post-season…as champion.

Bell was crowned the 2017 Camping World Truck Series regular-season champion when he scored his tenth top-five finish of the season at Chicagoland Speedway. For the regular season, Bell has four wins and 14 top-tens, with 593 laps led.

He heads into the 2017 Camping World Truck Series Playoffs with 40 playoff points and as the top driver seed.

Bell was excited about capturing the regular season title but knows there is more work to be done to win the 2017 Camping World Truck Series championship.

“This is really cool. To win the regular season championship is a huge testament to Kyle Busch Motorsports and everyone on this No. 4 team. For us, it’s huge to have all of the bonus points going into the playoffs.”

Sauter Primed for Another Title Run

Reigning Camping World Truck Series champion Johnny Sauter appears ready for another strong post-season run in 2017.

Sauter was already in Playoffs mode at Chicago as he won the TheHouse.com 225 and heads into the 2017 Camping World Truck Series Playoffs as the No. 2 overall seed with 25 playoff points.

In last season’s Playoffs, Sauter was as strong as they come during the playoff stretch.

Beginning with New Hampshire Motor Speedway and ending at Homestead-Miami Speedway last season, Sauter finished top-ten or better in every Playoffs race and won two races, including Martinsville and Texas.

The Rhodes to the 2017 Camping World Truck Series Playoffs

ThorSport Racing driver Ben Rhodes finally saw his hard work pay off this season when he scored the final Camping World Truck Series Playoffs berth at Chicagoland Speedway.

Rhodes has had a very strong 2017 campaign – collecting five top-fives and nine top-tens, with 123 laps led in the regular season.

He moves forward in the Playoffs ranked seventh with seven total playoff points.

Camping World Truck Series Playoffs by Round

The 2017 Camping World Truck Series Playoffs begin this week at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with the UNOH 175.

The UNOH 175 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway kicks off the Round of 8.

Below is a look at the Camping World Truck Series Playoffs rounds and which tracks line up per round.

ROUND OF 8

UNOH 175 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway

Saturday, September 23 at 1 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Las Vegas 350 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Saturday, September 30 at 8 p.m. on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Fred’s Pharmacy 250 at Talladega Super Speedway

Saturday, October 14 at 1 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

ROUND OF 6

Texas Roadhouse 200 at Martinsville Speedway

Saturday, October 28 at 1 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

JAG Metals 350 at Texas Motor Speedway

Friday, November 3 at 8 p.m. on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Lucas Oil 150 at Phoenix International Raceway

Friday, November 10 at 8:30 p.m. on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

CHAMPIONSHIP 4

Ford EcoBoost 200 at Homestead-Miami Speedway

Friday, November 17 at 8 p.m. on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio 

Crafton Top of The Class at New Hampshire

As the Camping World Truck Series begins its 2017 Playoffs at New Hampshire, back-to-back champion (2013 and 2014) Matt Crafton is seeking his third title in a five-year span.

Crafton has been strong in New Hampshire – especially over the last three seasons. He’s finished top-three or better in every race he’s competed in since 2014 and hasn’t finished outside the top-six at New Hampshire since 2008.

Crafton leads the Camping World Truck Series in races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (14) as well as top-tens (nine), laps completed (2,607) lead-lap lap finishes (11).

Crafton will look to start his 2017 Playoffs campaign with another top-three at New Hampshire. 

New Hampshire Motor Speedway Quick Facts

As the Camping World Truck Series heads to New Hampshire Motor Speedway for the UNOH 175, below are some series quick facts at the first race of the 2017 Camping World Truck Series Playoffs:

Races: 19

Pole Winners: 12

Youngest Pole Winner: Cole Custer (09/20/2014 – 16 years, 7 months, 28 days)

Oldest Pole Winner: Joe Ruttman (07/08/2000 – 55 years, 8 months, 10 days)

Race Winners: 15

Youngest Winner: Cole Custer (09/20/2014 –16 years 7 months, 28 days)

Oldest Winner: Ron Hornaday Jr. (09/13/2008 – 50 years, 2 months, 24 days)

Races Won from Pole (or 1st Starting Position): 8

Last Race Won from Pole (or 1st Starting Position): William Byron (09/24/2016)

Race Record: Kyle Busch 118.707 mph (09/24/2011)

Qualifying Record: Austin Dillon 133.296 mph (09/26/2015)

First Timers at New Hampshire 

There are six Sunoco Rookie of the Year contenders making their track debut at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Saturday’s UNOH 175. They include Chase Briscoe, Wendell Chavous, Austin Cindric, Grant Enfinger, Noah Gragson and Justin Haley.

Cody Coughlin, Stewart Friesen, and Kaz Grala are the three Camping World Truck Series Sunoco Rookie contenders who have made a previous career start at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

In 19 Camping World Truck Series races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, current XFINITY Series driver Cole Custer (09/20/2014) is the only driver to win his first career Camping World Truck Series race at New Hampshire.

Current XFINITY Series driver William Byron (09/24/2016), 2017 Playoffs contender Matt Crafton (09/17/2005) and Mike Wallace (08/02/1998) are the only drivers to win their first career Camping World Truck Series pole at New Hampshire.

Also Noteworthy…

Sunoco Rookie Battle Remains Intensely Close with Seven to Go: Throughout the 2017 Camping World Truck Series season, Sunoco Rookie of the Year contenders Chase Briscoe and Grant Enfinger have been tradin’ paint for the Sunoco Rookie points lead. With seven races remaining this season, Briscoe leads Enfinger by three points, 195-192. 

Camping World Truck Series Owner Standings Update: Kyle Busch Motorsports’ No. 4 Toyota Tundra retains a 15-point lead over GMS Racing’s No. 21 Chevrolet Silverado in the Camping World Truck Series owner standings after 16 races this season. Kyle Busch’s second entry, the No. 51 Toyota Tundra (-18), ThorSport Racing’s No. 88 Toyota Tundra (-26), and NEMCO Motorsports’ No. 8 Chevrolet (-28) round out the top five.

Camping World Truck Series Manufacturer Standings Update: Through 16 Camping World Truck Series races this season, Toyota leads Chevrolet by 17 points in the manufacturer standings, 593-576. In third place, Ford sits at 507 points with one win.