Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
Team Information:
Started: 11th
Finished: 16th
Laps: 99/100
Status: Running
Driver Points: 14th
Grant Enfinger Race Recap:
Grant Enfinger, driver of the No. 98 Jive Communications Toyota Tundra, displayed his superspeedway strength throughout the 100-lap NextEra Energy Resources 250 at Daytona (Fl.) International Speedway, but closed out the season opener disappointed following Friday night’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) event. Enfinger, a former NCWTS pole sitter, and ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards race winner at the 2.5-mile superspeedway, started the 100-lap event from the 11th position. Following a multi-vehicle wreck on lap two, Enfinger followed suit with ThorSport Racing teammate, Matt Crafton, and laid back for the first two segments of NASCAR’s new race format, after nearly being collected himself. Finishing 12th in the first and second segments, the ThorSport Racing driver took advantage of the mid-race break to gain track position with a fuel only pit stop.
Restarting the third and final segment from the third position, Enfinger ran consistently inside the top-10 over the ensuing 50 laps. With four laps remaining, a spin in Turn 2 would bring out the fifth caution of the night, setting the field up for a green-white-checker flag finish. The Jive Communications driver, who was in the perfect position for the final restart, lined up behind teammates, Matt Crafton (first), and Ben Rhodes (second). Pushing Rhodes to the lead on the final lap, the No. 27 got sideways causing the, “Big One.” The No. 98 Tundra would cross the stripe in the 16th position behind race winner, Kaz Grala.
Quote:
“I was pushing my teammate a little too hard there at the end trying to get the win. Matt (Crafton) and Ben (Rhodes) were fighting for the win and I was just trying to help Ben, and put one of our Toyota Tundra’s in Victory Lane. I hate it for my entire Jive Communications team, and ThorSport teammates. We were going for the win there and just pushed too hard. Unfortunately we ended up with a bunch of torn up race cars. We learned a lot today, and made a bunch of progress with my team. My goals haven’t changed, we’re moving onto Atlanta where we’re going to try and win the race.”
Notes:
- The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) had one practice session on Thursday evening in preparation for Friday night’s 100-lap event. Grant Enfinger was 16th-quick overall.
- Friday night’s NextEra Energy Resources 250 marked Enfinger’s second NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) start at the 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway (DIS). Enfinger started 11th, and finished 16th following a last lap accident in the 100-lap event.
- In three career starts at DIS, Enfinger has one pole (2016), and has led for laps with a track-best finish of 12th (2016).
- Enfinger was the fourth-highest finishing Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender in the 100-lap event at DIS.
- In 15 career NCWTS starts, Enfinger has one pole, one win, and has led 50 laps en route to two top-five, and five top-10 finishes.
- Enfinger’s ThorSport Racing teammates finished 11th (Coughlin), 12th (Rhodes), and 14th (Crafton).
- Up Next: The Active Pest Control 200 on Saturday, March 4, 2017 at Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway.