4 Truck Series storylines for tonight's race
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series takes to Iowa Speedway tonight for the Speediatrics 200.
Coverage starts on the FOX Business Network at 8 p.m. ET.
This is the eighth race of the season for the Truck Series and Iowa is an excellent venue, a challenging 7/8ths-mile track, where the competition is always fierce and tempers frequently run hot.
Here are four storylines to watch for tonight:
PINCH HITTING -- Germain Quiroga is back in the Truck Series this weekend, driving the No. 11 Red Horse Racing Toyota. Matt Tifft was supposed to drive in both races at Iowa, but has been sidelined by a disc problem in his back. Quiroga is filling in for Tifft in the truck, while Sam Hornish Jr. is replacing him in Sunday's XFINITY Series race.
THE CHASE IS ON -- For the first time in history, the Truck Series will use NASCAR's playoff format, which means winning a race is a higher priority than ever before. So far, through the first seven races of the season, just four series regulars have won races: Points leader Matt Crafton and William Byrom have won twice each, while Johnny Sauter and John Hunter Nemechek have won victory apiece.
YOUNG BLOOD -- The Truck Series is loaded with young talent -- 18-year-old William Byron has two victories already this year in the Kyle Busch Motorsports Toyota, and John Hunter Nemechek, who turned 19 earlier this month, has a win at Atlanta and a runner-up finish at Martinsville. Christopher Bell, Cole Custer and Kaz Grala are among the many other young drivers to keep an eye on.
THORSPORT CARRIES ON -- Despite a massive fire at the team's shop in Sandusky, Ohio, earlier this week, the four-truck ThorSport Racing team made it to Iowa on time.
And drivers Matt Crafton, Rico Abreu, Ben Rhodes and Cameron Haley will be among the contenders to win tonight. Rhodes was fastest in the first practice, Haley was second in Happy Hour and Abreu nearly won last week. Crafton is a two-time series champion, leads the points now and has won twice this season.
