Column By: SHANE CARLSON / RPW – DAYTONA BEACH, FL – The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series is set to kick off the weekend’s first official points race on Friday night under the lights of the World Center of Racing that is Daytona International Speedway.
The field is comprised of some wily veterans, names such as Johnny Sauter and Matt Crafton, weekly contenders for the win. The overwhelming majority of the drivers in the field have limited experience, but that is what the Camping World Truck Series prides itself on: grooming young talent so drivers can gain some experience and continue to move up through the ranks.
Daytona stands as an opportunity to get of the gates strong and punch a ticket to the playoffs in week one with a win, so teams put a lot of time and effort into winning this race. Teams have agonized over every detail of their race trucks, and now it’s time to execute.
The safest spot on the track is to be the leader, but there are no guarantees. I expect the veterans to qualify well and fight to defend their track position. With the field having a lack of experience, the last place drivers want to be is three-wide in the middle of the pack.
My Pick to Win Is…
Parker Kligerman
No. 75 Food Country USA Toyota Tundra
Henderson Motorsports
Kligerman’s two career Truck Series wins have both come at Talladega Superspeedway, (2012, 2017) and he always seems to have a fast piece on the plate tracks. He’s fought for funding to race full-time, and a win at Daytona might help cure some of the issues of locking down sponsorship.
NEXTERA ENERGY RESOURCES 250
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16
7:30 PM ET
TV: FOX SPORTS 1
RADIO: MOTOR RACING NETWORK
