Date: June 23, 2018
Event: Eaton 200 (Race 10 of 23)
Series: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
Location: Gateway Motorsports Park in Madison, Ill. (1.25-mile oval)
Format: Three Segments; 35 laps/35 laps/90 laps
Start/Finish: 8th / 2nd (running, completed 160 of 160 laps)
Winner: Justin Haley of GMS Racing (Chevrolet)
Todd Gilliland was Toyota’s highest-finishing driver when he placed second in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) race at Gateway Motorsports Park. It was also his best career finish in the Truck Series. Gilliland made a run at the leader on the final green-white-checker restart, but didn’t have quite enough to catch him the closing laps.
Stage One Recap:
- Gilliland started eighth in the No. 4 Royal Canin Tundra.
- He fought the handling early in the race as the truck was free in, but tight in the center of the corners and off.
- He pitted under caution on lap 24 just before the first stage ended for four tires and adjustments to help the handling.
- Gilliland restarted 17th and was up to 12th when the stage ended on lap 35.
Stage Two Recap:
- Since he was able to stay out during the stage break, Gilliland restarted fourth.
- He quickly moved up to second, and then settled into third by lap 55.
- When the second stage ended Gilliland pitted for right-side tires and a track bar adjustment to help his entry into the corners.
Stage Three Recap:
- Gilliland started the final 90-lap stage in third place.
- The truck remained tight, so he pitted for left-side tires under caution on lap 99.
- The final 60 laps of the race were slowed by several cautions and even a red flag to clean up oil on the track.
- While running fourth, there was a final caution with six laps to go. The race resumed with two laps remaining. Gilliland was third but with a great restart, moved up into second place. He tried his best to chase down Justin Haley, but did not have quite enough time and finished second.
Todd Gilliland, driver of the No. 4 Royal Canin Tundra for Kyle Busch Motorsports:
How did you survive and end up second?
“Before this race, we talked about maximizing our race. I did feel like we maximized our day and that’s something to be proud of. We had a little bit of damage on both sides of our Royal Canin Tundra. We could have been a little bit better, but that’s what it’s about. It’s all about teamwork and we have to keep working on it.”
Eaton 200 Recap:
- Justin Haley won the race followed Gilliland, Johnny Sauter, Myatt Snider and Zane Smith rounded out the top-five finishers.
- The race featured nine cautions for a total of 53 laps. There were seven lead changes among seven drivers. Gilliland led one, while his teammates Noah Gragson led 63 and Christian Eckes led 34.
How Gilliland’s KBM Teammates Fared:
- Noah Gragson, driver of the No. 18 Toyota, finished 10th
- Christian Eckes, driver of the No. 46 Toyota, finished 28th
- Riley Herbst, driver of the No. 51 Toyota, finished 8th
NCWTS Owner Championship Standings:
The No. 4 team remains fifth in the Truck Series Owner’s Championship Standings, 112 points out of first. Gilliland is 13th in the Driver Championship Standings, 111 points out of eighth place which is the final cutoff for the playoffs.
Next Race:
The Truck Series returns to action Friday, June 29 at Chicagoland Speedway. Live coverage of the race begins at 9 p.m. ET on FS1.
