NASCAR

NASCAR Truck Series Fans Respond To Grant Enfinger Avoiding Last-Lap Crash, Opening Round of 8 With Love’s RV Stop 225 Victory At Talladega Superspeedway

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Jeff Hawkins
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Jeff Hawkins Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He joined the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sportscasting now.  

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Published2 hours ago on October 04, 2024

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At his home state track, NASCAR Truck Series driver Grant Enfinger earned an invitation to compete in next month’s Championship 4 event by eluding a last-lap crash and capturing Friday’s Love’s RV Stop 225 at Talladega Superspeedway. 

After leading for an event-best 34 of 85 rotations, Enfinger was positioned perfectly when a trailing tri-oval accident involved Tyler Ankrum, Daniel Dye, Christian Eckes, Stewart Friesen, Corey Heim, Ty Majeski and Ryan Reed. 

With a Round of 8-opening trip to Victory Lane, Enfinger earned his 11th career win and the circuit’s first invitation to next month’s Championship 4 race. 

“We knew stuff was going to get dicey,” Enfinger said, per The Associated Press. He alluded to the final restart on Lap 77 in which the 39-year-old pilot elected the inside lane and held off Taylor Gray (P2) and Christian Eckes (P6) over the final eight laps. 

X (Twitter) users responded to Enfinger earning his first win of the season and the first victory for the No. 9 Chevrolet team … 

So, you dream of racing at the iconic 2.66-mile tri-oval? … 

After claiming the pole position earlier Friday, one day after his 18th birthday, William Sawalich became the circuit’s youngest pole sitter at Talladega and joined some youthful company … 

Here’s a look at the last-lap mele. It’s Talladega, right? …  

Heim, who entered Friday leading the series points standings, and Rajah Caruth collided exiting Turn 2. The outside land dissolved on Lap 82. Caruth ended up P4 after rallying from a speeding penalty … 

Bumped by Eckes on Lap 71, Nick Sanchez (2) went sideways, forcing Dawson Sutton (25) and Mason Maggio (21) into spins. Maggio ended up striking Keith McGee as Daniel Dye slid through the infield grass without sustaining significant damage. McGee was a last-minute substitution for Bryan Dauzat and finished P26. Dye ended up placing P3 ..

Ignited by Stefan Parsons (75) making contact with the bumper of Jake Garcia (13) as the duo entered Turn 1 on Lap 62. Garcia’s machine struck Layne Riggs (38) and the two ended up collecting Tyler Ankrum, Taylor Gray, Tannor Gray, Dean Thompson and Connor Zilisch … 

Matt Mills takes Stage 1 … 

With his 18th consecutive top-10 finish, Eckes continues climbing the charts …  

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Author photo
Jeff Hawkins
Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He joined the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sportscasting now.  

Get to know Jeff Hawkins better
Author photo
Jeff Hawkins Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He joined the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sportscasting now.  

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