Toyota 200
The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series got the racing weekend started at World Wild Technology Raceway. The Toyota 200 ended in overtime after leaders Ty Majeski and Zane Smith wrecked at the front of the field. This created an opportunity for Grant Enfinger, driving the No. 23 Chevrolet Silverado, to capture the win.
The race featured 11 lead changes among four different divers. However, Enfinger didn’t luck his way into the win. The GMS Racing driver posted a race-best in Driver Rating at 137.9, led for 65 laps, and 23 fastest laps.
It was for these stats that Enfinger was named Driver of the Race. Enfinger was able to cross the finish line 0.256 seconds ahead of second-place Christian Eckes. Additionally, Enfinger collected a $50,000 bonus for winning the second event in the Triple Truck Challenge. This was his second win and fifth top-five finish of the 2023 season.
Pacific Office Automation 147
Minutes after the conclusion of the Toyota 200, the green flag dropped for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Pacific Office Automation 147. This race at Portland International Raceway featured five lead changes among four different drivers.
Cole Custer was able to hold off three JR Motorsports Chevys at the overtime finish to win Saturday’s Xfinity Series race, marking his first victory of the season.
Custer restarted fourth. However, when Parker Kligerman, who restarted third, attempted to pass Justin Allgaier and Sheldon Creed in turn one, all three cars made contact. This left enough room to allow Custer to sneak by and pull away for the win.
Even so, Custer was not named Driver of the Race. This honor would go to Sheldon Creed, driver of the No. 2 Chevrolet Camaro for Richard Childress Racing.
He ended with a race-high in Drivers Rating of 135.3. Along with a race-high in Laps Lead at 47 (61% of the race) and 100% of the race in the top 15, these stats named Creed as the Driver of the Race. Creed would finish sixth in the Pacific Office Automation 147.
Enjoy Illinois 300
Finally, Sunday would feature a third overtime finish for the weekend as the NASCAR Cup Series drivers took the task at WWWR. Kyle Busch would have to survive five restarts in the last 40 laps of the Enjoy Illinois 300. Busch beat the FedEx Toyota of Denny Hamlin to the finish line by 0.517 seconds.
Busch led five times for 121 laps, including the last 60 of the race en route to his third victory of the season. He would end with a Driver Rating of 139.7, 67 Fastest Laps, and an Average Running Position of 2.0. Because of the dominance displayed by the No. 8, Busch is named Driver of the Race for the Enjoy Illinois 300.
