NASCAR
Grant Enfinger Wins His Way into Round of 8 at The Milwaukee Mile’s Racing Return
WEST ALLIS, Wis. – The historic Milwaukee Mile came to life again with Playoff race number two for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Grant Enfinger put on a clinic at the famed Wisconsin venue, leading 95 laps and sweeping all three Stages from the pole. Enfinger’s clutch Playoff win moves the No. 23 onto the Round of 8. This victory also comes just days after GMS Racing announced 2023 will be their final season of competition. Can Enfinger send this team out as champions? The 23 is one of only a few Truck teams sleeping easy now.
Milwaukee’s first NASCAR event since 2009 was very kind to Enfinger. Starting on pole, the 23 led wire-to-wire in Stage 1, only to lose the lead on pit road. Enfinger soon stormed back to the point again for a Stage-sweep though. Another slow pit stop set the 23 back again however, with Enfinger not retaking command until lap 159.
Just before Enfinger took the lead for good another Playoff contender ran into trouble. Nick Sanchez was forced to slow up for Hailie Deegan, causing contact from Corey Heim that sent the 2 spinning. Sanchez now leaves Milwaukee with only three points of buffer above the cut line.
“I don’t think anybody’s going to ask if we’re going to lay down again,” Enfinger said. “(Crew chief) Jeff Hensley’s been focused the whole year. There’s been distractions going on all year long. So if anything, this adds clarity. None of these guys, including me, have a job next year, but I feel like we proved we deserve one.”
Is Enfinger separating himself as a title contender? The No. 23 now has three wins on the season, tied for most of all drivers. Enfinger only has one more round keeping him from the Championship 4.
Behind Enfinger, the Milwaukee top-10 were Carson Hocevar, Christian Eckes, Corey Heim, Matt Crafton, Chase Purdy, Ty Majeski, Derek Kraus, Jake Garcia and Bayley Currey.
Joining IRP winner Majeski and Enfinger as locked into the Round of 8 are Eckes and Heim. Majeski was also a center of controversy in Milwaukee due to a confiscated tire and ejected crew chief. Stiff penalties may be coming this week for Majeski’s No. 98 team.
The remaining Truck Series Playoff standings are below, with one race remaining in the Round of 10.
The first Truck Series elimination race will take place at Kansas Speedway on Friday, September 8th. After a week off, the green flag will fly at 9:00 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. The Kansas Lottery 200 is the end of the championship path for two drivers. Can Rhodes or DiBenedetto pull off a miracle comeback?
Written by Peter Stratta
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Photo Credit to Johnathan Bachman/Getty Images
