By Matt Courson, Staff Writer
MADISON, Ill. — Johnny Sauter is most certainly in a must-win situation if he wants to be a part of the NASCAR Gander Outdoors & RV Truck Series Playoffs.
Sauter experienced a drivetrain issue that relegated him to a last place finish on Sunday at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway in the CarShield 200.
Sauter now trails Tyler Ankrum by 99 points with just three races remaining until the Playoffs begin. Sauter is going to have to find Victory Lane at either Darlington, Richmond, or Bristol.
(Photo by Matt Courson / Kickin’ the Tires)
The veteran driver may have some past experience at upcoming tracks that could give him an advantage over the younger drivers in the series. The Truck Series returns to Richmond Raceway for the first time since 2005 and to Darlington Raceway in nearly a decade. Sauter has recorded five starts at those venues in Trucks, and all but one resulted in a top 15 finish.
To close out the regular season, the Trucks will compete at Bristol Motor Speedway for the 12th consecutive year, where Sauter has seen success. He has recorded seven top-10s in 12 starts, including a victory two years ago.
While Johnny Sauter may be down, certainly do not count him out until the checkered flag waves at Bristol, which would signal the beginning of the Playoffs.
The trucks only have two regular season races left, so Bristol will be the first race in the playoffs.