By: Zach Catanzareti, Staff Writer
Thursday night’s UNOH 200 from Bristol Motor Speedway was another dominant night for Brett Moffitt in the 2020 Gander RV & Outdoors Trucks Series season.
However, the 200-lap race also followed another trend for Moffitt, ending outside Victory Lane.
Leading 117 laps on the half-mile track, Moffitt was passed by teammate Sam Mayer for the lead with 30 laps to go, and the battle was over. With Mayer stretching out to a 4.4-second lead and the checkered flag, Moffitt had to settle for second place.
“We had a super-fast Chevrolet,” Moffitt said. “We need some sponsors on it though. As you can see.”
Moffitt ran the race without a sponsor on the side of his No. 23 Chevy, which would have made victory just that much sweeter. However, with older tires, Moffitt knew he was in a tough spot on the race’s final restart.
NEW LEADER: HERE COMES MAYER!
The Gander Trucks newcomer passes @Brett_Moffitt for the top spot with less than 35 to go!
📺: FS1 | 🖥: https://t.co/kd5eqlatOc pic.twitter.com/C3ELiyMhiT
— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) September 18, 2020
“Tires got us at the end for sure,” he said. “Last year, it probably would not have been a problem. But this year, with the tire we have, it was just wearing out more.”
The finish was Moffitt’s fourth runner-up finish in 2020 and his seventh consecutive top-10 finish.
With Mayer not running for the series title, Moffitt leaves Bristol with the most points earned of the playoff drivers. More than anything, it was a positive night for himself and his GMS teammates.
“I’m proud of everyone at GMS for bringing not just my [truck] but Sam, Sheldon [Creed], Zane [Smith] all having fast trucks in the playoffs here. That’s what we need. We need to have four trucks at Phoenix to race for a championship. This is a good start for us.”
"Tires got us at the end for sure." @Brett_Moffitt led a career-high 117 laps Thursday night, but he ultimately settled for second. #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/jCtv6kAMMm
— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) September 18, 2020