LAS VEGAS, NV — For Johnny Sauter, finishing second when Kyle Busch is listed on the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series entry list is practically a win.
“I thought we had something there for him (Kyle Busch) after the last pit stop,” said the 2016 Truck series champion. “Our truck was phenomenal for 10, 12, 15 laps there, and he just turned the afterburners on.”
Sauter started on pole, his first since November of 2018, and was shuffled throughout the field early in the race. The 17-year veteran kept his focus on the checkered flag, and was able to maneuver on restarts, short runs and long runs to get his No. 13 Tenda Ford F-150 into the runner-up position.
“We started out way too loose,” Sauter shared about the handling of his truck. “Joe (Shear Jr., crew chief) and the guys did a great job on our Tenda Ford F-150. I thought we were in trouble there for a while. We were back in 15th, and then essentially just drove back to the front.”
For Sauter, the finish moves him up to second in the points. The ThorSport Racing driver knows their team still has work to do, leading just seven of the opening dozen laps. The one thing he was excited about was winning the pole for Friday night’s Strat 200. It was the eighth of his career, and usually not where he starts his races.
“I don’t even know when the last time it was,” Sauter said reflecting back on his qualifying career. “They always say that it doesn’t pay much to qualify. It was good. I knew today, second lap on the race track, the thing was hunting big time, and you just know when they have speed. Just gotta get a little bit better, that’s all. But I’m proud of how we did tonight for what I thought we were going to be.”
With two top 10 finishes in each stage, Sauter was able to gather an extra nine points toward the championship. He looks to capitalize on their finish at next month’s race at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
“Just wish we could run with Kyle. He was just a little better tonight.”