By Caleb Whisler, Staff Writer
After starting from the pole and winning the first stage, Noah Gragson was a contender in the JEGS 200 at Dover International Speedway. However, a late race battle for the lead with Johnny Sauter cost Gragson the victory.
Due to the second to last restart on Lap 188, Gragson was able to pass Sauter, but Sauter did not let go. As they were barreling down the backstretch, Gragson was on the inside of Sauter banging on his door. However, Gragson lost control and spun his truck into the outside wall.
“Just pushed it over the limit and I take full responsibility for what happened. Just sometimes – it’s so hard to win these things, so you give 100 percent and sometimes you cross the line when you’re in the situation like that,” Gragson stated. “I was racing for the win and tried to side draft him and we hit off each other and I went around. It’s just hard racing – no fault to Johnny (Sauter). I respect him as a driver and that’s just a racing deal.”
Gragson finished the race in 20th.