By Caleb Whisler, Staff Writer
When the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series arrives at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park, controversy and drama has ensued.
In the inaugural event, Chase Elliott dumped Ty Dillon on the final lap in the final turn. Elliott went on the inside of Dillon and made contact. The contact sent Dillon into the tire barrier. This race also saw a fight between the crew of Mike Seen and Max Papis.
In 2015, Ryan Blaney and Germán Quiroga had an intense battle to the checkered flag. Ultimately, Blaney took the checkered flag.
In 2016, Cole Custer and John Hunter Nemechek were battling for the lead on the final lap. After exchanging sheet metal and running into the grass coming to the checkered flag. They ultimately wrecked past the finish line. When Nemechek was coming to grab the checkered flag for the cool down lap, Custer came running and tackled Nemechek before being separated by NASCAR officials.
In 2017, there was a battle between Kaz Grala and Austin CIndric. In the final lap in, CIndric was able to get to the bumper of Grala. Cindric made a light tap to the bumper of Grala and sent him spinning. The win placed Cindric into the NASCAR Playoffs.
With the Chevrolet Silverado 250 being in the Playoffs for 2018, there are mixed reactions amongst drivers about how to approach Canadian Tire Motorsports Park.
Justin Haley hopes he is far enough ahead to where he doesn’t have to deal with a controversial last lap pass for the lead.
“I don’t know if I would handle it differently or not. I wasn’t put in that situation last year so I wouldn’t know how to react to it. Hopefully, we will bring a good truck and be far enough forward that it’s not an issue,” Haley said.
In a complete 180 from Haley, Matt Crafton, while speaking the same for Johnny Sauter, had a stern warning for those young drivers in the playoff field if they decide to do the same moves as previous years.
“At that point, as a veteran, if you do get drove through by one of those (young drivers), they got a championship to win and I guarantee you they won’t. If they are going to race me that way, I have no problem racing that way in the next few,” Crafton said firmly.
The Chevrolet Silverado 250 will air on Fox Sports 1 and Motor Racing Network beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, August 26.