Darrell  Wallace Jr. won Friday night’s Ford EcoBoost 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway and, by finishing ninth, Matt Crafton repeated as series champion.

Crafton and his ThorSport Racing No. 88 Menards Toyota Tundra captured the title by 21 points over second-place Ryan Blaney – becoming the first driver in Camping World Truck Series history to win back-to-back driver’s championships.

Earning his second driver’s title enabled Crafton to join Todd Bodine, Ron Hornaday and Jack Sprague as two-time NCWTS champions.

“It’s awesome,” Crafton said. “To say that I’ve done it back-to-back and no one has done that – it’s such a good, good feeling. Just remember watching Ron Hornaday race my dad back in the Southwest Tour days. He was an animal then and an unbelievable race car driver. To say I’m in the history books with Ron Hornaday — and all those great race car drivers – it’s great being in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. I still say it’s the best racing in NASCAR.”

Timothy Peters came home third, followed by Kyle Busch and Ryan Blaney, runner-up to Crafton for the series championship. Busch won the NCWTS owner’s championship in the No. 51 Toyota he drove on Friday night.

“Toward the end, battling the two Kyles—the (Sprint) Cup stars—it was tough,” Wallace said. “But I didn’t get too excited, didn’t get too down. I kept a cool head and stayed patient and was able to come out on top.”

Wallace won his fourth race of the season and fifth of his career in his final ride in the No. 54 Kyle Busch Motorsports Toyota, as the organization picked up its 14th victory in 22 races. Signed to Joe Gibbs Racing, Wallace is expected to move up to the NASCAR Nationwide Series next year.

“It is going to be sad to see him go,” Busch said, “but we’ve got another great shoe that’s going to be able to fit into that role really, really good with Erik Jones. It’s not that I’m saying good-bye, but I’m wishing him the best next year in what he gets to do, and I’m excited about his growth and opportunity to move up to the Nationwide Series.”

Wallace said he hopes to get plans for 2015 settled soon.

“I wish things were finalized,” Wallace said. “We’re continuing to work hard to find my future plans. For me, I’m just going to go play some golf while I’m down here in Miami and enjoy this win, enjoy the offseason.

“But as far as plans, we’re continuing to work hard.”

Larson said that he moved in on Wallace late in the race, the opportunity to bump his way into the lead presented itself.

“I thought about it—very quickly,” Larson said. “But I figured that would definitely be the wrong thing to do, especially in a Truck race where I’m just kind of out there to have fun, and Bubba’s out there to try to gain points, or whatever, and get the win.”

Ben Kennedy won the Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors in the series. Kennedy and Tyler Reddick tied in the rookie standings, with Kennedy winning the title because of his higher position in driver championship points.

—

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Race – Ford EcoBoost 200

Homestead-Miami Speedway

Homestead, Florida

Friday, November 14, 2014

1. (8) Darrell Wallace Jr., Toyota, 134, $42095.

2. (1) Kyle Larson(i), Chevrolet, 134, $27735.

3. (15) Timothy Peters, Toyota, 134, $21326.

4. (5) Kyle Busch(i), Toyota, 134, $16200.

5. (2) Ryan Blaney, Ford, 134, $16675.

6. (4) Tyler Reddick #, Ford, 134, $16450.

7. (7) Ty Dillon(i), Chevrolet, 134, $13000.

8. (14) Joe Nemechek, Toyota, 134, $15050.

9. (6) Matt Crafton, Toyota, 134, $15850.

10. (17) Johnny Sauter, Toyota, 134, $15925.

11. (3) Ross Chastain, Toyota, 134, $14550.

12. (13) Daniel Hemric, Chevrolet, 134, $14375.

13. (9) Jeb Burton, Toyota, 134, $14250.

14. (16) Spencer Gallagher, Chevrolet, 134, $14150.

15. (22) German Quiroga, Toyota, 134, $14875.

16. (18) Mason Mitchell, Ford, 134, $11675.

17. (11) Ben Kennedy #, Chevrolet, 134, $13825.

18. (10) Bryan Silas, Chevrolet, 134, $13725.

19. (20) Tayler Malsam, Chevrolet, 134, $13625.

20. (26) Austin Hill, Ford, 134, $11880.

21. (24) Matt Tifft, Chevrolet, 134, $11050.

22. (27) Justin Jennings, Chevrolet, 134, $13050.

23. (19) Joey Coulter, Chevrolet, 133, $12925.

24. (25) Tyler Young #, Chevrolet, 133, $12625.

25. (28) Kyle Martel, Chevrolet, 131, $10325.

26. (32) Todd Peck, Chevrolet, 131, $10975.

27. (33) Derek White, Chevrolet, 130, $9775.

28. (21) Ray Black Jr., Chevrolet, 130, $10575.

29. (23) Mason Mingus #, Chevrolet, 130, $9350.

30. (31) Jordan Anderson, Chevrolet, 129, $9150.

31. (30) Wendell Chavous, Chevrolet, Electrical, 114, $8600.

32. (29) Jennifer Jo Cobb, Chevrolet, Clutch, 58, $8575.

33. (36) Scott Stenzel, Chevrolet, Electrical, 11, $8550.

34. (35) Norm Benning, Chevrolet, Rear Gear, 7, $8525.

35. (12) John Wes Townley, Toyota, Accident, 6, $8495.

36. (34) Caleb Roark, Chevrolet, Vibration, 5, $8410.

Average Speed of Race Winner: 113.791 mph.

Time of Race: 01 Hrs, 45 Mins, 59 Secs. Margin of Victory: 0.293 Seconds.

Caution Flags: 7 for 28 laps.

Lead Changes: 13 among 5 drivers.

Lap Leaders: K. Larson(i) 1-25; J. Cobb 26; K. Larson(i) 27-42; K. Busch(i) 43; K. Larson(i) 44-74; D. Wallace Jr. 75; K. Larson(i) 76; D. Wallace Jr. 77; K. Larson(i) 78-100; B. Silas 101; K. Busch(i) 102; D. Wallace Jr. 103-114; K. Busch(i) 115-118; D. Wallace Jr. 119-134.

Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led): K. Larson(i) 5 times for 96 laps; D. Wallace Jr. 4 times for 30 laps; K. Busch(i) 3 times for 6 laps; B. Silas 1 time for 1 lap; J. Cobb 1 time for 1 lap.

Top 10 in Points: M. Crafton – 833; R. Blaney – 812; D. Wallace Jr. – 799; J. Sauter – 773; T. Peters – 746; G. Quiroga – 683; J. Coulter – 680; J. Burton – 679; B. Kennedy # – 679; B. Silas – 548.

No Comment