The Camping World Truck Series is set for its final race of 2022 in Phoenix, with four drivers with a chance to win a Drivers’ Championship.
Homestead gave us Ty Majeski earning his second win this season, the perfect time to start showing speed. This sets up the championship four: Majeski, Zane Smith, Chandler Smith, and Ben Rhodes.
Majeski’s two wins came at Bristol and Homestead. Zane Smith with wins at Daytona, Circuit of the America’s, and Kansas. Chandler Smith earned victories at Las Vegas, Pocono, and Richmond. While Rhodes’ only win of the season came at the Bristol Dirt race.
The 2021 Lucas Oil 150 at Phoenix was won by Chandler Smith, who led 39 laps. With Smith out of the playoffs last season, the championship was won by Ben Rhodes, who finished third, never leading a single lap.
The Track:
Phoenix Raceway is a 1-mile tri-oval located in Avondale, Arizona. The Raceway was built in 1964, and originally designed for open-wheel racing, the track would not host NASCAR until 1978. With its low banking, only 11 degrees at its highest, Phoenix is a flat track, comparable to a short track. Kevin Harvick holds the wins record for the Truck Series at Phoenix, with four wins – 2002, 2003, 2008, and 2009. Since 2020, Phoenix has hosted the championship round for all three national series. Sheldon Creed won the Truck Series Championship in 2020, and Ben Rhodes in 2021.
Predictions:
Chandler Smith. He won this race last year gifting Rhodes the championship. This year he crosses the line first and earns himself a Truck Series title. He won Richmond this year, with Richmond and Phoenix having similar track characteristics, low banking, and track length. Smith led 176 of 250 laps there. If he is bringing the truck he won at Richmond to Phoenix, this race and championship should be his.
How to Watch:
- Practice: Thursday, November 3rd, 7:05 PM
- Qualifying: Friday, November 4th, 5:05 PM
- Race: Friday, November 4th, 7:05PM on FS1
