The Craftsman Truck Series rolls into Austin, Texas for the XPEL 225, the first of a NASCAR tripleheader at the 3.4-mile road course.
In 2021, the Truck Series race had a wild finish between three veteran racers, allowing Zane Smith and Front Row Motorsports to go back-to-back in Austin. Sheldon Creed earned the pole in qualifying but an unapproved adjustment after sent them to the back of the pack, giving Cup Series driver Alex Bowman and Smith the front row. Behind them, talented road racer Parker Kligerman and king of the Truck Series, Kyle Busch. Smith swept the day, winning both stages, but was not leading on the second to last lap. Busch, Bowman, and Stewart Friesen going into the hairpin, turn 11, were right on each other’s tailgates. The three collide, allowing Smith to take the lead of the race, and he never looked back. He collected his second win of 2022.
Like last year, we have some veteran drivers looking to spoil the party and gain some seat time for their races. Kaz Grala is piloting the #1 Tundra for TRICON Garage. Alex Bowman returns to the #7 Silverado for Spire Motorsports. Last year’s Cup Race winner Ross Chastain is racing for Niece Motorsports in their #41 Silverado. Full-time Xfinity series driver, Parker Kligerman, makes his first start this year in the Truck Series for Henderson Motorsports in the #75 Silverado, which won at Mid-Ohio last July. A lot of experienced racers looking to steal a win from the full-time truckers.
Predictions:
Front Row Motorsports has brought a race-winning truck the past two years, first with Todd Gilliland and last year with Zane Smith. Look for the #38 Ford to be in contention for a win or a great finish. The veterans, Busch and Bowman, were fighting for the win last year before they collided, both of those drivers are very capable of winning this race. Kligerman, returning to the team he won with at Mid-Ohio, I believe he will be in contention just like he was last year. All four of these drivers have good chances of mastering these twenty turns and ending up in victory lane.
Guess who's back? @Alex_Bowman will drive the Spire Motorsports No. 7 Silverado for two races in the @NASCAR Truck Series. @HendrickCars will be the sponsor for both races. Learn more here: https://t.co/AAwJRMkidH pic.twitter.com/4xJpifTQpK
— Spire Motorsports (@SpireMotorsport) March 20, 2023
