(SPARTA, KY) The ASRS Sam Maxwell Customs Truck Series hit the rough and bumpy asphalt of Kentucky Speedway for the twelfth race of the 2017 season . 39 drivers attempted to qualify for the 36 truck starting field; Scott Haller, Zack Calloway and Josh Walker failed to qualify for the race. Michael Atkins, Jr. led the speed chart in qualifying, winning the pole for the 113 mile main event.
Atkins jumped to the lead but a series of early cautions slowed the pace dramatically and a mix of pit strategies stacked the field with fast trucks running throughout. The early dominator was Tom Giannini who played pit strategy and took the lead for 19 laps.
As the race neared the half-way point, green flag pit stops began for the leaders as the race took a green flag look midway. The green flag pit stops allowed many drivers to take turns leading the way, with nine drivers swapping the lead 11 times.
Late in the going, a caution flew that brought many front runners to pit road, but when the caution flew for the Dominic Lee turning then leader Jamie Moore in turns 3 and 4, it was Pete Baskins leading in the #3. Baskins had to fend off hard chargers on fresher tires and with faster trucks to maintain his track position in the laps leading up to the caution. At the checkered flag it was Pete Baskins scoring his first ASRS victory, Sam Maxwell finishing second, Atkins and Giannini third and fourth with Devin Serra rounding out the top five.
Fresh off his second place finish, Sam Maxwell took the championship lead after former leader Brad Cross and second place driver Jim Foose suffered early damage and were unable to compete for the win. Next up for the Sam Maxwell Customs Truck Series, the series heads to Eldora Speedway for the first race on dirt in series history.