Twitchy Race Reports

(AVONDALE, AZ) The Sam Maxwell Customs Truck Series was back in action tonight from the short track of the Phoenix International Speedway for the 3rd and final race of Round 2 of Playoffs. Coming into the night 6 drivers were going after a spot in the Final 4. The evening seen 33 drivers make the trip to the dessert to compete in the 75-lap event in which honored all of Veterans who have or are serving this great country. Following qualifying it was Alex Giese putting his #77 on the pole followed by Sam Maxwell 2nd, Ty Hester 3rd, Jonathan Holstein 4th, and Jordan Ashlein rounded out the top 5. The race had 10 caution flag periods for 38 laps. There were 4 different leaders in which Jared Mogard led the most laps at 32, Tom Giannini led 27, Jonathan Holstein 15, and Ty Hester led just 1 lap. The action picked up on the opening lap at Maxwell was in the lead coming out of turn 4 on the opening lap and the #77 of Giese got into the left rear of Maxwell and sent him up and over a few times.

The early wreck gave Jonathan Holstein the race lead. Holstein would hang on to the lead for 10 laps before the yellow came out for Jim Foose who spun out in turns 1 and 2 with no damage. Following pit stops it would be Tom Giannini who would stay out would assume the lead of the race. This mixed the field up a little bit as some guys stayed out and some pitted. Off the restart the mix up seen a quick yellow as the #78 of Steve Trombly got into the #97 sending the #97 of Andy Veltman spinning. The mid portion of the race seen a few more yellow flags involving minor incidents. Some of the leaders would make their final stop on lap 50 when the yellow was out setting them up for a 25-lap run to the end of the event.

Through a few more caution periods it was Tom Giannini who would try to fend off the drivers who pitted on lap 50 under yellow. Giannini’s efforts would come up short as Mogard would get by the #33 with just roughly 10 laps to go. Mogard would have to withstand two final late race restarts before the yellow came out ending the race under yellow and giving Mogard his 4th Victory on the 2017 SMC Truck Series Season. Behind Jared Mogard it was Devin Serra 2nd, Jamie Moore 3rd, Zack Calloway went from 22nd to finish 4th, and Ty Hester rounded out the top 5 finishing 5th.

As mentioned this was Jared Mogard’s 4th Truck Win on the season and his 25th Career ASRS Victory. He had this to say following the win “Feels good to get back into victory lane in the truck series. I just want to thank all my sponsors; Twitchy Race Reports, Coffman Racing Graphics, Kris Titus and team Maxxed Out Motorsports. I want to thank all the Veterans past and current who serve and protect us and allow us to race every week. I want to give a shout out to Karla as we continue to think about her and to Nick Coffman as he lost his Grandma roughly a week ago. Got to thank Jim for the awesome league and to Prime Time TV for coming on board to bring these Truck races to all the great fans. On to Homestead now to try and get another W.”

As for the Playoff drivers Devin Serra led the way finishing 2nd and will be a part of the final 4 next week, Jason Stewart 6th and will also punch his ticket to the final 4, Jim Foose struggled a bit finishing 20th but it was enough to get himself into the championship finale next week, and the 4th and final driver to battle for the title next week will be Allan Young who finished 24th. Brad Cross was in attendance tonight but had connection issues in which resulted in the end of Cross’s championship hopes, and Michael Atkins Jr. was not in attendance tonight as he has withdrawn himself from ASRS competition to take on different activities.

Next week the 2017 Sam Maxwell Customs Truck Series heads to the Homestead-Miami Speedway for the Championship Finale. Which one of the Final 4 will be crowned the Champion? Be sure to head over to Prime Time Racing TV on Facebook give them a “like” and be sure to check out the LIVE broadcast next week as we crown a champion.