(ROCKINGHAM, NC) Rockingham Speedway’s Camping World Truck Series history might be short, but the famed 1 mile high banked track has provided such great racing in it’s short time on the schedule. What makes Rockingham so good is the fact that it’s not perfect, the surface is worn, the shape is a bit awkward and the high banks provided multiple grooves as drivers search for any grip.
Zac Bozanich led the field to the green with Jared Mogard set to lead the outside lane, but Mogard’s truck didn’t start on the grid and moved championship leader Robby Baskins to the front row. Mogard’s #00 would start, but joined the race after the green flag flew. Bozanich and Michael Atkins, Jr. fought side by side for lead for several laps.
The first 77 laps ran caution free, including a green flag pit stop for everyone between lap 48-52. Bozanich set such a blistering pace and the tires fell off so much that just five drivers remained on the lead lap when the first caution flew. Alex Bates received the Free Pass, while three drivers took the wave around, which can be a risky move at a track as slippery as Rockingham.
Two more cautions flew, one on lap 88 for Mitchell Brown, and the race ended under the caution as Shawn Musick and Joe Johnson made contact, collecting Gene Collum and others.
Bozanich remained on the track following the lap 88 caution, while the rest of the lead lap drivers pitted. But the gamble paid off as Bozanich was leading as the final caution flew, taking home his first Camping World Truck Series win. Atkins, Jr. was second followed by Travis McQuistion, Robby Baskins and Jim Foose rounded out the top five.
Baskins was able to add one point to his lead in the championship standings which now stands at 6 points over Jim Foose. The Camping World Truck Series takes next week off before returning June 14th Iowa Speedway.