Finally.
A season full of frustration for Todd Gilliland has finally turned into jubilation as the 19-year old outlasted the field Saturday to win the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series NASCAR Hall of Fame 200 at Martinsville.
Gilliland had been close to reaching victory lane over his 45 previous Truck Series starts, but as he continued to find ways to lose, he had drawn criticism from many, including his team owner Kyle Busch.
Gilliland, for at least one week, has silenced any criticism. He is now a Truck Series race winner.
Not only did Gilliland win, but he had to out muscle the most aggressive truck Series driver — Ross Chastain — to do so.
Chastain held on for the runner-up finish.
Johnny Sauter ended up third, Grant Enfinger rebounded from several crashes to finish fourth and Timmy Hill captured a fifth place finish driving the No. 56 truck that he owns.
Stewart Friesen, Jeb Burton, John Hunter Nemechek, Codie Rohrbaugh and Sheldon Creed rounded out the top-10 finishers.
It was a big day for Chastain and Friesen as they were the only two Playoff contenders to finish inside the top-10.
The other four contenders for the 2019 championship were Matt Crafton (23rd), Tyler Ankrum (25th), Austin Hill (26th) and Brett Moffitt (29th).
Moffitt won Stage 1 and Sam Mayer won Stage 2
Post-Race Stat Pack
