The 2016 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Chase grid had is finally complete after the American Ethanol E15 250, and thanks to Kyle Busch’s win in the regular season finale, it looks the same as it did entering the weekend.
Six series regulars earned victories during the 16-race regular season, with two more drivers making their way into the Chase on points.
All three of NASCAR’s current manufacturers will be represented in the first playoff. Four Toyotas will contest for the title, with three Chevrolets and a lone Ford completing the field.
This will be the first year for the Chase in the Truck Series. The playoff format will echo the one seen in the Sprint Cup Series over the previous two seasons, with a scaled-back three-round, seven-race schedule. Eight drivers enter, with two drivers being eliminated after each of the first two three-race rounds. Drivers can advance themselves either by scoring the most points or notching a victory in any round. The final championship round at Homestead-Miami Speedway will see the four remaining drivers compete in a race free of XFINITY Series or Sprint Cup Series regulars. The highest finisher of the four will earn the 2016 NCWTS crown.
The first round of the Chase will consist of New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway and a cutoff race at Talladega Superspeedway. The second round will follow with the field heading to Martinsville Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway and Phoenix International Raceway, with the championship round at Homestead ending the season.
Here’s the Chase grid following the regular season finale at Chicagoland.
- William Byron – 2,015 points (5 wins: Kansas, Texas, Iowa, Kentucky, Pocono)
- Matt Crafton – 2,006 points (2 wins: Dover, Charlotte)
- John Hunter Nemechek – 2,006 points (2 wins: Atlanta, MoSport)
- Christopher Bell – 2,003 points (1 win: Gateway)
- Johnny Sauter – 2,003 points (1 win, Daytona)
- Ben Kennedy 2,003 points (1 win: Bristol)
- Daniel Hemric – 2,000 points (Made on points)
- Timothy Peters – 2,000 points (Made on points)
Aaron Bearden is a Frontstretch alumnus who’s come back home as the site’s Short Track Editor. When he isn’t working with our grassroots writers, he can be found talking about racing on his Morning Warmup newsletter, pestering his wife/dog or convincing himself the Indiana Pacers can win an NBA title.