NASCAR Truck Series at Dover 2015: Full Schedule, Standings and Preview
Dover International Speedway is one of the trickiest tracks in NASCAR, and the best drivers on the Camping World Truck Series circuit will attempt to tame the Monster Mile Friday in the Lucas Oil 200.
While superspeedways often receive much of the attention in NASCAR, short tracks like Dover often lead to the best and most exciting racing. With so little room to operate, there is usually no shortage of bumping and paint trading throughout the race.
With the majority of Friday's field being made up of drivers who are racing for points in the Truck Series, there could be some fireworks as they attempt to position themselves for a run at the championship.
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Here is a look at everything you need to know about the Lucas Oil 200, including further analysis regarding the drivers most likely to take the checkered flag.
Where: Dover International Speedway in Dover, Delaware
When: Friday, May 29 at 5:30 p.m. ET
Watch: Fox Sports 1
NASCAR Truck Series at Dover Schedule
| Thursday, May 28 | 2 p.m. | Final Practice | N/A |
| Friday, May 29 | 12:45 p.m. | Qualifying | Fox Sports 1 |
| Friday, May 29 | 5:30 p.m. | Lucas Oil 200 | Fox Sports 1 |
Entry List
| 00 | Cole Custer |
| 0 | Caleb Roark |
| 1 | Ryan Ellis |
| 02 | Tyler Young |
| 03 | Michael Affarano |
| 4 | Erik Jones |
| 05 | John Wes Townley |
| 6 | Norm Benning |
| 07 | Ray Black Jr. |
| 08 | Korbin Forrister |
| 8 | John Hunter Nemecheck |
| 10 | Jennifer Jo Cobb |
| 11 | Ben Kennedy |
| 13 | Cameron Hayley |
| 14 | Daniel Hemric |
| 15 | Mason Mingus |
| 17 | Timothy Peters |
| 19 | Tyler Reddick |
| 23 | Spencer Gallagher |
| 29 | Ryan Blaney |
| 31 | James Buescher |
| 33 | Brandon Jones |
| 36 | Tyler Tanner |
| 45 | BJ McLeod |
| 50 | Travis Kvapil |
| 51 | Daniel Suarez |
| 54 | Justin Boston |
| 59 | Kyle Martel |
| 63 | Justin Jennings |
| 74 | Timothy Viens |
| 82 | Austin Hill |
| 86 | Brandon Brown |
| 88 | Matt Crafton |
| 94 | Timmy Hill |
| 97 | Jesse Little |
| 98 | Johnny Sauter |
Truck Series Standings
| 1 | Matt Crafton | Leader | 2 |
| 2 | Erik Jones | -16 | 0 |
| 3 | Tyler Reddick | -18 | 1 |
| 4 | Johnny Sauter | -35 | 0 |
| 5 | John Wes Townley | -57 | 0 |
| 6 | Timothy Peters | -59 | 0 |
| 7 | Cameron Hayley | -64 | 0 |
| 8 | Justin Boston | -68 | 0 |
| 9 | Spencer Gallagher | -72 | 0 |
| 10 | Daniel Hemric | -81 | 0 |
Drivers to Watch
Ryan Blaney
Youngster Ryan Blaney has already made his mark on the Xfinity and Sprint Cup Series this season, but Friday will mark his first Truck Series foray of 2015, as he will look to guide a Brad Keselowski-owned truck to Victory Lane at Dover.
The 21-year-old son of former Cup driver Dave Blaney is viewed as one of the fastest-rising stars in NASCAR with five career victories to his credit already in the Xfinity and Truck Series. He is still searching for his first win this year, though, as some unfortunate luck has held him back.
That was the case in the Sprint Cup's Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, as he blew an engine while running well. Despite the less-than-ideal finish, Blaney believes he is making strides:
Perhaps that will translate to the Truck Series as he continues to search for a positive result. Dover may be the right place for him to get it, as he has enjoyed success on short tracks in the past.
He won an Xfinity Series race at Bristol last year, and while Dover is roughly twice the size, Blaney has proven that he can thrive in tight quarters.
Assuming Blaney can avoid the misfortune that has plagued him throughout 2015, he is a definite contender to win the Lucas Oil 200.
Erik Jones
No driver has risen to prominence more quickly this season than Erik Jones. Although he is only 18 years old, the Michigan native has competed in all three of NASCAR's top series this year and produced some fine performances along the way as well.
Jones has an Xfinity Series win to his credit, and while he has yet to win a Truck Series race in 2015, he does have four truck wins already in his young career. He is currently second in the standings behind leader Matt Crafton, and a win Friday could potentially vault him to the top.
Jones nearly won the May 15 Truck Series race at Charlotte, but a late caution gave Kasey Kahne new life and allowed him to narrowly beat out the young gun.
Following that race, Jones was extremely disappointed by the way things played out, according to FoxSports.com:
"I can't believe that NASCAR can't let us just finish the race. Second week in a row the fastest truck didn't win the race. It just sucks. I just can't believe we lost. I don't know what to say. It really, really hurts. …
I really, really wanted this one -- and so it's hard to come home in second.
"
While Jones may still be recovering from that letdown, he has a golden opportunity to put it behind him in the Lucas Oil 200 by finishing the job and taking the checkered flag.
Jones consistently has one of the best trucks on a weekly basis, and as long as he continues to grind and remain focused, it is only a matter of time before he comes away with a win.
Travis Kvapil
While most fans will likely be keeping an eye on the up-and-comers like Blaney and Jones in the Lucas Oil 200, there are plenty of veterans in the field with the ability to steal a win. Former Truck Series champion Travis Kvapil is among them.
The 39-year-old veteran has been running a limited schedule across the board, but he has enjoyed a great deal of success at Dover International Speedway over the years. Although he has never won a truck race at that track, he has come close on numerous occasions.
Kvapil has had three top-five finishes in seven Dover Truck Series races, which is a total that only Crafton can match, although he has had 14 tries.
While Kvapil hasn't won a truck race since 2007, he is an experienced driver who has nine victories on the circuit during his career.
If the likes of Blaney and Jones stumble, then Kvapil is among the likeliest candidates to take advantage.
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