HOMESTEAD, Fla. – Sophomore NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) driver Justin Haley has joked if he wins the 2018 title in Friday night’s Ford EcoBoost 200, he’s going to have his trophy labeled underdog.
For much of the Truck Series Playoffs, the GMS racer was expected to fold and quickly see his opportunity for a championship go south. Instead, his Kevin Bellicourt led team has risen to the challenge and will fight Noah Gragson, Brett Moffitt and Johnny Sauter for the coveted honor.
“Yeah, it’s going to be the label even when I win it,” Haley said during Championship 4 Media Day Thursday in Miami Beach. “And it’s not underdog, it’s dark horse. Yeah, it’s dark horse, and we were the seventh seed going into the playoffs.”
“No one even really had us going into the round of six. A lot of people didn’t even have us going to the playoffs, and we made it to the round of four to prove all the haters wrong. It’s been really fun.”
While fun is a hard word for others to swallow in the high-pressure no holds bar approach, Haley has glistened through adversity to win two races during the three-month stretch to Homestead – taking advantage in the Playoff opener at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park when the two leaders crashed in the last corner of the last lap.
Two weeks ago, Haley was poised to finish second at Texas Motor Speedway, but when Todd Gilliland ran out of fuel on the backstretch on the white flag lap, Haley roped his way to the Championship 4 lineup with his third career Truck Series victory.
At times between Texas and Homestead, the Winamac, Ind. native says he has dreamt of what the moment would be like to be crowned a national series champion.
“You always think about it when you’re in this position,” he said. “You can’t lie and say you’re not. You know, I thought a lot about it when I was running for the East championship, as well. But I don’t know, it’s just ‑‑ it’s one of those things where you never know what’s going to happen.
“Your motor could blow up lap 1. But like I said, as long as I had the opportunity to run for a championship, I’d make the most out of it, and I have the opportunity now. I’m planning on making the most out of it.”
With all that’s at stakes though, Haley said he’s back to reality and has told his team to approach the weekend as if it was the first race of the year at Daytona.
“I told everyone around me to keep it as regular as possible, no changes,” added Haley. “I told my girlfriend just be normal. We’re going to eat the same thing and do what we do. No, no, there’s nothing different about this week. I’ve done the same prep. Obviously, a little more media. ”
“I’ve been at the Chevy sim a little more than usual obviously just because of the week. But in terms of how often I’ve been to the shop, I’ve been there every day and working and team spirits have all been the same. Like I said, this is just a normal race for me, and that’s the only way we can look at it.”
Of course, once the engines crank for the final time in 2018, it will be more than just a normal race, it will be a chance for the maturing Haley to give back to those who have believed in him.
“It would mean a lot,” sounded Haley. “You know, looking at it, the K&N Series was the first series I ever ran full‑time and I got a championship there. So to be able to move up the ladder and click off those championships would obviously be key. I think it would mean a lot for my family, though. ”
“We’ve put a lot into this sport, and to see all the heart and blood that they’ve put into it and how much love and support they have behind me has meant a lot. I want to do it for everyone in GMS and my family, as well. It would just be pretty cool.”
“We’ve had a pretty killer season, though. It would be a disappointment if we didn’t win the championship, but it wouldn’t be career ending.”
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
