BROOKLYN, Mich. — NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) rookie driver Todd Gilliland had a great run and showed considerable speed in the Irish Hills at Michigan International Speedway during Saturday afternoon’s Corrigan Oil 200.
Gilliland, driver of the No. 4 Mobil 1 Toyota Tundra for Kyle Busch Motorsports flexed his muscle and found himself in contention for his first career Truck Series – but instead settled for fifth.
After the race, the third-generation racer seemed upbeat and believes his No. 4 team are just one adjustment away from getting that elusive first win that likely would springboard him into the post-season Playoffs.
“We had a really fast Mobil 1 Toyota Tundra today and we just needed something, a little bit more to compete with those guys – (Johnny) Sauter and (Brett) Moffitt this weekend,” said Gilliland who racked in his seventh top-10 performance of 2018.
“We’re getting there every week for sure, but it kind of hurts to be that close. I felt like we were one adjustment away and, in these races, you get like one-and-a-half chances at it. That’s just something I’m not used to, and I need to get a little better.”
The problem for Gilliland and his Marcus Richmond-led team? He’s running out of time.
Just one race remains before the Playoffs begin North of the Border at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park later this month.
Of course, Gilliland has only raced 11 of the 15 races this season because of his age restriction. But since turning 18 before Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway in May, the Sherrills Ford, N.C. native is trying to make up for lost time.
Despite gallant efforts including a second-place finish at Gateway (Ill.) Motorsports Park in June, Gilliland needs to seal the deal.
With Bristol on his mind next Thursday night, Gilliland is focused and ready to act on every opportunity possible.
“We just need to keep learning every week and I feel like we’re just one part away every race and that’s a good feeling and also a bad feeling,” Gilliland added. “You mention one race left and the KBM stuff has been really good there at Bristol in the past, so we’ll see what we can do.”
If there’s good news for Gilliland to be had before even getting to “Thunder Valley” – Kyle Busch Motorsports is the defending champion of the UNOH 200.
And Gilliland, the son of former Cup Series driver David Gilliland hopes to use the resources around him, including team owner Kyle Busch to give him the confidence he needs to propel him into the Playoff picture – even if there are some who disagree with him having an opportunity to be eligible, to begin with.
CATCHFENCE.com senior writer Chris Knight contributed to this report.
