By: Ashley McCubbin

When you speak of races for a title, the Lucas Oil 150 for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series is the way you want to see things go down. The event ultimately saw the Championship 4 drivers at the front in the final, with the top-three being made up of those guys.

Ben Rhodes knew he did not have the fastest truck on the track, so he played the strategy of taking two tires. He was initially able to grab the advantage, but a second caution was the downfall. He tried to find any way he could to hold off Zane Smith, and then did everything to try and get back by him. At the same time, Chandler Smith was able to close the full gap on them for the top spot, and tried to find his own way by in hopes of being the champion.

Who would expect to watch the trio run side-by-side-by-side, three-wide in a challenge for the top spot?

Ultimately, Zane Smith consistently running up front and challenging for victories showcased through at the end of the night as he was able to beat the others across the finish line, score the victory, and become champion. Experience mattered there, too, given the fact he had come up a couple spots shy the past two years.

Ty Majeski also played a big part in the midst of the battle, challenging for spots within the top-four as the laps dwindled down. Unfortunately, an ill-timed move and getting loose resulted in a spin, kissing his hopes of a championship goodbye.

As the Truck Series has done throughout the year, they put on a show right from the green flag with battles throughout the whole field, including five-wide chaos even on the restarts. It had everyone on the edge of their seat, eyes on the foursome, curious as to what would happen next.

Look at the NASCAR Cup Series race today – a single car dominating, a couple battles, but track position ultimately the name of the game. The NASCAR Xfinity Series is one step closer to what we saw in the Truck Series, but still not to their level.