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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Johnny Sauter wins at Texas, 4th NASCAR Truck victory of year

In this Feb. 16, 2018 file photo, Johnny Sauter celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Truck Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. (Chuck Burton / Associated Press)
Associated Press

FORT WORTH, Texas – Johnny Sauter held off Stewart Friesen in a three-lap shootout at Texas Motor Speedway on Friday night for his fourth NASCAR Camping World Truck Series victory of the season and 21st overall.

Sauter matched his season high for victories in only the eighth event of the season. The 40-year-old Wisconsin driver won for the fifth time on the 1 1/2-mile oval.

“I complained about it all night long, just no balance, no grip,” Sauter said. “We made great adjustments and played the track position game. That’s where the speed is at, getting in clean air. This has been a dream start and proud to get this win. I’m speechless. Don’t know what to say anymore. Five wins at Texas, it’s awesome.”

Sauter has won six of the last 11 races and has top-threes in 10 of the last 12.

“The pit crew was flawless, as always,” said Sauter, the series points leader.

Friesen, who finished 14th in points as a rookie last season, finished 0.092 back to match his best career finish.

“I knew he’d be aggressive,” Sauter said about the 34-year-old Canadian. “He was hungry for his first win. I got a good launch and that’s all it took. Justin Haley helped push me along. Going into Turn 3 on the last lap I ran out of fuel, but then it fired up.”

Justin Haley, a 19-year-old, was third to also match his best result.

Rookie Todd Gilliland led for 62 of the 167 laps and finished sixth.

Todd Bodine has a track-record six Truck races at Texas.