charlotte trucks

I wish I could give you all some better advice, but the same day qualifying really limits what I can do. Best thing I can do is give you some thoughts on a bunch of guys I'll be looking to use so you have options once you know qualifying spots--

• J.H. Nemechek - Ton of speed at the 1.5 mile tracks this year. Most likely dominator and someone I'll probably lock in no matter where he starts. He and Kyle Busch have really dominated all three 1.5 mile track races this year. No Kyle this week, so JHN should take it.
• Sheldon Creed and Austin Hill - Love Hill at the 1.5 mile tracks. 2nd or 3rd in all three races this year. Not the same upside as Nemechek or Creed, but might be the safest bet for a Top 5. On Creed, he got some extra cash from an outside sponsor this week, so should be on the top of his game. Next best option to dominate after Nemechek. Big upside, but he's always very aggressive so has the downside too.
• Zane Smith - Outside shot to lead laps. Runs fast at the 1.5 mile tracks. Best option in the $9-10k range unless one of the others qualifies in the back.
  • A few quick things on the other guys in this range -- Enfinger is not in a ThorSport truck. He's in the Team Rohrbaugh #9, so somewhat more limited upside. Currey and Kraus also not in top tier trucks. And Kraus can't seem to run a clean race right now. Not really interested in any of these guys unless starting pretty far back.
• Ty Majeski - In a fifth ThorSport truck this week. Pretty solid option just under $8k. He ran 8th last year at Charlotte in a Niece truck and was generally solid at the 1.5 mile tracks in that truck. This is probably a little better truck compared to Niece.
• Drew Dollar - In the #51 truck which Kyle Busch has done so well in at the other 1.5 mile tracks this season. He's got ARCA experience at 1.5 mile tracks. Probably too cheap for how good of a truck he is in.
• Carson Hocevar - Seems too cheap. He's run pretty well this year and the Niece trucks overall have been OK at the 1.5 mile tracks.
• Austin Wayne Self - He's not wrecking this year and is racking up a bunch of Top 20 finishes. Very affordable and actually been one of the more reliable guys in this Series this season.
• Jack Wood - A GMS development driver who is up to this seat after Lessard's funding went away. He has very limited 1.5 mile track experience, but is in a top notch ride. Too cheap for the quality of the truck.

Practice at 11:30 (Eastern), qualifying at 5:30 and race at 8:30. You've got to check practice and qualifying results before finalizing your lineup. If I have time, I might throw up a quick update, but no guaranties.