Loop Data: Johnny Sauter Makes Climb Up Statistical Ranks
Clearly – and statistically – Johnny Sauter needed some adaptation time to get used to the uniqueness of NASCAR Camping World Truck Series competition.
Sauter, a rookie in the series, nabbed his first series win in the last race at Las Vegas – an unlikely feat given the start to his season.
In the first six races of 2009, Sauter struggled, to say the least. He had one top 10 (a ninth-place run at Kansas) and an average finish of 18.5. His Loop Data statistics were, likewise, average. He had a Driver Rating of 70.4, an Average Running Position of 17.6, three Laps Led, 27 Fastest Laps Run, a Laps in the Top 15 percentage of 48.4% and a Pass Differential of plus 35 (passes minus times passed).
After that sixth race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, Sauter sat 18th in points.
But eventually Sauter acclimated, and is now one of the hottest drivers in the series. The last five races, starting with the event in Chicagoland, mark a distinct change in finishes, statistics and points standings position.
Sauter has finished in the top five in each of the last five races, notching an average finish of 3.6, a Driver Rating of 112.4, an Average Running Position of 6.4, 97 Fastest Laps Run, 62 Laps Led, a Laps in the Top 15 percentage of 96.9% and a Pass Differential of plus 70.
He now sits fifth in the points.
A real, and interesting, test lies ahead for Sauter at Martinsville Speedway.
The season’s first race at Martinsville (which was race No. 4) was arguably Sauter’s worst of the season. In that event, Sauter finished 27th with an Average Running Position of 30.6 and a Driver Rating of 58.4.
Up Next: Martinsville Speedway
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series has a couple weeks to prepare for the final short-track race of the season. The series will head to Martinsville Speedway for the Kroger 200 on Saturday, Oct. 24.
Martinsville is one of two tracks on the current schedule which hosts the series twice in the same season. The .526-mile track is also one of four tracks to host the series in all 15 seasons since 1995.
Only two drivers have managed to visit Martinsville’s Victory Lane more than once: Mike Skinner and Dennis Setzer. The two veterans are tied for the most wins with three.
Fast Facts
Next Race: Kroger 200
The Place: Martinsville Speedway
The Date: Sat., October 24, 2009
The Time: 1 p.m. ET
Race Distance: 200 laps / 105.2 miles
Track Layout: .526-mile oval
2008 Winner: Johnny Benson
2008 Polesitter: Ron Hornaday Jr.
Schedule: Friday: Practice, 10-11:20 a.m. and 1:10-2:00 p.m.; Qualifying, 4:40 p.m.
2009 Standings
Rk Driver Points
1 Ron Hornaday Jr. 3,210
2 Matt Crafton 3,013
3 Mike Skinner 2,955
4 Brian Scott 2,714
5 Johnny Sauter 2,647
6 Todd Bodine 2,645
7 Colin Braun 2,632
8 Rick Crawford 2,576
9 Timothy Peters 2,573
10 David Starr 2,552
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