Joey Clanton, who finished 23rd in last Wednesday's O'Reilly 200, is a fan of the improvements made at the Bristol Motor Speedway. The track was re-configured with variable banking, and that turned the half-mile raceway into one of the most-competitive tracks on the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

Clanton started 33rd in the No. 09 Zaxby's Ford F-150. He worked his way through traffic and posted a lead-lap finish. Since it was his second career start, Wood Brothers/JTG Racing took a more-conservative approach. The first goal was to finish, the second was to stay on the lead lap. That alone made the effort a success.

Clanton is sharing the driving duties in the No. 09 Zaxby's Ford with Stacy Compton. Clanton will drive at Gateway International Raceway on Sept. 1, then Compton will take his turn behind the wheel Sept. 15 at the New Hampshire International Speedway.

Joey Clanton, No. 09 Zaxby's Ford F-150: "The racetrack is incredible," he said. "In the past you could ride around a protect your position most of the night, then go racing at the end. With the added banking at the top, there are two really good racing grooves. You have to race from Lap 1 to the finish. We had to race our tails off the whole night.

"We raced our way all the way up to 14th. I raced up in the third or fourth groove. During the re-start with about 20 to go, we lost fourth gear. We had to ride around at the end in third gear. We probably would have gotten into the Top 10. We did well to stay on the lead lap.

"The track is 10-times better than it was. The Busch guys at Wood Brothers/JTG Racing and the Cup team are going to have an incredible race. I can't wait to see it. At the same time, I can't wait to get to Gateway. We were all right at Bristol, but we're taking a really good race truck to Gateway. That will be my third race in a row in the No. 09 Zaxby's Ford. We've built some continuity, so I think that should be a great race for us."

Race News

• Clanton earned $130,950 and now has earned $150,105 in 10 starts this year. He has $150,105 in 12 career starts in the Craftsman Truck Series.
• Clanton's next race with Wood Brothers/JTG Racing is at Gateway International Raceway on Sept. 1. Stacy Compton will drive the No. 09 Zaxby's Ford Sept. 15 at the New Hampshire International Speedway.
• Johnny Benson won the O'Reilly 200. Brendan Gaughan finished second, while Wood Brothers/JTG Racing teammate Mark Martin was third. Mike Skinner wound up fourth and Rick Crawford was fifth.