Gilliland Uses Overtime Shootout to Claim Ninth in Season Finale at Phoenix

Start: 22nd (based on qualifying formula)
Finish: 9th

• Stage One: 15th
• Stage Two: 14th
• Stage Three: 9th

• Todd Gilliland started 22nd at Phoenix Raceway on Friday in the No. 38 Frontline Enterprises Ford F-150 in the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series season finale. He felt that he was losing grip the longer he ran, but had worked his way up to 14th by lap 30. He was 15th on lap 45 when Stage One ended. He told his Front Row Motorsports team he needed help with his drive off, so during his pit stop they gave him four new tires, fuel and chassis adjustments. With a fast stop, he gained five spots on pit road.

• When the second stage began on lap 54, Gilliland restarted 10th. He said his entry was better, but he was still tight. He was 14th when the second stage ended on lap 90. He pitted again for sticker tires, fuel and a wedge adjustment to help free up the truck. The pit crew had another quick stop, which helped him pick up four positions on pit road.

• As the final stage began with 51 laps to go, Gilliland was 10th. He had fallen back to 15th when the first non-stage-ending caution of the race came on lap 105. Crew chief Chris Lawson called him to the pits for new tires and more adjustments. He restarted 13th, but fell to 15th again. It looked as though that is where he would finish, until an accident brought out a caution with two laps remaining in the race. With one more set of sticker tires on the wall, Gilliland came to pit road to prepare for the two-lap shootout to end the race. He restarted 13th and when the field took the green for the final time the trucks fanned out across the width of the track. Gilliland kept fighting for position until he crossed the finish line and was scored in ninth place.

• Gilliland ended the season 10th in the driver point standings with four top-five and 10 top-10 finishes.

Gilliland on Phoenix: "Tonight's race is a good example of why you never give up. We struggled with the handling throughout the race and never had the track position we wanted. When the last caution came out for the overtime finish, we knew that was the chance we needed to get a better result. We pitted for our last set of sticker tires, so that gave us some speed at the end, especially since some of the leaders stayed out.

"We've had a lot of ups and downs this season, but we always went through it as a team. I couldn't ask for a better group of guys and sponsors. Thanks to Frontline Enterprises and Fire Alarm Systems for being on my truck tonight. We have so many great partners like Speedco, Love's and Black's Tire who have supported us all year. I also have to thank Ford Performance for everything they do for us and our owner, Bob Jenkins."