TRUCK: Salem race notes

Veteran Steve Christman Takes ARCA Truckers at Salem

SALEM IN (9-13-08) -- ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series veteran Steve Christman, in the Bagman Racing Chassis-R&B Fabrication Chevy S-10, raced from the 10th starting position to win the Advance Auto Parts 50 Saturday afternoon at Salem Speedway.

The Fort Wayne, Indiana driver took the lead for the final time on lap 28, and then held off Nick Gullatta to earn the hard-fought victory and first-ever at Salem.

"Can't think of anyone else I'd rather be battling with out there other than Nick (Gullatta)," said Christman. "He races me hard, but always clean. Our truck was really working. I could put it about anywhere I needed to."

Christman was also the 2BKool Fast Qualifier, and had to work from mid-pack because of a series-mandated inversion that inverted 10 trucks. Christman also earned the Ed & Company Hard Charger award for advancing the most positions.

Christman drove underneath Gullatta for the lead on the 18th lap; however, Gullatta slipped back past Christman four laps later. Gullatta led six circuits before Christman reassumed command. From there, Christman managed to keep Gullatta at bay long enough to cross under the checkered flag one length ahead of Gullatta, who had to settle for second in the Thomson Automotive-Mr. Heater-Enerco Chevy.

Mike Young, who was part of the lead pack battle much of the way, finished third in the Hydro Technology-Dave White Chevrolet.

Current ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series point leader Paul Hahn finished fourth in the Hahn's Powder Coating-Fox Auto Parts-Howe Racing Chevy Colorado with Ash Hawkins trailing in fifth in the A&K Racing Chevy.

Polesitter Norm Weaver led the first lap but fell back with mechanical trouble handing the lead to Ron Wells, who led 16 laps before Christman and Gullatta asserted themselves as victory contenders.

Nathan Trepkowski, Robbin Slaughter, Bill Withers, Tim Schafer and Kenny Kirsch completed the top-10 finishers respectively.

The ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series will wrap up its 2008 season Saturday, October 11th with the Toledo 100 by Champion Credit Union at Toledo Speedway. The event will serve as the preamble for the next-day ARCA RE/MAX Series season finale.

-credit: arca