Dillon, Buescher take tight points battle to Martinsville

Philadelphia, PA – After taking the past two weeks off, the Camping World Truck Series returns to action on Saturday at Martinsville Speedway.

Rookie Austin Dillon holds only a one-point lead over James Buescher with four races to go. Timothy Peters is 26 points behind, while Parker Kligerman trails by 34.

In March, Dillon competed in a truck race at Martinsville for the first time, as he qualified and finished second. Buescher placed one spot behind Dillon in third.

"We had a really fast truck when we came here in the spring," Dillon said. "The team has grown a lot since the last race at Martinsville. I know we have what it takes to contend for the win."

Dillon has scored top-10 finishes in each of the last five races, including his first win in the series on Aug. 31 at Atlanta.

Buescher leads the series with four wins this season. All of his victories have come at 1.5-mile racetracks -- Chicagoland, Kansas and both races at Kentucky.

"I'm happy that the off-weeks are over, and we can get back to racing," Buescher said. "Martinsville is a tough track to get a hold of. It's a totally different animal. Coming off a top-three the last time we were there, I feel good about going back. I'm just looking to keep track position and keep it up front."

Peters is the only one among the top-four drivers in points that has previously won a truck race at Martinsville. His maiden truck win came at this 0.526-mile track in Oct. 2009.

"It always gives me confidence going back there knowing that I was able to check the win box off my first time there," Peters said.

Peters has finished eighth or better in the last three races at Martinsville.

After finishing a truck race in the runner-up position five times, Kligerman finally became a first-time winner in the series on Oct. 6 at Talladega.

In August, Kligerman was relieved of his driving duties with Brad Keselowski Racing, but he quickly landed a ride with Red Horse Racing, where he has scored five top-10 finishes in seven races.

"I've always considered myself to be 100 percent focused no matter what, but anytime you can go out there and win and walk into the racetrack the next week as the most recent winner, it always gives you a little more pep in your step and a little more confidence," Kligerman said.

Kligerman has finished no better than 11th in his three truck starts at Martinsville.

Denny Hamlin and Kevin Harvick are those Sprint Cup Series regulars competing in this race. Hamlin won the truck event at Martinsville one year ago, and Harvick took the checkered flag there earlier this year.

Forty-two teams are on the preliminary entry list for the Kroger 200.

Series: NASCAR Camping World Truck. Date: Saturday, Oct. 27. Race: Kroger 200. Site: Martinsville Speedway. Track:0.526-mile oval. Start time: 2 p.m. (et). Laps: 200. Miles: 105.2. 2011 Winner: Denny Hamlin. Television: Speed. Radio: Motor Racing Network (MRN)/SIRIUS NASCAR Satellite.