A pair of rookies – Zane Smith, who is locked in with a pair of wins, and Christian Eckes, who locked himself into the Playoffs following last week’s performance at Darlington based on points, are fighting for the Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award.
Smith continues to hold the top spot in the Gander Trucks Sunoco Rookie of the Year standings with a 39-point lead over Eckes.
But the outside of the Playoff bubble holds several Sunoco Rookies looking to vault into the Playoffs in their debut year in the Gander Trucks.
Derek Kraus (third in the Sunoco rookie standings) is sitting right below the Playoffs cutline and had a career best finish last weekend at Darlington of third. There are a few ways for Kraus to make it into the Playoffs. One would be with a win but he could also clinch with help if there’s a repeat or new winner.
Raphael Lessard made a jump in points and is now right behind Kraus in fourth in the rookie standings. He is also sitting in 12th in the Playoffs standings, below fellow rookie, Kraus.
| Rookies | Points |
| Zane Smith | 544 |
| Christian Eckes | 505 |
| Derek Kraus | 433 |
| Raphael Lessard | 377 |
| Tanner Gray | 350 |
| Ty Majeski | 299 |
| Tate Fogleman | 219 |
| Spencer Davis | 188 |
