Why NASCAR world needed Grant Enfinger's Talladega win

Grant Enfinger. Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

NASCAR world needed feel-good story of Grant Enfinger's Talladega win

By Samuel Stubbs | Last updated Oct 4, 2024 8:10 PM ET

It seemed like nobody in the NASCAR garage was focused on this weekend's NASCAR Playoff races at Talladega Superspeedway.

Since Wednesday morning, the talk of the town was a lawsuit brought forth against NASCAR by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports.

However, Friday's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race may have changed that for the better with a result that can put a smile on every fan's face.

When the smoke settled and the dust cleared on Friday afternoon, it was 39-year-old Grant Enfinger who crossed the line first, earning the Fairhope, Ala., native a spot in the Championship Four.

The win doesn't just give Enfinger another opportunity to earn an elusive Truck Series championship, but is also the first-ever win for CR7 Motorsports — a team that finished 24th in the standings in 2023 with Colby Howard.

Now, the team has the opportunity to compete for the title.

A win at your home race track means so much more. pic.twitter.com/SvVjkgUlLF
— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) October 4, 2024

"We knew stuff was gonna get dicey," Enfinger told Fox Sports after the win. "We didn't make all the perfect decisions today. There's nothing like winning at your home track. I got my family here, it's the first win with my daughter and son here. On top of that, we get to race for a championship in Phoenix."

In 2023, Enfinger ended up second in the standings after a chaotic championship race at Phoenix. He and the No. 9 team weren't expected to be serious championship contenders, but they've consistently risen above expectations all season.

In a week where turmoil and anger have permeated every inch of the NASCAR world, Enfinger's victory encapsulated everything that's great about racing: A blue-collar driver breaking through at his home track with a new team — and, oh, by the way, earning the opportunity to fight for a championship along with it.

Samuel Stubbs

Hailing from the same neck of the woods as NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin, Samuel has been covering NASCAR for Yardbarker since February 2024. He has been a member of the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) since October of 2024. When he’s not writing about racing, Samuel covers Arkansas Razorback basketball for Yardbarker

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