'This was our best shot': Tanner Gray feeling the sting of Pocono finish

LONG POND, Pennsylvania — At the end of the day, second just wasn't what Tanner Gray needed. 

As the 26-year-old driver from Artesia, New Mexico, tries to make the Craftsman Truck Series playoffs for the first time in his sixth Truck Series season, a win is all that matters. 

Gray entered Friday's race at Pocono Raceway on the verge of must-win territory already. But despite a career-best runner-up result, he's still 83 points below the cut line with only four regular-season races to go. 

Barring one of the greatest regular season surges of all time, Gray will have to find his way to victory over the next four races — Lime Rock, IRP, Watkins Glen and Richmond — if he wants to partake in the postseason. 

"To start the year, everyone is going to be happy with second," Gray said. "It's a good points day, just a solid day. But with where we're at in points and what we need, second stings a little bit. I feel like this was our best shot at getting a win."