Clayton Is Runner-Up In Second Pro Truck Start
MOBILE, Ala. – In just his second career start in a Pro Truck, Jacob Clayton earned a strong runner-up finish Saturday at Mobile Int’l Speedway.
After qualifying second with a time of 19.773 seconds around the half-mile paved oval, Clayton lined up on the outside of the front row for the 30-lap feature alongside fast qualifier Treyce Capers, thanks to a three inversion draw that flipped the top-three starters on the grid.
Clayton got the jump on the initial start, powering ahead to lead the first nine laps as Capers and Steven Davis fought wheel to wheel for second. That allowed Clayton to build a lead of more than 10 truck lengths before the caution flag waved on lap 10, when Davis cut a tire and slowed on the track.
The ensuing restart saw a bit of a stumble for Clayton, as Capers surged into the lead, but Clayton was closing back on the top spot when a second caution waved with five to go for a stalled truck.
That set up a sprint to the finish, with Davis using the preferred inside groove on the restart to move past Clayton into second as Capers escaped with the lead. Working the final lap, Clayton got a fender inside of Davis in turns three and four, leading to the slightest of door-to-door contact that sent Davis spinning.
Clayton was able to continue through the final corner to a second-place finish, his second consecutive top five and bettering the fourth place run he had at Mobile on March 30.
“I want to say that I hated that Steven spun there on the final lap; it was hard racing and certainly not my intent to get into him,” said Clayton of the contact. “I learned a lot in this race, though, from leading early to being able to work back into contention after those restarts put us up on the outside.
“All in all, we’re really happy with where the program is so far, and I can’t wait to head to Pensacola next week and race at a new track with the Pro Truck.
Clayton would like to thank Grant Thompson Racing, Grant and John Thompson, Supreme Lending Headquarters, Midwest Suspension Co., Race Face Digital, the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, Modern Images, and Swift Springs Elite Performance Industries for their partnership and support.
Clayton’s next scheduled Pro Truck start with Grant Thompson Racing is Friday, April 19 at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Fla.
It will mark his debut at the historic half-mile oval that routinely hosts some of the top super late model and pro late model drivers in the nation, in addition to Pro Trucks and other grassroots classes.
About Jacob Clayton
Jacob Clayton is a 13-year-old, second-generation driver from Smith Station, Ala., who began his racing career in 2021 in quarter midgets and has competed fulltime at the grassroots level over the past three years. His accolades include 15 overall victories, multiple top-10 finishes in national points with the NASCAR Youth Series (formerly the USAC .25 Series), and time in three senior quarter midget classes.
For 2024, Clayton has made the move into full-bodied cars, running a Pro Truck for Grant Thompson Racing at Mobile Int’l Speedway in his home state. The team also has its eyes on competing in races at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Fla., the home of the famed Snowball Derby super late model classic.
Off the track, Clayton is a staunch supporter of the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation’s fight against pediatric cancer, as well as a soccer lover and avid iRacer as he continues to hone his various skillsets.
