Gaughan edges Leffler for third victory of year

MADISON, Ill. (AP) -- Brendan Gaughan held off Jason Leffler by a truck length Saturday night in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series' Dodge Ram Tough 200 at Gateway International Raceway.

Gaughan, who pushed his Dodge to the front for the final time on the 50th of 160 laps, led the rest of the 200-mile race for his third victory of the season.

Leffler, also driving a Dodge, closed the gap to 0.222 seconds at the checkered flag but his final challenge -- in Turn 3 of the 1.25-mile speedway -- fell short.

Travis Kvapil finished third in his Chevrolet to preserve a 34-point championship lead over Gaughan after 12 of 25 races.