Through seven races of the 2023 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series season, six different winners have visited Victory Lane. When the series returns to action next weekend at Kansas Speedway for the Heart of America 200 (Saturday, May 6, at 8 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN, and SiriusXM Radio), it could very well see a seventh.
Zane Smith, Kyle Busch, Christian Eckes, Carson Hocevar, Joey Logano, and Corey Heim have all raced their way into Victory Lane this season. Smith is the only two-time winner.
ThorSport Racing’s Matt Crafton is searching for his first win, but it could be on the horizon. Crafton has three wins at Kansas Speedway, tying him for the all-time series lead at the track with Kyle Busch.
Of the six different winners this season, Smith, Eckes, Hocevar and Heim, are the four that have earned their spot in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoffs by virtue of their wins. This season, Front Row Motorsport’s Zane Smith is looking to become the second driver in the series history to win consecutive championships; joining Matt Crafton (2013-2014).
NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series – NEXT RACE
Next Race: Heart Of America 200
The Place: Kansas Speedway
The Date: Saturday, May 6
The Time: 8 p.m. ET
The Purse: $734,551
TV: FS1, 7 p.m. ET
Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
Distance: 201 miles (134 Laps); Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 30),
Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 60), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 134)
Making their way through the ranks
As NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series season approaches the halfway point of the regular season, several drivers have put themselves in favorable position compared to last year.
With a win at Martinsville under his belt, Corey Heim has locked himself into the 2023 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoffs – a feat he had hoped to accomplish in 2022. Heim is currently fourth in the standings after finishing 14th last season.
ThorSport Racing’s Hailee Deegan had an unfortunate start to this season after being taken out early in Daytona and Las Vegas, but she is bouncing back. Deegan tied her career best finish (sixth – Talladega, 2022) at Texas Motor Speedway and continues to run close to the top-10. Although she did not make the Playoffs last year, she still has plenty of time to race her way in this season. She currently sits 43 points outside the cutoff with nine regular season races left.
TRICON Garage’s Tanner Gray has two top-five finishes this season. Starting the 2023 season off strong, Gray recorded his best career finish at Daytona (second). The driver of the No. 17 sits eighth in the standings after finishing 15th last year.
Four competitors locked into NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoffs
With nine races left in the regular season, here’s a look at the current CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoff standings:
Locked In:
Four drivers have locked themselves into the 2023 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoffs by virtue of win this season – Zane Smith (Daytona, COTA), Christian Eckes (Atlanta), Carson Hocevar (Texas), and most recently, Corey Heim (Martinsville).
Currently in on Points:
Four drivers have built up a points cushion of 35 points or more over the Playoff cutoff following Martinsville – Ty Majeski (127 points above the Playoff cutoff), Ben Rhodes (+78), Grant Enfinger (+37), and Matt Crafton (+35).
Just 27 points above the cutoff and ranked ninth in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoff outlook is TRICON Garage’s Tanner Gray. Following behind Gray is Rackley W.A.R.’s Matt DiBenedetto, just 11 points above the cutoff.
Outside Looking In:
Another ten drivers sit outside the Playoff cutoff but still have plenty of time to race their way into the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoffs.
Kyle Busch Motorsports’ Chase Purdy is 11th in Playoff standings, 11 points behind Matt DiBenedetto. Sunoco Rookie of the Year candidate Nick Sanchez also sits 11 points off the final Playoff position.
Following Purdy and Sanchez is Jake Garcia (-33 points back from Playoff cutoff), Stewart Friesen (-36), Hailie Deegan (-43), Tyler Ankrum (-46), Colby Howard (-62), Rajah Caruth (-67), Kris Wright (-72), and Daniel Dye (-87).
NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, Etc.
Four NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series drivers entered this weekend at Dover – This weekend at Dover Motor Speedway, four CRAFTSMAN Truck Series drivers are entered to compete in Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race.
TRICON Garage’s Corey Heim will attempt to make his Xfinity Series debut this weekend, piloting the No. 24 Sam Hunt Racing Toyota. Heim won the most recent NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race at Martinsville Speedway.
GMS Racing’s Rajah Caruth will get behind the wheel of the No. 45 Alpha Prime Racing Toyota. The CRAFTSMAN Truck Series rookie has participated in nine Xfinity races in the last two years with an average finish of 22.8. This will be his second time visiting Dover Motor Speedway, he finished 38th at the track in 2022 after experiencing suspension issues.
Hill Motorsports’ Timmy Hill is entered to race this weekend in the No. 66 Motorsports Business Management Chevrolet. Hill is no stranger to the Xfinity Series, participating in 239 races since 2011, including nine at Dover. His best Dover finish was 16th in 2019.
Niece Motorsports’ Carson Hocevar will be attempting his Dover debut in the Xfinity series this weekend, piloting the No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet. Hocevar made his debut at COTA earlier this season, but only ran seven laps before being taken out for a transmission issue.
