DARLINGTON, S.C. — After a two-week break, drivers in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will return to competition in Friday night’s Buckle Up South Carolina 200 at Darlington Raceway.
Last year’s series champion, Corey Heim, returns to Truck Series competition for the first time since the second race of the season at EchoPark Speedway near Atlanta. The defending race winner at Darlington will drive the No. 5 Toyota for TRICON Garage.
Triple-duty driver Ross Chastain, who won the 2024 Craftsman Truck Series race at The Lady in Black, should provide strong competition in the No. 45 Niece Motorsports Chevrolet.
Christopher Bell, who also will compete in all three NASCAR races this weekend, will drive the No. 62 Toyota for Halmar Friesen Racing in Friday’s Truck Series race. Bell made one start in the series last year and one in 2024.
Series regulars Chandler Smith and Layne Riggs, both of Front Row Motorsports, have won two of the first three races this season (at Daytona and St. Petersburg, respectively), with Kyle Busch taking the checkered flag at EchoPark Speedway near Atlanta.
Riggs won the pole for last year’s Darlington race but finished 17th.
“Knocking down the first win of the season is a big weight off of everyone’s chest,” Riggs said of his victory on the St. Petersburg Street Course. “It’s a huge confidence booster. I have always enjoyed the challenge that Darlington brings.
“We have qualified well there in the past, but we can’t seem to put together a full race. It’s a place where there’s not much room for error. We’re excited to get back to racing, though, and I know this team will come out swinging.”
