The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is one race away from the 2024 playoffs. Here’s where things stand:
Storylines
It’s been a two-horse race between Christian Eckes and Corey Heim all season. At 673 points, Eckes leads the way in driver’s points by 50 markers despite just three victories — two fewer than Heim. It would take a catastrophic circumstance for Eckes to surrender the points lead during the regular-season finale at Richmond (Va.) Raceway.
Eckes’ victories came at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway, Martinsville (Va.) Speedway and Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway. In the latter, he led all 150 laps in a dominant, nearly unprecedented performance. He has just one finish outside the top 10 this season — a brake issue at Atlanta Motor Speedway in February.
While Heim has the most victories at five, he’s had a few inconsistencies that have likely thwarted his chance at the regular season crown. He crashed and finished 28th at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway and finished last at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Last week at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, Heim and Eckes made contact with Heim getting the worst of it. He dropped through the field with damage and ultimately finished 17th. The two exchanged words after the race.
Just one other driver has multiple victories: Nick Sanchez. He won the season opener at Daytona (Fla.) Int’l Speedway for his long-awaited first victory and got his second triumph at Charlotte.
Among full-time drivers, Ty Majeski and Rajah Caruth are each responsible for a victory and a spot in the playoffs. Majeski won at IRP, breaking a year-long drought dating back to last year at the midwest short track. He locked himself into the playoffs on points during the race before ultimately winning.
Caruth scored his first victory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March, becoming just the third Black driver to win a NASCAR national series race.
NASCAR Cup Series regular Kyle Busch has two Truck Series victories this season while Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain has one.
Playoff Bubble
The Truck Series regular-season finale is shaping up to have plenty of drama.
Seven spots in the playoffs are finalized: five on wins and two on points — Tyler Ankrum and Grant Enfinger — leaving three spots up for grabs at Richmond.
At 48 markers to the good, TRICON Garage’s Taylor Gray is eighth on the playoff grid. Two-time and defending series champion Ben Rhodes has just a 22-point advantage above the cutline, while Tanner Gray is five points above Daniel Dye for the final spot.
Behind Dye is Friesen, who trails the cut line by just 16 points in a season that’s seen just four top 10s. Though, all four of those results have come in the last six races as he was as low as 17th in points this season.
While still mathematically able to advance on points, three-time series champion Matt Crafton (-43) and Chase Purdy (-44) are in must-win scenarios, along with the six other full-time drivers: Dean Thompson, Layne Riggs, Jake Garcia, Bayley Currey, Ty Dillon and Bret Holmes.
What Lies Ahead
It’ll be a relatively familiar path through the playoffs for the Truck Series. Rather than IRP commencing the seven-race stretch, the Milwaukee (Wis.) Mile begins the Round of 10 with Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway and Kansas Speedway following.
Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway, Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway and Martinsville make up the Round of 8. It’ll be the first time in five years the Truck Series visits Martinsville twice. Of course, Phoenix Raceway concludes the season.
Who will win the battle: Eckes or Heim, or could a surprise steal the thunder in the Truck Series playoffs?