After a fantastic start to the season, which included a victory at Atlanta Motor Speedway, the last four weeks have been difficult for Christian Eckes and McAnally-Hilgemann Racing in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
However, as the series returns to Kansas Speedway, the speed is certainly there for two-time NASCAR Truck Series winner, scoring the pole for Saturday’s Heart of America 200, posting a lap time of 30.932 seconds (174.576mph).
The Middletown, New York native collected the first-place starting spot for Saturday’s event at the 1.5-mile facility, his fourth in the series, and his first since competing part-time for Kyle Busch Motorsports in 2019.
Kyle Busch, contesting his fourth of five starts in the NASCAR Truck Series this season, will start alongside Eckes on the front row, as he looks to capture his second victory of the season at Kansas.
Chase Purdy, driving for Kyle Busch Motorsports, will start in third, while Rookie of The Year contender Jake Garcia will start on the outside of the second row. Ben Rhodes, the 2021 NASCAR Truck Series champion, will start in fifth.
Nick Sanchez, Zane Smith, Tanner Gray, Ty Majeski, and Daniel Dye completed the top-10 in qualifying for the eighth NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event of 2023. Other notables include Ross Chastain in 20th, Matt Crafton in 21st, and Tyler Ankrum in 24th.
Toni Breidinger, making her NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut for TRICON Garage, will start Saturday night’s event from 24th place, after competing in Saturday’s ARCA Menards Series event at the 1.5-mile facility.
Spencer Boyd, driving the No. 12 for Young’s Motorsports, failed to make a qualifying lap and will start the event from 36th, alongside Tim Viens on the final row in the field. With only 36 trucks entered, all drivers will qualify.
Qualifying Results / Starting Lineup:
Qualifying Results: NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Heart of America 200 at Kansas
