The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series’ return to Rockingham Speedway, after more than a decade away, is destined to be a must-see event, and for some drivers, it provides an opportunity to score their first career victory.
Jake Garcia, in his third full season of NASCAR Truck Series competition, is one of those drivers, after winning the pole for Friday’s Black’s Tire 200 at the iconic short track in Rockingham, North Carolina.
The Monroe, Georgia-native placed his No. 13 Quanta Services Ford F-150 on the pole for Friday’s event, posting a lap time of 22.050 seconds (166.040mph).
It’s the first career pole position for Garcia, who is currently in the midst of his second season with ThorSport Racing.
Chandler Smith, winner of the last NASCAR Truck Series event that took place at Bristol Motor Speedway, will start on the outside of the front row.
Ben Rhodes, Connor Mosack, and Layne Riggs complete the top five that includes four Ford F-150s — two from Front Row Motorsports and two from ThorSport Racing.
Bayley Currey, after the heartbreak of last weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway, will start Friday’s event from sixth, with Kaden Honeycutt, Gio Ruggiero, Ty Majeski, and Tanner Gray rounding out the top-10.
Other notables include Sammy Smith (11th), Corey Heim (15th), Tyler Ankrum (16th), Daniel Hemric (17th), Corey Day (18th), Grant Enfinger (19th), Stewart Friesen (20th), Rajah Caruth (22nd), and Brandon Jones (29th).
With only 35 drivers entered in Friday’s 200-miler from Rockingham, all drivers that made a qualifying lap, and even Cody Dennison (who didn’t because of a blown engine), will take the green flag on Friday night.
The Black’s Tire 200 at Rockingham will take place on Friday, April 18th at 5:00 PM ET on FS1, NASCAR Radio Network, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.
