Over the last couple of months, it hasn’t mattered which series Carson Hocevar has been competing in, he’s been firing on all cylinders, a trend which continued in Friday’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event at Nashville.
Hocevar, driving the No. 42 Chevrolet Silverado for Niece Motorsports, was able to lead the final 40 laps of Friday’s 200-mile contest en route to his second victory in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
However, the native of Portage, Michigan couldn’t just stroll to the victory, having to get up on the wheel during a three-lap shootout to the end of the race, which was triggered by an accident involving Stewart Friesen and Christian Eckes.
Over the course of the event’s final four miles, Hocevar was able to maintain the lead, but faced a substantial challenge from Zane Smith, who finished second to Ryan Preece in this event one season ago.
As the leader crossed the start-finish line to take the white flag, Nick Sanchez also appeared as a minute threat for the victory, after making the decision to bolt on tires that were 50 laps fresher than that of the eventual winner.
Sanchez, fighting to put himself into the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Playoffs, would end up finishing in third, after winning the pole and leading the opening 35 laps of Friday’s 150-lap contest.
Corey Heim, one of six drivers who elected to stay on track under the race’s final caution, would come home in fourth place, while Bayley Currey, a teammate to Hocevar at Niece Motorsports, rounded out the top five.
Chase Purdy was able to muster a finish of sixth in Friday’s event at Nashville, marking his second straight top-10 finish in the NASCAR Truck Series, which was much-needed after a string of poor finishes earlier in the year.
In a home race for Rackley WAR, Matt DiBenedetto picked up his fourth consecutive finish inside the top-10, coming home seventh in the Rackley Roofing 200. Meanwhile, Tyler Ankrum, Ben Rhodes, and Jake Garcia completed the top-10.
Jake Drew, making his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut in a fifth entry for ThorSport Racing, came home in 12th place, after being one of several drivers to take fresh tires on the final caution of the evening.
Friday’s 150-lap contest featured a total of 43 laps under caution, a result of seven caution flags. The most notable of which was the first, which was displayed when Lawless Alan and Hailie Deegan crashed in turn three, collecting Jack Wood.
Following a second accident, Alan had some strong words about the driver of the No. 13 Ford F-150, saying “She’s talentless” and “She does it to fucking everyone”. Alan would finish 36th, while Deegan continued on, finishing 28th.
Leaving Nashville, Corey Heim continues to lead the regular-season point standings, despite sitting out at WWT Raceway due to illness. Zane Smith sits second, 16 points behind the TRICON Garage driver.
Grant Enfinger, Ty Majeski, and Ben Rhodes hold the top-five spots, while the battle for the 10th and final spot in the NASCAR Truck Series Playoffs is majorly heating up between Matt DiBenedetto, Matt Crafton, Nick Sanchez, Stewart Friesen, and Tanner Gray.
After another off-weekend, the NASCAR Truck Series will travel to its second and final road course of the year at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, where the field will be jumbled up making left and right turns.
