NASCAR
Carson Hocevar Wins Truck Series Regular Season Finale at Richmond, Playoff Grid Set
RICHMOND, Va. – A full season’s worth of drama came down three Playoff spots open and 250 laps around Richmond Raceway for the Truck Series. The first half was dominated by polesitter Ty Majeski, sweeping both Stages. The 98 would see a speeding penalty erase all of his track position before Stage 3, but stormed back to the lead with 40 to go.
On much older tires though Majeski lost out to Carson Hocevar, who made the winning pass with just three laps left. Hocevar was forced to start last with a prerace tire change, but quickly marched forward. The Stage 3 tire advantage proved to be just enough to have Hocevar beat Majeski to the checkers.
“We didn’t come here to run second,” Hocevar said. “I knew we had to do something different and new tires prevailed.”
“We passed every single truck here, the 98 (Majeski) was the class of the field but I thought we were second and won with the second best truck because I have the first best pit crew and first best crew chief on the box. I just love it.”
Three was the prevailing number Saturday night. Hocevar picked up win number three of his career (all coming this year) and the last three Playoff spots were set.
Behind Hocevar and Majeski, the Richmond top-10 were: Zane Smith, Jake Garcia, Matt Mills, Corey Heim, Matt Crafton, Nick Sanchez, Grant Enfinger and William Sawalich. Some of these top finishers’ reactions can be seen below.
With Hocevar being a repeat winner, Playoff cut line drama was minimal. The final three Playoff berths went to Nick Sanchez, Matt DiBenedetto and Matt Crafton. Seven races now separate one of 10 drivers from becoming NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Champion. Hear from several of the Playoff contenders below.
Corey Heim is the regular season champion, on the strength of two wins so far in 2023. Heim enters the postseason as the top seed, trying to bring the championship to TRICON Garage. See the full Playoff grid below ahead of the Round of 10 opening race.
Welcome to the 2023 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Playoffs Round of 10. pic.twitter.com/7cSJFKZOa8
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) July 30, 2023
After a week off, the Truck Series Playoffs hit the ground running at Indianapolis Raceway Park. The TSport 200 will go green Friday, August 11th at 9:00 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. IRP last year saw a new winner for the season, Ty Majeski hopes for history to repeat itself on the bullring.
Written by Peter Stratta
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Photo Credit to Peter Stratta/TSJSports
