NASCAR
Nick Sanchez Takes Second Career Win at Charlotte
EDITOR’S NOTE: Corey Heim was disqualified in post-race inspection for three loose lugnuts.
CONCORD, N.C. – Despite another blistering pace set by Corey Heim, late execution errors kept the No. 11 back. After leading only the last nine laps, Nick Sanchez picks up another victory at Charlotte. The Rev Racing driver now has a pair of wins in the 2024 season.
Picking up right where he left off in North Wilkesboro, Corey Heim took Stage 1 by a wide margin. Heim remained undefeated in Stage 2, gunning for another max points night. This effort was all for nothing however. Both Stage wins would retroactively be rewarded to Tanner Gray and Kaden Honeycutt.
Heim’s seemingly easy march to another victory hit a stumble on pit road. Inside of the final fuel window, Heim’s jack broke on a pivotal pit stop. This cost Heim all his track position, sending him to 28th with just under 50 laps left.
Heim’s troubles allowed title rival Christian Eckes to take the lead, after the No. 19 started the night in last. A late yellow shook up strategy among all the leaders. By virtue of staying out, Nick Sanchez inherited the lead on a restart with nine laps led, and was able to block every run by Corey Heim. Sanchez picks up his second career win and first since Daytona in February, while Heim had to settle for second prior to his disqualification.
“This one’s for my truck chief Chris Showalter,” Sanchez said. “It’s his birthday today, 700th truck start too, so this one’s for him. It’s great to get number two.”
Sanchez also pockets a $50,000 bonus for taking the first leg of the 2024 Triple Truck Challenge.
After leading a race-high 72 laps, Heim had a second-place run thrown out after failing inspection. Stewart Friesen, Grant Enfinger, Matt Mills and Ben Rhodes were the top-five. Jake Garcia, Kaden Honeycutt, Connor Mosack, Dean Thompson, and Christian Eckes rounded out the top-10. Hear from a few of these drivers below.
The Truck Series returns to action next week from Worldwide Technology Raceway at Gateway. The Toyota 200 goes green Saturday at 1:30 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.
Written by Peter Stratta
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Photo Credit to Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
