NASCAR
Carson Hocevar Returns to Truck Series Victory Lane after Hectic Last Lap
UPDATE: Layne Riggs’ second-place finishing No. 34 Ford has been disqualified. It violated rule 14.4.9.A.3, regarding the bed cover material integrity preventing deflecting/sagging and a perimeter seal during vehicle operation.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Past Truck Series star Carson Hocevar dropped back down to familiar ground for a rare double-duty weekend. The Spire Motorsports driver put the No. 7 Chevrolet on point in the second half at Kansas, hardly ever looking back. A hard-charging Layne Riggs was breathing down Hocevar’s neck on the last lap, though. Both drivers made wall contact off of turn two but each kept their foot in it. Despite what looked like synchronized spins, Hocevar still beat Riggs back to the line.
Corey Heim looked as strong as ever early on. Starting second, the TRICON Garage No. 11 immediately took the lead and won Stage 1. Heim called Kansas Speedway his favorite racetrack hours prior, and was going for a third-straight Truck triumph here. This march to victory would only be derailed after a long pit stop late in Stage 2. This handed control of the race to Carson Hocevar, who was Heim’s closest challenger.
Insult would only be added to Heim’s injury midway through Stage 3, when the No. 11 was popped with a restart violation. After climbing through the field once already, Heim was sent back to the tail for the next restart.
Despite another restart with 20 laps to go, Heim only managed to race his way back up to fourth. Out front Hocevar continued to log quick laps, but Layne Riggs loomed larger and larger in his rearview mirror.
Riggs nudged Hocevar into the outside wall on the last lap out of turn two, but neither driver lifted. Despite this late hurdle, Hocevar narrowly edged Riggs out coming back to the checkers. In shades of the legendary 2010 Kansas Trucks finish between Johnny Sauter and Ron Hornaday Jr., this last lap will live on in series history.
“I just thought I would make it interesting, were you all entertained?” Hocevar said. “That 34 truck was super super good. This truck was really really good on the short runs. I didn’t think he would get to us from how far back he was, but he was super good. It’s been awhile since I was in a finish like that, where it’s all out there. Credit to him, I know he’s going for everything there. I was shocked, I thought I just threw it away. It wasn’t really that bad, but I figured I killed it.”
“Knowing that I only get four shots at this, it’s win or bust. Taking care of it is the most important. If that left rear tire blew [earlier], we’d just feel really stupid if that took us out of it. Big thanks to Al Niece and Cody Efaw for the opportunity, mom and dad I love you. My grandma recently passed away, grandpa this is for you. Just super cool. Have to thank Jeff Dickerson too, I got to drive the No. 7 [Cup] car one time and that changed my life. It looks good when we get to drive the number 7 more often.”
Behind the top two, William Byron had a front row seat in the Spire No. 07. He narrowly beat out TRICON teammates Corey Heim and Gio Ruggiero. The rest of the top-10 were: Stewart Friesen, Brandon Jones, Jake Garcia, Kaden Honeycutt, and Grant Enfinger.
Kansas marked the second of six-straight weeks of racing for the Craftsman Truck Series. Truckers return to the track on Saturday at North Wilkesboro Speedway. The Window World 250 marks the first points-paying event of NASCAR All-Star Weekend, with every driver gunning for a coveted win on the historic track. The Wilkes County green flag will fly Saturday at 1:30 p.m. ET on FS1, NRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Written by Peter Stratta
Be sure to follow us on Twitter/X
Be sure to follow the writer on Twitter/X
Photo Credits to Jamie Squire/Getty Images
