NASCAR
Kaden Honeycutt Collects Checkered Flag after Dominating Day at Richmond Raceway
RICHMOND, Va. – Kaden Honeycutt led 225 laps at Richmond Raceway in pursuit of his second-career NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory.
The 23-year-old driver quickly took the lead after starting the race in the second position alongside Spire Motorsports driver Shane van Gisbergen. Honeycutt entered Saturday’s race at Richmond Raceway with only 150 laps led in the series.
“Man, we never give up,” Honeycutt told FOX Sports post-race. “We’ve had a rough last couple of weeks. We just wondered what the heck was going on. We’re not a seventh-place team. It’s all thanks to Scott Zipadelli on this Safelite #11 team. We just stay on it, man…we just don’t give up. What a dominating day. I’ve never been able to do something like that before. Really good confidence for me, and hopefully, we’ll go to Loudon next week and do the same thing.”
A dominating Virginia victory! Kaden Honeycutt talks with @kaitlynvincie after his statement win at Richmond. pic.twitter.com/ohHU9b5OIZ
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) August 15, 2026
Kaden Honeycutt goes into next weekend’s race at Loudon, New Hampshire, second in the Craftsman Truck Series standings, 61 points behind Front Row Motorsports driver Layne Riggs.
The race in Loudon will decide which 10 drivers advance to The Chase, beginning a seven-race battle to determine the season’s champion.
In Saturday’s race at Richmond Raceway, McAnally–Hilgemann Racing driver Tyler Ankrum put on an impressive performance and has climbed back into the final transfer spot. He will have a 20-point cushion over Halmar Friesen Racing driver Stewart Friesen and a 21-point advantage over ThorSport Racing driver Jake Garcia. Even with this advantage, Tyler Ankrum says he won’t feel comfortable until the checkered flag falls next weekend.
“There is no relief until you’re done,” Ankrum said when informed about his points advantage post-race. “These guys are fierce competitors. I’ve been racing with them for a long time…especially a guy like Friesen. He wants to prove something. When the checkered flag falls at New Hampshire, that’s when I’ll go have a cocktail and relax.”
.@TylerAnkrum is very proud of the drive from his team today at @RichmondRaceway, where he leaves 20 points above the cutline.
However, as expected, there’s no relief until they take the checkered flag at New Hampshire. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/dUg5ixs4y5
— Noah Lewis (@Noah_Lewis1) August 15, 2026
Another storyline heading into Saturday’s race at Richmond Raceway was the return of Elliott Sadler for his final NASCAR start at his home track. The 51-year-old, Emporia, Virginia native made his first start in a NASCAR premier series race since 2019, and his first start in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series since 2011.
Sadler crossed the checkered flag 32nd after a tough race.
“I was trying not to tear the truck up, trying not to hit anything solid. Probably gave up too many positions on that. But the truck is in one piece…It was fun to be back in there for one last ride at home…Haven’t done it in seven years. Just wanted to try it one last time. It was a good feeling; anytime you can get in there and buckle the window net up. But I definitely didn’t do my job today as a driver…at all.”
.@Elliott_Sadler is as glad to be back for a final ride at @RichmondRaceway, but says, “I definitely didn’t do my job as a driver today…at all.” #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/6c7iy2kJdk
— Noah Lewis (@Noah_Lewis1) August 15, 2026
The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series drivers will roll on to New Hampshire Motor Speedway next weekend to decide which 10 drivers will compete for this season’s championship. The race will air on FS1, NRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio at 1:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, August 22.
Written by Noah Lewis
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Photo Credit Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images for NASCARMedia
