NASCAR
Last Lap Contact Gives Clutch Chandler Smith North Wilkesboro Win
NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. – When the caution flag flew with four laps left in the Window World 250, Corey Heim was a sitting duck. The dominant driver of the afternoon and the season lost another win in heartbreaking fashion. On the last lap, Layne Riggs tried pulling off a slide job, after Heim left the entire bottom lane open in turn one. Contact ensued between both leaders, allowing Chandler Smith to squeeze through to the victory. Riggs got going again for a Front Row Motorsports 1-2 result, while Heim likewise limped across the line in 17th.
Despite starting on pole and quickly building up a large lead, Corey Heim would shockingly be shut out between both stages. These green-and-white checkered flags went to rookie Gio Ruggiero and veteran Grant Enfinger. The No. 9 took command on the opening lap of Stage 2, after Layne Riggs shoved Heim wide in turn two.
Heim would retake command on the opening lap of Stage 3, but had to fend off a spirited battle from Chandler Smith. The No. 38 Ford was all over the 11’s tailgate for a long time to start this run, but Heim eventually pulled away.
After putting up an astounding 162 laps led, Heim’s nearly picture-perfect drive all unraveled in overtime. Heim was left very frustrated on pit road, marching down to Riggs for a brief but heated conversation. Hear from both of these drivers below.
Up front meanwhile, Chandler Smith takes home his second checkered flag in five races. While many are already pinpointing Heim as a runaway championship favorite, Smith has shown his strength as well. Riggs’ runner-up result gave FRM their first ever 1-2 result in Trucks. They were just ahead of another teammate pair: Tyler Ankrum and Daniel Hemric. Grant Enfinger also soldiered onto a top-five day after his stage win. The rest of the top-10 were: Ty Majeski, Gio Ruggiero, Kaden Honeycutt, Kyle Busch, and Sammy Smith.
Trucks will be back in action on Friday night from Charlotte Motor Speedway. The North Carolina Education Lottery 200 goes green at 8:30 p.m. ET on FS1, NRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.
Written by Peter Stratta
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