NASCAR
Tyler Ankrum Ends Long Winless Drought in Truck Series Return to Rockingham
ROCKINGHAM, N.C. – Two long dry spells ended Friday afternoon at Rockingham Speedway. The Craftsman Truck Series roared back to life at the historic North Carolina oval, leading to a years-long winless streak being busted. Tyler Ankrum stood tall in Rockingham victory lane, erasing a 130-race losing record. The fan turnout and energy felt at The Rock made this a race to remember.
Home state driver Layne Riggs swept the stages, thanks to late passes both times for the top spot.
Following a few back-to-back hellacious crashes, the TRICON Garage due of Corey Heim and Gio Ruggiero led by not pitting under these yellows. Taken out in these successive incidents, however, were Ty Majeski, Stewart Friesen, and Tanner Gray.
The fuel tanks eventually ran dry on the TRICON Toyotas, opening the door for Tyler Ankrum. Thanks to saving just enough fuel, driver 18 ends a nearly six-year losing drought.
“It’s strange that I didn’t know where victory lane was at,” Ankrum said after having to navigate his way around post-race. “I can’t thank these guys enough for the way this day started. Going a lap down, Mark (Hillman, crew chief) made the pit call to get the track position back, just saving fuel man. Coming to six to go, I knew that was the number, I knew we were five (laps) short. I was hoping I saved enough, and we did.”
“I knew being five or six laps short, it was six miles. You just got to be able to give up everything. I just found something there, I was lifting pretty much at 60% down the straightaways. But I was able to draft off of (Matt) Crafton and a couple other guys, able to save that way. It’s just surreal, this is pretty much how it went down at Kentucky in 2019. But here we are now with a pretty big check.”
Behind Ankrum at the finish were polesitter Jake Garcia, teammate Daniel Hemric, then Rajah Caruth and Grant Enfinger. The rest of the top-10 were: Kaden Honeycutt, Jack Wood, Corey Heim, Connor Mosack, and Gio Ruggiero. Hear from a few of these drivers below.
Craftsman Truck Series drivers return to action in two weeks from Texas Motor Speedway. The SpeedyCash.Com 250 goes green Friday, May 2 at 8 p.m. ET on FS1, NRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Ankrum’s last win was on Texas’ sister track in Kentucky, he will hope yo keep the winning ways alive in the Lone Star State.
Written by Peter Stratta
Be sure to follow us on Twitter/X
Be sure to follow the writer on Twitter/X
Photo Credits to Peter Stratta/TSJSports
