Who Makes the 2026 Craftsman Truck Series Chase?

Photo Credits to Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images

NASCAR

Peter’s Chase Picks: 2026 Craftsman Truck Series

For the 11th season, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will have a postseason championship Chase. Unlike in years past, however, 2026 will see the top-10 in regular season points reset. The best of the truckers will duke it out over the final seven races for the title. Here are my preseason picks for these 10 contenders and a preview for their 2026 season ahead.

Kaden Honeycutt

Perhaps nobody in all of NASCAR is getting quite the promotion as Kaden Honeycutt. 2025 Trucks champion Corey Heim is no longer competing full-time, giving the Texan the keys to the title-winning team. TRICON Garage’s No. 11 Toyota went to victory lane a record 12 times last year, including the season opener and finale.

Honeycutt is still winless across 59 truck starts, but consistency gave him third in last year’s championship. Given short time with the Scott Zipadelli-led team, this stat should change soon. Expecting a 12-win season out of the late model ace may be lofty goals, but he should have ample winning chances. The Safelite colors may remain a constant sight out front and in contention for 2026.

Layne Riggs

Close behind in Heim’s rearview mirror foe much of 2025 was Layne Riggs. Dating back to mid-June, only four of the last 12 races were not won by Heim–three of those went to Riggs. With Heim out of the picture in 2026, Riggs may be the championship frontrunner for the balance of the year.

Riggs’ Trucks tenure has shown upward progression in each season. The Front Row Motorsports No. 34 won twice en route to 2024 Rookie of the Year honors, and surpassed that with three 2025 victories. Missing the Championship 4 on a tiebreaker, the 34 team should only be better in their third year together. In terms of preseason title favorites, Riggs should headline many peoples’ lists.

Chandler Smith

Riggs’ Front Row Motorsports teammate Chandler Smith should be another strong 2026 contender. Amid his first year back in Trucks with the No. 38 last year, Smith won twice but saw untimely bad luck force an early playoff exit. Much like Riggs, this team running it back in 2026 should be only stronger and more dangerous.

Christian Eckes

Returning to Trucks after one year in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series is Christian Eckes. Paired once again with McAnally-Hilgemann Racing, this duo may have another banner season together. Between 2023 and 2024, Eckes and this team won eight times together and were within eyesight of the championship. This run included leading every lap at Nashville Superspeedway, showing elite status from a record-setting season. Now running the No. 91 Chevrolet, expect to see Eckes up front early and often in this new year.

Daniel Hemric

Another Chevrolet veteran, Daniel Hemric will likely make a second-straight Chase appearance. McAnally-Hilgemann Racing’s flagship No. 19 went to victory lane last year at Martinsville, and saw 15 top-10s. One of the most experienced drivers in Trucks today, Hemric’s years of NASCAR knowledge should pay off in another Chase showing.

Daniel Hemric’s No. 19 Napa Auto Parts Chevrolet Silverado at Phoenix Raceway before the Craftsman Truck Series Championship Race on Friday, October 31, 2025. Photo Credit: Peter Stratta/TSJSports

Tyler Ankrum

Another Championship 4 contender from 2025, Tyler Ankrum hopes to have another banner year. Driver 18 saw his record-long losing drought end last year at Rockingham, taking his first win in almost six years. 2025 was the furthest Ankrum’s ever progressed through the playoff format, ending at fourth in points and carrying the flag for MHR.

Coming off his best-ever Truck Series run, Ankrum eyes more victories and another Chase berth. Consistency should have the No. 18 well within the top-10 in points when this regular season ends.

Justin Haley

Perhaps the largest story to follow all year long in Trucks is the return of RAM with Kaulig Racing. Starting a new five-truck venture, their most experienced driver also makes a Kaulig homecoming–Justin Haley. The NASCAR veteran from all three series should come out of the gates swinging, as a renowned superspeedway racer.

Haley’s last year in Trucks saw him win three times and finish third in points. Now eight years removed from that point, Haley could be a top-tier title threat for 2026. RAM’s maiden win back in NASCAR may come at Haley’s hands. The Hoosier looks to redefine himself by going back to Trucks; he could turn the series on its head this year.

Ty Majeski

Despite a down year for ThorSport, a winless Ty Majeski was still very close to back-to-back titles. Now taking over the iconic Menards No. 88, the Truck Series stalwart should be another strong threat in 2026. If anyone has the talent to carry ThorSport, it’s the Wisconsin short track ace.

The 2024 series champion is shockingly winless since this career-defining triumph. His march to another Chase and possible championship run should be headlined by a few more trips to victory lane.

Ben Rhodes

ThorSport’s other past champion, Ben Rhodes looks for a 2026 bounce back effort. The two-time champion missed out on the 10-man postseason in 2025, finishing 12th in standings with only eight top-10s. Now entering his 11th Truck Series campaign, Rhodes hopes to be a presence up front again. Expect the No. 99 to have more than a few winning chances and be in the mix for a Chase berth.

Grant Enfinger

Another Trucks veteran, Grant Enfinger has made the Chase in all but one of the past eight years. The CR7 Motorsports No. 9 has not won since 2024’s postseason, but should be a consistent threat again. Enfinger ended last year’s regular season ranked sixth in standings, well above any cutoff. A winner or not, Enfinger should have enough strong runs to be a contender yet again.

Honorable Mentions

The battle around the Chase cut line for 10th in points has the potential to be ultra-tight between many talented drivers. Here are a few contenders who I expect to be in the hunt, but may fall just shy of making the cut.

• Gio Ruggiero: 2025’s Rookie of the Year returns with TRICON Garage and the No. 17. Ruggiero also picked up his first win at Talladega in October, eventually finishing 11th in points. Now with a year’s worth of experience, Ruggiero could easily be top-10 in standings.
• Stewart Friesen: The Canadian veteran would have been a Chase contender had he not been injured midway through last season. Daytona will be his first start since IRP in July. Friesen has the experience needed to win races, but consistency is where the 52 is lacking. A past Championship 4 contender, Friesen’s year will be made or broken by his week-to-week strength.
• Brendan ‘Butterbean’ Queen: Another Kaulig Racing RAM driver, Butterbean Queen has the potential for a big season ahead. At 28 years old, his short track experience and age both trump traditional rookies. Queen was a nearly unstoppable force in ARCA last year, winning eight times. If any of this success translates to Trucks, Queen’s competition better watch out.
• Daniel Dye: Piloting the No. 10 RAM for Kaulig Racing, Daniel Dye hopes to build off his 2024 Chase showing. He made that year’s postseason as the last man in on points, a feat he could surpass in 2026.
• Jake Garcia: Much like Dye, ThorSport Racing’s Jake Garcia was the last one in 2025’s playoffs on points. Now in a newly-branded No. 98 Ford, Garcia will try and repeat this performance and chase down a maiden NASCAR win.

Written by Peter Stratta

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Photo Credits to Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images