Motorsports

Keselowski Overcomes Series of Obstacles to Record Season Best Finish In Coca-Cola 600 – Speedway Digest

With 100 miles more than any other race on the schedule, the Coca-Cola 600 is NASCAR’s longest race. Those additional miles proved critical, defining the outcome for each of Roush Fenway Keselowski (RFK) Racing’s three teams. While Brad Keselowski and Ryan Preece were able to capitalize in the final circuits, it was that last segment […]

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4 weeks ago

May 27, 2025

Your Sports Nation

No. 6 – Brad Keselowski

Brad Keselowski overcame multiple hurdles Sunday night to lead five laps and record an impressive top-five finish in NASCAR’s most grueling race – the Coca-Cola 600.

Despite starting deep in the field (35th), Keselowski was determined, charging toward the front at the drop of the green flag. The BuildSubmarines.com Ford picked up nine positions in the first six laps. With a fast race car and nearly 600 miles still ahead, Keselowski radioed, “I’m just trying to be patient here.” That patience would be tested after he was assessed a penalty for vehicle interference during a pit stop. That penalty cost track position, and the No. 6 finished Stage One in 19th.

Stage Two brought a different challenge: a loose race car. Following a mid-segment pit stop, the car snapped loose. Keselowski saved it, but not before the roof flap and diffuser flaps engaged, slowing the car for the remainder of the run. Temporarily, Keselowski went a lap down, finishing the segment 33rd. Perseverance in the third stage, though, paid off. Continuing to drive hard, the 2012 champ was in position to receive the free pass at lap 238. He took advantage, finishing 13th in Stage Three.

Prior to the conclusion of the third segment, confidence was building. “If you could give me a little more drivability, with the speed we have, we’ll be lights out,” he said. Crew chief Jeremy Bullins made adjustments during the final 100 laps, and the car continued to improve. Keselowski seized the opportunity, surging toward the front as the laps wound down. When the checkered flag flew, he had overcome a penalty, a near-spin, and a lap down to record a season-best fifth-place finish.

“We had a really good car,” said Keselowski. “We got mixed up in some of the different stuff in the midpoint of the race and just clawed our way out. I feel like if we could have got to the lead, we could have won the race. I wish it was a 700-mile race.”

No. 60 – Ryan Preece

Making his 200th career start in the NASCAR Cup Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Ryan Preece rolled off 28th in his No. 60 Kroger / Irish Spring Ford Mustang. He quickly showed speed, steadily working his way through the field and picking up eight positions in the first 40 laps. When Stage One was complete, Preece was 14th.

That surge continued in Segment Two. Although he had to overcome some minor snags on pit road, he finished 11th in the second segment.

Following a mid-race moment of silence, Preece began Stage Three in 12th and broke into the top 10 by lap 255. Managing a loose-handling car in the final 45 laps of the stage, he held position and secured a 10th-place finish—earning a valuable stage point.

After a pit stop, Preece started the final stage 12th. Still turning laps with a loose car, he slipped back to 16th by lap 330. Midway through the stage, though, his team made a strategic call to short-pit, allowing him to cycle back out in 12th with just over 40 laps to go. From there, Preece steadily worked his way forward, battling through traffic to finish ninth and earn his second straight top-10 result.

“I’m really proud of the race car we had the entire day, and we’ll continue to work at it and get better,” Preece said. “It’s fun racing here, and tonight gives us something to build on heading to Nashville next weekend.”

No. 17 – Chris Buescher

With a very fast qualifying lap, Chris Buescher began Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 with a solid fourth-place starting position. As the opening laps unfolded, the Body Guard Ford remained consistently fast. Buescher raced with the leaders throughout the first segment and finished Stage One sixth—earning valuable stage points.

As the sun set and the track cooled, handling changed. Buescher’s car tightened up, and positions were lost. Stage Two ended with a 13th-place finish. The team continued to adjust, with several chassis changes, not only to address handling but also to provide a smoother transition through the bumps in Turns 1 and 2. Buescher navigated the challenges to finish 16th in Stage Three.

Still hopeful he could charge to the front, Buescher fired off 17th in the final stage. Those hopes, though, were dashed when the No. 17 Ford Mustang was caught up in a crash triggered by Carson Hocevar with just 93 laps remaining. Buescher was forced to make multiple stops for repairs to a heavily damaged right front and an altered steering system. Despite the damage, Buescher was able to secure a 22nd-place finish.

Up Next:

Nashville Superspeedway (Nashville, TN): Sunday June 1, 2025 @ 7:00pm EST on Prime

RFK Racing PR

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Ricky Stenhouse Jr. confirms HYAK Motorsports fired spotter Tab Boyd amid disparaging comments about Mexico City

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. confirmed Friday on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio that Tab Boyd, his spotter since the start of the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season, was fired by HYAK Motorsports. Clayton Hughes, who won a Cup Championship in 2017 while spotting for Martin Truex Jr., will serve as spotter for Stenhouse and the No. 47 team […]

Published

1 hour ago

June 21, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. confirmed Friday on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio that Tab Boyd, his spotter since the start of the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season, was fired by HYAK Motorsports. Clayton Hughes, who won a Cup Championship in 2017 while spotting for Martin Truex Jr., will serve as spotter for Stenhouse and the No. 47 team starting this Sunday at Pocono Raceway.

“You know, obviously, that’s an unfortunate deal,” Stenhouse said. “The team let Tab Boyd go this week, and we got Clayton Hughes to come fill in. I’ve never worked with Clayton. You know, obviously, I think the concern for me is trying to get on the same page as quick as we can knowing that, like you said, the schedule coming up, going to Atlanta next week could be a very important race for our race team and trying to get us into the playoffs and put us in the right position.”

Stenhouse did not reveal the official reason as to why Boyd was let go from his position. However, Boyd found himself in controversy earlier this week. Boyd did not enjoy his time in Mexico City this past weekend and shared his negative experience on social media.

“I’m ready to go home, screw this place, people can talk it up all they want… can’t even walk out the front door of the hotel without getting hustled and money snatched….in less than 5 minutes,” Boyd tweeted June 14. “Good area my ass….”

Boyd has since deleted his X account. So, a new spotter for Stenhouse and the No. 47 team.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s eventful week continues

Changing spotters is never easy, especially at this point in the season. There are only 10 regular season races remaining on the schedule, and Stenhouse is on the outside looking in of the playoff picture. Just a few weeks ago, Stenhouse sat above the cutline.

But that was before Carson Hocevar dumped him at Nashville Superspeedway. It happened again in Mexico City while Hocevar was a lap down. Stenhouse has finished 20th or worse in his last three starts and is now 21st in the points standings.

Stenhouse told Hocevar at Mexico City, “I’m going to beat your ass when we get back to the States.” Both are back in the States. They’ll be in the same place this weekend at Pocono. We’ll see if Stenhouse follows through on his threat.

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DiBenedetto rebuilding his career in Xfinity Series – The Morning Call

Matt DiBenedetto. (Clear 28 Agency) Matt DiBenedetto. (Clear 28 Agency) Matt DiBenedetto. (Clear 28 Agency) Matt DiBenedetto. (Clear 28 Agency) Matt DiBenedetto. (Clear 28 Agency) Matt DiBenedetto. (Clear 28 Agency) Matt DiBenedetto. (Clear 28 Agency) Matt DiBenedetto. (Clear 28 Agency) Show Caption 1 of 8 Matt DiBenedetto. (Clear 28 Agency) Expand LONG POND — Things […]

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1 hour ago

June 21, 2025

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1 of 8

Matt DiBenedetto. (Clear 28 Agency)

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LONG POND — Things were going well for Matt DiBenedetto five years ago. He was driving full time in the NASCAR Cup Series and qualified for the 2020 playoffs.

Then, it all came apart. He lost his ride with Wood Brothers Racing at the end of the 2021 season.

Since then, the 33-year-old driver from California has been working his way back. He finds himself in the Xfinity Series with independent Viking Motorsports. He will be behind the wheel of the No. 99 Chevrolet on Saturday in the 10th annual Explore the Pocono Mountains 250 at Pocono Raceway. His car is being sponsored by the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau.

Viking Motorsports and DiBenedetto appear to be the perfect fit for each other. The team is building in its first season on its own after getting help last season in an alliance with Ryan Sieg Racing. The driver provides talent and experience while starting his career over.

DiBenedetto admits being a bit humbled when he lost his Cup Series ride.

“Sometimes when you get stripped of things in life, you get a lot of clarity and you learn to appreciate the things you forget to appreciate,” he said.

“Today, I’m truly having more fun than I’ve ever had in my whole life and career. I appreciate it so much more and my faith journey has changed. I’ve had so much fun doing it and this team giving me this opportunity to build something together. I’m driving for such good people, I’m hoping to drive for this team for the remainder of my career, which hopefully is a long time.”

In seven seasons and 248 races in the Cup Series, DiBenedetto had nine top-five and 31 top-10 finishes. Three times he placed second — at Bristol in 2019 and both Las Vegas races in 2020.

After losing his ride with the Wood Brothers, he spent two seasons in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, making 43 starts with one win at Talladega in 2022.

Last year, DiBenedetto was recommended to Viking Motorsports owner Don Sackett as someone who could help the new team qualify for races and get its feet off the ground. His first race was at Richmond, six races into the Xfinity season. What started as ‘Let’s try this for five races’ turned into 10 races, which turned into the rest of the season. He posted three top-10 finishes.

Then, in January, DiBenedetto was announced as the team’s full-time driver for the 2025 campaign.

“After getting to know him (Sackett) in a short time, I was like, Man, I want to be a part of what this guy is building and be a part of his vision,” DiBenedetto said.

Through 15 races, DiBenedetto has a season-best finish of fifth at Talladega, along with four top-20s, including a 16th last week at Mexico City. There have been plenty of challenges and ups and downs such as moving its operation from Georgia to North Carolina and switching manufacturers from Ford to Chevrolet. But DiBenedetto likes the direction the team is moving.

“We’ve had our successes, our good runs, but we’ve also had DNFs or crazy circumstances bite us,” he said.

“But recently we’ve had a lot of very fast race cars where our speed is continuing to improve. We’re all meshing as a team, everything is starting to come together. We’re all synched up and unified, our communication is really good. I would expect the rest of the season to be a lot more speed and consistency than the first part of the year.”

Finishing in the top 20 in points would be a good accomplishment for the team. But DiBenedetto feels he can run consistently in the top 15 during the second half of the season. It wouldn’t even surprise him if he had a shot to win a race and qualify for the playoffs.

“That would be an extra bonus and total overachievement for the year,” DiBenedetto said. “But I’m not ruling that out, especially seeing the speed and confidence I’ve had. We’ve had fast, good, consistent race cars. Me and my crew chief Pat (Tryson) are really firing on all cylinders.

“I’m like a little kid in a candy store because I can see it all coming together. We’re going to be rockin’ and rollin’ the rest of this year.”

At Pocono, DiBenedetto ran 14 Cup races with his best finish being sixth in 2020. He also has two Truck Series starts and Saturday will be his third Xfinity start there.

“As a driver, coming here is one of my favorite places,” DiBenedetto said. “We always go to tracks that you can compare to somewhere else. Except for here. This is the only track we come to where it’s absolutely not comparable to anywhere else we go, which is what makes it fun. You’ve got three completely different, unique corners that present a lot of challenges, the racing is really fun. You’ve got to really plan ahead in the decision you make; you’ve got to be really calculated.”

Among the keys to success at Pocono, according to DiBenedetto, are a good qualifying effort, surviving the wild restarts and being able to get your car off Turn 3 well.

“It needs to turn and exit Turn 3 well because you’ve got a really, really long straightaway that it leads into,” he said. “If you’re not good off Turn 3, you’re going to struggle all day and struggle to pass.”

Practice for the Explore the Mountains 250 is 10 a.m. with qualifying to follow at 11:05 a.m. The race is scheduled to get the green flag at 3:40 p.m.

One interesting aspect for the race is Dale Earnhardt Jr. serving a crew chief for his team’s No. 88 Chevrolet and driver Connor Zilisch. Earnhardt is making his debut as crew chief while Mardy Lindley serves a one-race suspension for a missing lug nuts violation following the race at Nashville three weeks ago.

Also, Cup Series regular Chase Elliott is pulling double duty. He is driving the No. 17 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports. Elliott also ran the Xfinity race at Darlington in April and finished second.

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Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports Launch Defiant Legal Offensive in NASCAR Charter War

Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin own 23XI Racing, while Bob Jenkins owns Front Row Motorsports (FRM), which appears to be relying on their last option to retain the charter status. In a recent move, they appealed a recent ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals, revoking their preliminary injunction. The two Cup teams are fighting […]

Published

2 hours ago

June 21, 2025

Your Sports Nation

The two Cup teams are fighting an antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR, having accused the racing organization of “monopolistic practices.” While the case is underway, a District Court previously granted their preliminary injunction request. That means the teams got charter status as they continued their legal battle against NASCAR.

However, the Court of Appeals recently revoked that status. Now the teams have no option but to appeal the decision. If things don’t turn in their favor, the two Cup teams risk losing all three of their charters mid-season.

23XI Racing and FRM Turn to Last Resort To Keep Charter Status

The Fourth Circuit of Appeals in North Carolina, while giving the ruling, said, “In short, because we have found no support for the proposition that a business entity or person violates the antitrust laws by requiring a prospective participate to give a release for past conduct as a condition for doing business, we cannot conclude that the plaintiffs made a clear showing that they were likely to succeed on the merits of that theory.”

However, before the charter status is revoked, the teams have an option of appealing, which they have recently exercised. Also, according to NASCAR journalist Bob Pockrass, “This will delay them losing the charters until seven days after the decision not to hear it again or a rehearing/decision.”

As expected, 23XI/Front Row have asked for appeals panel to reconsider or all of the judges of US Court of Appeals 4th Circuit to hear injunction appeal. This will delay them losing the charters until seven days after the decision not to hear it again or a rehearing/decision. pic.twitter.com/ICrR9sjPis

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) June 20, 2025

But this would not be enough, as the teams need the preliminary injunction at all costs. The injunction ensures the teams get an entry in every points race and a cut of the race purse. More importantly, it allows them to continue the lawsuit while reaping these benefits. Not having the preliminary injunction could harm them in a big way.

In addition, the team’s lawyer, Jeffrey Kessler, spoke about how this ruling could set a dangerous precedent if the decision is not reversed.

Kessler said, “If upheld, the ruling would set a dangerous precedent, allowing monopolists to shield themselves from legal challenges simply by requiring release language as a condition of doing business with the monopoly. Our lawsuit is about making NASCAR more competitive and fair. The release provision is just one of many anticompetitive tactics NASCAR has used to preserve its monopoly.”

23XI Racing and FRM have repeatedly spoken out about continuing the legal battle with or without the charter status. It’s unlikely that the lawsuit will end soon, and that has left a federal judge worried.

For now, only time will tell what unfolds in this case.

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NASCAR Crew Member Removed For Comments About Mexico

NASCAR Crew Member Removed For Comments About Mexico originally appeared on The Spun. It turns out Carson Hocevar wasn’t the only NASCAR personality who had something bad to say about Mexico. Before the NASCAR Cup Series held its race at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City, Hocevar made a questionable comment on a since-deleted stream on Twitch. […]

Published

3 hours ago

June 21, 2025

Your Sports Nation

NASCAR Crew Member Removed For Comments About Mexico originally appeared on The Spun.

It turns out Carson Hocevar wasn’t the only NASCAR personality who had something bad to say about Mexico.

Before the NASCAR Cup Series held its race at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City, Hocevar made a questionable comment on a since-deleted stream on Twitch. The talented driver for Spire Motorsports referred to Mexico as a “s–hole.”

Spire Motorsports fined Hocevar $50,000 for his remarks, with all of the money being donated to three organizations that serve communities in Mexico. Additionally, he’ll have to complete cultural-sensitivity and bias-awareness training.

“Whoa everybody, the truth is the truth. I said something that not only was wrong, I said it without even laying my own two eyes on CDMX or turning one lap in an actual race at an amazing facility that welcomed me with open arms and I go and say that? Thank you for the support but I’m not sure we’re on the same page,” Hocevar wrote on X. “You guys want me to be me? It was me who said it and it was me who apologized after actually taking the time to explore the city and feel the passion of every fan in attendance.

“I appreciate the opportunity to learn and I knew before this weekend what respect means to this organization and I didn’t meet the standard so I got what I deserved. I hate learning these lessons in the public eye and bringing any negative attention to Spire or me. We’ve been fast just about every week and I’m sure I have plenty of mistakes left in me. I appreciate growing up in front of all of you and you guys get to see the good and the bad. I’m just me. I’m trying. It just doesn’t always go the way I want and I bring a lot of this on myself. However, I love being in this garage, with this team surrounded by the best drivers and fans in the world. See you in Pocono.”

Despite what he previously said, Hocevar hasn’t lost his spot with Spire Motorsports. We can’t say the same thing for a member on Hyak Motorsports.

NORTH WILKESBORO, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: Ross Chastain, driver of the #1 Busch Light Flannel Chevrolet, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., driver of the #47 Kroger Health/Icy Hot Chevrolet, William Byron, driver of the #24 RaptorTough.com Chevrolet, and Kyle Busch, driver of the #8 Lenovo Chevrolet, drive during practice for the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway on May 17, 2024 in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)Jared C&period; Tilton/Getty Images — NORTH WILKESBORO, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 17: Ross Chastain, driver of the #1 Busch Light Flannel Chevrolet, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., driver of the #47 Kroger Health/Icy Hot Chevrolet, William Byron, driver of the #24 RaptorTough.com Chevrolet, and Kyle Busch, driver of the #8 Lenovo Chevrolet, drive during practice for the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway on May 17, 2024 in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)Jared C&period; Tilton/Getty Images

Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s spotter, Tab Boyd, ripped Mexico in a since-deleted tweet.

“I’m ready to go home, screw this place,” he wrote. “People can talk it up all they want… can’t even walk out the front door of the hotel without getting hustled and money snatched… in less than five minutes. Good area my [expletive]…”

Interestingly enough, Boyd isn’t listed as Stenhouse’s spotter for this weekend. As of right now, Clayton Hughes is expected to take that spot.

Hyak Motorsports has not yet said if Boyd has been benched or outright fired. Eventually, the truth will come to light.

Related: NASCAR Fans React To Carson Hocevar’s ‘Classy’ Announcement

NASCAR Crew Member Removed For Comments About Mexico first appeared on The Spun on Jun 20, 2025

This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.

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Tomy Drissi Aims for Another Podium in Trans Am Action at Mid-Ohio

June 20, 2025 Tomy Drissi enters next weekend’s Mid-Ohio SpeedTour third in Trans Am points after taking his second podium of the season at Lime Rock Park Drissi has multiple recent podiums at the Ohio circuit, including second place in 2021 and third last year, as well as an American Le Mans Series victory here […]

Published

3 hours ago

June 21, 2025

Your Sports Nation

June 20, 2025

Tomy Drissi Aims for Another Podium in Trans Am Action at Mid-Ohio

Tomy Drissi enters next weekend’s Mid-Ohio SpeedTour third in Trans Am points after taking his second podium of the season at Lime Rock Park
Drissi has multiple recent podiums at the Ohio circuit, including second place in 2021 and third last year, as well as an American Le Mans Series victory here in 2011
Tomy has earned the pole position multiple times at Mid-Ohio, including three consecutive years from 2013-15 and most recently in 2021, and has held the Trans Am track record at the circuit

2009 Trans Am champion Tomy Drissi and Drissi Motorsports continue their pursuit of another Trans Am by Pirelli title this weekend at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Coming off their second podium of the season at Lime Rock Park, Drissi and the #8 Trench Shorting Company/Motul/Franklin Road Apparel Chevrolet Camaro team will carry plenty of momentum into a track where Drissi has excelled in years past.

Drissi’s record at Mid-Ohio is one of his most impressive at any circuit on the Trans Am schedule. From 2013-15, he scored three consecutive TA poles at the track, setting a track record in the process. He scored his most recent pole at the track in 2021, converting that into a second place finish, and last year he earned his third podium finish of the season here with a third place run. Beyond that, Drissi scored two straight American Le Mans Series podiums here in 2010-11; he was on the LMP podium with Bryan Willman in 2010, and he teamed up with Kyle Marcelli for the LMPC victory in 2011.

Combine that with a determined drive to the podium in last month’s Memorial Day Classic, and Drissi is one of this weekend’s drivers to watch. After persevering through car setup issues at Lime Rock Park, Drissi took a hard-fought third place finish to strengthen his grip on third place in the TA championship.

“I’m really excited to get back to Mid-Ohio with momentum on our side,” said Drissi. “I’ve had a lot of great results here over the years, and after we found a way to finish on the podium at Lime Rock Park, there’s no reason to think we can’t add another one this weekend. The team has been working hard to make sure we’re ready, and we think we can get a podium streak going!”

Trans Am action for Tomy Drissi and Drissi Motorsports from Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course kicks off with a pair of optional test sessions at 1:35PM and 5:45PM on Thursday. On Friday, practice will run at 12:05PM and TA drivers will qualify at 5:35PM. Saturday’s race will kick off at 12:35PM and run for 45 laps or 75 minutes, with the usual live streaming available on Trans Am social media channels and SPEED SPORT 1.

To keep up with Tomy Drissi, follow @tomydrissi on Instagram and Facebook, and visit www.tomydrissi.com. Following Mid-Ohio, Drissi Motorsports returns to action on June 26-29 at Road America.

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Live updates: Layne Riggs wins NASCAR Truck race at Pocono

LONG POND, Pa. — Layne Riggs earned his first win of the 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season in Friday’s race at Pocono Raceway. Photo: Ryan Kemna/TRE Riggs led three times for 25 of 80 laps, including the final 20. Riggs won the first stage and finished third to Corey Heim and Carson Hocevar in […]

Published

5 hours ago

June 21, 2025

Your Sports Nation

LONG POND, Pa. — Layne Riggs earned his first win of the 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season in Friday’s race at Pocono Raceway.

Riggs led three times for 25 of 80 laps, including the final 20.

Riggs won the first stage and finished third to Corey Heim and Carson Hocevar in the second stage.

STAGE ONE TOP-10 (LAP 20): Layne Riggs, Kaden Honeycutt, Connor Mosack, Andres Perez, Jake Garcia, Brandon Jones, Chandler Smith, Tyler Ankrum, Ben Rhodes

STAGE TWO TOP-10 (LAP 40): Corey Heim, Carson Hocevar, Layne Riggs, Jake Garcia, Tanner Gray, Kaden Honeycutt, Tyler Ankrum, Ben Rhodes, Andres Perez, Connor Mosack.

With 20 laps to go, he was set to restart to the inside of Heim and challenge him when smoke billowed from Heim’s truck. Heim had a tire issue that gave the lead to Riggs for the restart.

The only problem is Hocevar thought he had the lead on the outside lane. Hocevar went first, leading to a drive through the pits as a penalty under green.

Riggs cruised away to victory, handing a 3.64-second defeat to Tanner Gray who finished second.

TOP-10 FINISHERS (LAP 80): Layne Riggs, Tanner Gray, Kaden Honeycutt, Brandon Jones, Daniel Hemric, Connor Mosack, Chandler Smith, Stewart Friesen, Ty Majeski and Rajah Caruth.

Carson Hocevar finished 13th after having a drive-through penalty for the restart violation. Patrick Emerling finished 15th after running inside the top-10 in the final stage. Frankie Muniz finished 19th. Corey Heim finished 23rd after the tire issue.

In all, four cautions fell Friday, including two cautions in the final 40-lap stage.

Grant Enfinger, Ben Rhodes, Conner Jones, Dawson Sutton, Cody Dennison and Tyler Ankrum crashed on lap 49. Jake Garcia crashed on lap 57.

After Pocono, seven drivers are virtually locked into the playoffs: Corey Heim, Chandler Smith, Layne Riggs, Tyler Ankrum, Daniel Hemric, Stewart Friesen and Rajah Caruth. Three spots remain for drivers to get in on points. Here is what the battle for those spots looks like:

Grant Enfinger: +50 points to the cutline
Kaden Honeycutt: +45
Ty Majeski: +10
Jake Garcia: -10 points to the cutline
Gio Ruggiero: -58
Ben Rhodes -60
Tanner Gray -83

NEXT: Lime Rock Park, June 27 (1 p.m. ET; FOX, NRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)

Below is a live race updates recap of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Pocono Raceway.

FINAL STAGE

Layne Riggs leads after Corey Heim had a tire issue and then Carson Hocevar had a restart violation.

The final stage consists of half of the race distance — 40 laps. Here is what has happened so far:

Corey Heim is coming off of his 12th stage win, the most in a single Truck season.

Heim, Layne Riggs, Ty Majeski, Carson Hocevar, Kaden Honeycutt, Tanner Gray, Jake Garcia, Stewart Friesen, Patrick Emerling and Connor Mosack lead everyone except Rajah Caruth, who stayed out, off of pit road on lap 42. It is outside of the pit window

Caruth will lead the drivers who came off of pit road.

Heim snagged the lead from Caruth. Caruth lost positions to Riggs, Hocevar, Honeycutt and Tanner Gray. He runs sixth ahead of Majeski, Garcia, Brandon Jones and Mosack as multiple trucks crash in turn two with 32 laps to go.

Among the trucks involved are Grant Enfinger, Conner Jones, Dawson Sutton, Cody Dennison and Tyler Ankrum. Enfinger made it three-wide while racing Rhodes and Ankrum. Rhodes had a fast truck before the incident. He has damage now.

Rajah Caruth pitted under caution on lap 50. He can make it to the end on fuel with that stop.

The predetermined race conclusion time is 8:25 p.m. ET. With 28 laps to go, there is a little under two hours until that time.

TOP-10 on LAP 53: Heim, Riggs, Hocevar, Honeycutt, Tanner Gray, Majeski, Garcia, Jones, Smith, Mosack.

Heim has led three times for all but 12 laps — 41 of 53 — while Riggs has led twice for five laps, Friesen has led four and Caruth has led three.

Jake Garcia didn’t take a block from Kaden Honeycutt and bumped him going into turn one. Unfortunately, Garcia wobbled more than Honeycutt and lost positions, finding himself in the clutches of a mess that left him wrecked exiting turn one.

Top 10 is now: Heim, Riggs, Hocevar, Tanner Gray, Honeycutt, Mosack, Friesen, Emerling, Jones and Hemric. Rajah Caruth sits 21st.

Corey Heim has blown a tire coming to the green with 19 laps to go and likely will not win. Carson Hocevar jumps out to the lead ahead of Layne Riggs with Tanner Gray following closely. Riggs dives into turn one and tries to clear Gray, does and holds on to second.

Carson Hocevar will have to do a drive-through penalty because of the restart chaos. Hocevar took the green flag from the outside lane, which Heim picked. However, the rules specify the second-place driver is the control truck. Riggs was in control but Hocevar was not.

Matt Crafton pits for a tire issue with 13 laps to go. He had been running 10th before that.

Daniel Hemric has rallied to fifth after running outside of the top-15 for much of the race.

Top-10 with eight laps to go: Riggs, Tanner Gray, Honeycutt, Brandon Jones, Hemric, Mosack, Chandler Smith, Friesen, Majeski, Caruth.

Patrick Emerling, who has run inside the top-10 for much of the final stage, has dropped to 12th. Frankie Muniz runs 19th after running as high as 16th.

Hocevar has recovered to 18th after the penalty under green.

STAGE TWO – NASCAR TRUCK SERIES AT POCONO

The leaders pitted at the start of the stage while under caution after finishing the first stage. Connor Mosack, stage one winner Layne Riggs, Andres Perez, Kaden Honeycutt, Tyler Ankrum, Patrick Emerling, Jake Garcia, Chandler Smith, Ben Rhodes and Jack Wood lead everyone off of pit road. They will restart behind Michigan winner Stewart Friesen, Corey Heim, Carson Hocevar and Tanner Gray. Friesen hasn’t pitted yet while Heim, Hocevar and Gray pitted in stage one.

Gio Ruggiero also pitted during stage one but will his crew had an issue with the left-front tire that put him a lap down. He caught the free pass and got back on the lead lap.

Friesen didn’t even get to lead a lap before Heim took over again. Hocevar also passed Friesen, dropping him to third. Garcia gained six spots and jumped to fourth while Riggs lost two positions with an issue in turn one. He gained one more spot on lap nine.

Ben Rhodes is up 18 spots to 13th on lap nine.

Hocevar is mixing it up with Heim. He challenged him but had to settle for second.

Top-10 at Lap 10/20 in Stage Two: Corey Heim, Carson Hocevar, Jake Garcia, Stewart Friesen, Tanner Gray, Connor Mosack, Kaden Honeycutt, Layne Riggs, Andres Perez, Tyler Ankrum.

Grant Enfinger is 31st, one lap down, after the caution for Cody Dennison crashing caught Enfinger a lap down.

Riggs is back up to fifth after almost sliding outside of the top-10. Friesen has dropped to sixth. Riggs now takes fourth from Tanner Gray.

Friesen makes his first pit stop on lap 35. He could make it to the end on fuel if there are a slew of cautions.

In 15 Truck races at Pocono, there has been an average of five cautions for 17 laps per race. So far, there has been just one caution for seven laps.

Stage Two Top-10, NASCAR Truck Series race at Pocono: Corey Heim, Carson Hocevar, Layne Riggs, Jake Garcia, Tanner Gray, Kaden Honeycutt, Tyler Ankrum, Ben Rhodes, Andres Perez, Connor Mosack.

STAGE ONE – NASCAR TRUCK SERIES AT POCONO

It is never not Heim Time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

Pole sitter Layne Riggs slid up the track from the outside lane, giving Kaden Honeycutt room to take the lead and Corey Heim to take second. Fourth-place Carson Hocevar pushed Riggs down the backstretch, giving momentum to Riggs and Heim who went three-wide with Honeycutt. Heim took the lead while Riggs stayed in third — at least for a lap.

Riggs passed Honeycutt in the tunnel turn, to which Honeycutt responded with a move in turn three. The drag from them racing so closely brought Hocevar into the mix in a three-wide move. Riggs and Hocevar jumped to second and third while Honeycutt fell to fourth.

Top-10 at Lap 8/20 of Stage One: Corey Heim, Layne Riggs, Carson Hocevar, Kaden Honeycutt, Tanner Gray, Gio Ruggiero, Rajah Caruth, Connor Mosack, Andres Perez de Lara, Jake Garcia.

Norm Benning and Bryan Dauzat are on pit road already, likely out of the race. Dawson Cram is also off of the track.

Matt Crafton has dropped to 22nd.

Hocevar, Gio Ruggiero and Rajah Caruth are among the leaders to pit with three laps to go in the stage to try and shuffle around to the lead to start the second stage. Heim pits a lap later to thwart their tactic.

Cody Dennison did more to deter anyone else as he crashed in turn two with a blown tire.

Layne Riggs will win the first stage of the NASCAR Truck Series race at Pocono. Kaden Honeycutt, Connor Mosack, Andres Perez, Jake Garcia, Brandon Jones, Chandler Smith, Tyler Ankrum and Ben Rhodes round out the top-10.

TRUCK RACE START AT POCONO

Layne Riggs is ready to lead the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series field to the green flag Friday at Pocono Raceway.

Kaden Honeycutt will share the front row with Riggs. Corey Heim, Carson Hocevar, Tanner Gray, Gio Ruggiero, Andres Perez, Rajah Caruth, Brandon Jones and Patrick Emerling round out the top-10 starters.

Clayton Green, Bryan Dauzat and Dawson Sutton will go to the rear of the field for unapproved adjustments.

Here is the full lineup:

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