Future of NASCAR Truck Series: The NASCAR Truck Series championship race at Phoenix Raceway unfolded in a chaotic manner, raising questions about the necessity of the series itself. Ben Rhodes clinched his second Truck Series championship with a fifth-place finish in the 2023 season finale, but the late-race turmoil overshadowed his victory.
The initial stages of the race were uneventful, with the Championship 4 drivers positioned in the top 10. However, stage three witnessed multiple accidents involving championship contenders, adding drama to the event.
A pivotal incident occurred with 31 laps to go when title contenders Carson Hocevar and Corey Heim collided, impacting Heim’s championship hopes. Despite Heim’s comeback, a late-race caution and subsequent incidents shook up the race, leading to overtime.
Late-race chaos ensued with multiple wrecks and collisions, including a four-wide battle for the lead between Grant Enfinger, Ben Rhodes, Christian Eckes, and Zane Smith. Enfinger’s tire was cut after contact with Eckes, prompting overtime. Subsequent incidents, including a missed shift by Smith, resulted in further cautions and a dramatic fourth overtime.
Rhodes, despite sustaining damage, held off Enfinger to secure his second title. However, reactions from the NASCAR community expressed displeasure with the race’s conclusion, citing the lack of respect between drivers.
The chaotic finish raised questions about the need for two separate national feeder series, especially considering recent trends of drivers skipping full-time seasons in the Truck and Xfinity Series before advancing to the Cup Series.
The suggestion was made to repurpose the Truck Series, possibly aligning it more with its early years when it featured veteran drivers, many of whom had extensive NASCAR experience. This shift could potentially enhance the level of competition, preparation for the Cup Series, and overall excitement in each race weekend.
While the Truck Series has seen long-serving drivers like Matt Crafton and Grant Enfinger, the proposal emphasizes a return to the series being a platform for experienced drivers looking to extend their careers or revive their success, similar to the late 1990s and 2000s. This change might contribute to a more stable and engaging racing product, reducing the likelihood of chaotic and messy finishes.
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Our Reader’s Queries
Who will drive the 38 truck in 2024?
Riggs has secured a multi-year deal to steer the No. 38 vehicle on a full-time basis starting in 2024. His crew chief for the upcoming year will be Dylan Cappello. Meanwhile, Garcia has parted ways with McAnally-Hilgemann Racing and will be driving the No. 13 truck for ThorSport in 2024.
What is Nascar Truck Series called 2023?
The 2023 Craftsman Truck Series kicked off with the NextEra Energy 250 on February 17 at Daytona International Speedway and concluded with the Craftsman 150 on November 3 at Phoenix Raceway. Ben Rhodes emerged as the champion, while Grant Enfinger secured the second spot in the championship standings.
Where is Grant Enfinger Racing in 2024?
NASCAR driver Grant Enfinger has found a new home with CR7 Motorsports for the upcoming 2024 Craftsman Truck Series season. Enfinger will be behind the wheel of the No. 9 Chevrolet Silverado as part of a multi-year agreement.
What engine do Nascar trucks use?
Trucks utilize a “spec” engine, which is an LS based engine from Ilmor. Interestingly, even Fords and Toyotas run Chevy based engines. These engines are fuel injected and operate using a Holley EFI ECU management system. The decision to use this engine was primarily driven by cost savings.
