Kaulig Racing showcased both strong performances and bitter disappointment at the HyVee Perks 250 held at Iowa Speedway. In this Kaulig Racing HyVee Perks 250 Recap, team drivers secured top-10 finishes and endured dramatic setbacks during an intense NASCAR Xfinity Series showdown on the storied short track.
Benesch Chevrolet Earns a Solid Result
The No. 11 Benesch Chevrolet delivered one of Kaulig Racing’s top results of the day, after starting from the third position and navigating a shifting race environment. Despite initial concerns about car handling falling away after a promising qualifying session, the group executed swift adjustments throughout the event. Their persistence paid off, as the car regained its speed and handled the evolving conditions with skill, ultimately taking the checkered flag in sixth place.
“We had a really solid outing today. After qualifying third, we kind of lost the handling a little bit during the race, but we were able to get it back to where we needed it and finished sixth. It was a really fun day with this No. 11 group. A big thanks to Matt Kaulig, Chris Rice, and everyone at Kaulig Racing for putting this deal together quickly.”
—Benesch Chevrolet Driver
Carson Hocevar Climbs the Field for Another Top-10
The team’s No. 16 Celsius Chevrolet, driven by Carson Hocevar, started deep in the field, rolling off 25th. Despite battling a “free” handling condition early in the event, he emerged as one of the most prolific movers of the initial stint, surging into the top-15 within just 15 laps. As stage one unfolded, Hocevar steadily improved and finished 14th. Teammates and crew, including crew chief Alex Yontz, worked diligently during each pit opportunity, making key adjustments to address the car’s loose condition and bolster rear stability.
Hocevar continued to face handling challenges through the second stage, briefly falling to 18th before capitalizing on a timely caution to reclaim lost ground, again finishing 14th. Strategic calls in the final stage saw Hocevar restart as low as 22nd, but he relentlessly gained positions during green-flag runs, entering the top-15 once more. A crucial caution near lap 201 offered another chance for fresh tires, and in the final laps Hocevar’s progress peaked as high as seventh, ultimately securing a tenth-place result—marking his ninth top-10 finish of the year.
“It was an up and down day that resulted in a pretty good top 10. We were just kind of all over the board, fighting really loose and then really tight throughout the first two stages. Fortunately, everybody on this No. 16 team did a great job of trying to get our Celsius Camaro as good as we could here. I think we still have some work to do, but we’re getting closer for sure.”
—Carson Hocevar, Driver
Bitter Setback for Daniel Dye After a Strong Start
The opening laps were promising for Christian Eckes behind the wheel of the No. 10 Champion Container Chevrolet. Gaining several positions early, Eckes slotted into eighth at the end of stage one. However, a mishap with a pit stop resulted in a significant drop in track position, sending him to 15th to begin stage two. The car’s handling suffered from being overly loose during the second segment, dropping as far as 18th before stabilizing enough to finish the stage in 16th.
Strategic pit service during the stage break delivered fresh tires and necessary adjustments, giving Eckes a fighting chance in the closing laps. A determined push in the final segment saw the No. 10 Chevy charge up to 11th place. Tragedy struck, however, when a right-front tire failure sent the car hard into the wall, abruptly ending a day filled with potential and relegating Eckes to a 36th-place finish.
“We had a really good No. 10 Champion Container Chevy all day. We made up a lot of ground after losing some track position in our first pit stop. I was getting ready to pass for 10th, until we blew a right front tire. Not how we want to finish after running so well, but we will move on and get ready for Watkins Glen.”
—Daniel Dye, Driver
Kaulig Racing Eyes Next Steps After Iowa Drama
The Kaulig Racing HyVee Perks 250 Recap highlights both determination and unpredictability that define NASCAR’s Xfinity events. Team owner Matt Kaulig, president Chris Rice, and key strategists like Alex Yontz played pivotal roles in adapting to unfolding situations, making tactical calls to give their drivers a shot at top results. While Hocevar’s and the No. 11 group’s top-10 achievements reinforced Kaulig Racing’s competitive form, Daniel Dye’s miserable luck with a blown tire served as a powerful reminder of the ever-present volatility in motorsport.
Looking forward, the team turns its attention to regrouping and recalibrating strategies for upcoming races, especially at Watkins Glen. With the talent of drivers like Carson Hocevar and support from organizations like Champion Container and Benesch Chevrolet, hopes remain high for continued strong runs and the pursuit of victory as the NASCAR season unfolds. The journey for Kaulig Racing continues on, undeterred by setback and fueled by determination.
