The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series heads north to New Hampshire Motor Speedway for a pivotal Round of 10 race this weekend. With playoff stakes high, teams will use Friday’s practice and qualifying sessions to position themselves for Saturday’s Team EJP 175. Track layout, tire wear, and strategy will all play key roles as 36 trucks compete, including playoff contenders and rookies. Every lap matters at the 1.058-mile oval, where preparation and execution could decide who advances and who sees championship hopes end.
Key Highlights
- Team EJP 175 Truck race Saturday, Sept. 20 at Noon ET on FS1.
- Friday practice session 50 minutes at 4:05 p.m. ET on FS2.
- Qualifying Friday at 5:10 p.m. ET, one round, one lap, FS2.
- 36 trucks entered, no withdrawals following CR7 Motorsports’ No. 97 exit.
- Playoff and rookie drivers included; metric system sets qualifying order
Qualifying Order and Metric System
Friday’s qualifying session will follow a one-round, one-lap format, with starting positions determined by a metric combining 70% previous race finish by owner and 30% current owner points.
| Position | Car Number | Driver | Metric Score |
| 1 | 69 | Derek White | 40.7 |
| 2 | 74 | Caleb Costner | 36.8 |
| 3 | 16 | Christian Eckes (i) | 35.3 |
| 4 | 2 | Stephen Mallozzi | 34.5 |
| 5 | 6 | Norm Benning | 34.3 |
| 6 | 2 | Jayson Alexander | 31.1 |
| 7 | 33 | Tyler Tomassi (i) | 30.1 |
| 8 | 22 | Blake Lothian | 28.6 |
| 9 | 20 | Mason Massey (i) | 27.7 |
| 10 | 62 | Michael Christopher Jr. | 27.2 |
| 11 | 76 | Spencer Boyd | 26.7 |
| 12 | 5 | Toni Breidinger # | 26.3 |
| 13 | 41 | Conner Jones | 24.3 |
| 14 | 91 | Jack Wood | 22.6 |
| 15 | 1 | Brent Crews | 22.5 |
| 16 | 26 | Dawson Sutton | 19.4 |
| 17 | 42 | Matt Mills | 17.5 |
| 18 | 45 | Bayley Currey | 16.6 |
Derek White leads the pack with a 40.7 metric score, followed by Caleb Costner (36.8) and Christian Eckes (35.3). Playoff drivers such as Jake Garcia (P26), Chandler Smith (P27), Grant Enfinger (P28), Tyler Ankrum (P29), and Daniel Hemric (P33) are spread throughout the field, making track position and pit strategy crucial for championship contention. Rookie drivers, including Toni Breidinger (#12) and Giovanni Ruggiero (#19), add another layer of unpredictability to the lineup.
| Position | Car Number | Driver | Metric Score |
| 19 | 17 | Giovanni Ruggiero # | 13.6 |
| 20 | 88 | Matt Crafton | 13 |
| 21 | 44 | Andres Perez De Lara # | 10.7 |
| 22 | 81 | Connor Mosack # | 10.3 |
| 23 | 177 | Corey LaJoie | 9.9 |
| 24 | 15 | Tanner Gray | 9 |
| 25 | 99 | Ben Rhodes | 5.3 |
| 26 | 13 | Jake Garcia (P) | 27.3 |
| 27 | 38 | Chandler Smith (P) | 24 |
| 28 | 9 | Grant Enfinger (P) | 16.2 |
| 29 | 18 | Tyler Ankrum (P) | 15.8 |
| 30 | 71 | Rajah Caruth (P) | 13.2 |
| 31 | 52 | Kaden Honeycutt (P) | 10.8 |
| 32 | 7 | Patrick Emerling (P) | 9.8 |
| 33 | 19 | Daniel Hemric (P) | 4.4 |
| 34 | 98 | Ty Majeski (P) | 4 |
| 35 | 11 | Corey Heim (P) | 2.4 |
| 36 | 34 | Layne Riggs (P) | 1.3 |
Practice Session Insights
Teams will get a single 50-minute practice session on Friday at 4:05 p.m. ET, aired on FS2. This time is vital for evaluating truck setups on New Hampshire’s unique one-mile oval, with flat corners that challenge drivers’ braking and corner entry precision.
Crew chiefs will analyze tire wear, balance, and lap times to optimize performance for Saturday’s race. With up to 36 trucks permitted to start, no entries will be cut after qualifying, allowing teams to focus on fine-tuning speed rather than battling elimination.
Playoff Contenders and Key Trucks
Layne Riggs, last week’s winner at Bristol Motor Speedway, returns for his 50th career start in the No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford F-150 with Bare Knuckle Brawl sponsorship. His recent success places him among the favorites, while seasoned competitors like Matt Crafton, Ben Rhodes, and Tyler Ankrum will also aim for strong finishes.
The mix of veterans, rookies, and playoff drivers ensures that Saturday’s Team EJP 175 will feature close racing, strategic pit calls, and crucial points battles as the Round of 10 nears its conclusion.
News in Brief: NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Qualifying Set for New Hampshire
The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series heads to New Hampshire Motor Speedway for the Team EJP 175, the final Round of 10 race, with 36 trucks entered after CR7 Motorsports withdrew the No. 97 truck. Derek White tops qualifying via the metric system, and Friday’s 50-minute practice begins at 4:05 p.m. ET, followed by qualifying at 5:10 p.m. ET on FS2. Layne Riggs returns as the Bristol winner, and playoff drivers will battle for advancement. Tune in Saturday at noon ET on FS1 for all the action at New Hampshire.
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