Roulette Recap follows a randomly selected driver throughout a race to break down their efforts. There is no telling ahead of time how the race will go. The driver could face calamity on the opening lap or start from the rear and win the race. With that, may the odds be ever in the driver’s favor.
Baptist Health 200
With 11 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races under his belt in 2024, Kaden Honeycutt was looking to finish the season strong. Of those 11 races, he brought home eight top 15s, five of which were top 10s, and two that were top 5.
He is credited with an average starting spot of P15 on the season. However, Honeycutt already bettered that by qualifying P6 for the Baptist Health 200.
After a series of thank you’s over the radio, Honeycutt said, “We’ll try to go back and do what y’all did last year and win this thing,” referencing Carson Hocevar’s 2023 win.
Stage 1
With the green in the air, Honeycutt took it three-wide and rocketed to P4. He and the three trucks ahead of him fell into single file while a great deal of shuffling took place behind him.
Spotter TJ Bell instructed Honeycutt to, “Take care of those tires,” as he held onto P4. On Lap 10, Honeycutt was battling Christian Eckes for P3. He briefly worked his way around Eckes but fell back into P4.
Then, as he claimed P2, he found himself in a three-way battle with Eckes and Taylor Gray. Honeycutt then set his eyes on pole winner, Corey Heim.
With nine to go in the opening stage, Honeycutt cut the lead to four-tenths of a second. Bell noted, “We’re still better than him [Eckes] and he’s got two lappers ahead of him.”
Honeycutt used this to his advantage. With six to go, Honeycutt was on Heim’s bumper. He remained there throughout the stage and finished P2.
He noted, “I needed drive. Maybe a little snug off. I feel pretty good up at the fence.”
Stage 2
During the stage break, crew chief Phil Gould opted for minimal changes to the No. 45 truck, which allowed Honeycutt to return to the track in P3.
The discussion immediately went to lane choice on new tires, with those drivers around them. Ultimately, Honeycutt chose the inside line behind the leader and said, “If it’s the wrong call, it’s my fault!”
With the green in the air for the short second stage, Honeycutt got a solid push from the No. 98 of Ty Majeski. But Honeycutt fell back and took it three- and four-wide as he settled in at P12.
By the midpoint of the stage, Honeycutt worked to P9. As he secured P8, Honeycutt radioed in, “This is all my fault. I’m so sorry.”
Bell replied, “Don’t be sorry! Go to work!”
Honeycutt once again found himself three-wide as he worked on maintaining position and gaining ground.
With nine to go, Honeycutt moved to P7. A lap later, he was scored second fastest on track and moved to P6.
Connor Mosack worked around Honeycutt, shuttling him back to P7, but Honeycutt continued to focus forward. The focus paid off as he reclaimed P6 with six to go. Bell said, “Clean air, let’s use it.”
Honeycutt immediately radioed in, “We need to work on drive.” Despite the needed adjustments, Honeycutt finished the stage in P5, adding six more stage points to his day.
Honeycutt radioed in another apology and said, “I’ve got a truck that can win this.” With that, Gould worked to refocus his driver ahead of the final stage.
Stage 3
The race off pit road was a three-way battle and after fuel, tires, and adjustments, Honeycutt started the final stage in P5. Bell noted, “We’re starting a whole new race. It’s ours to win. Let’s go get it.”
With that, Honeycutt was off. He lost a few spots and received minor damage on the restart, but his crew let him know it was “just a tire mark.”
After a few laps, he radioed in, “No take off!” But before any ground could be made, the caution was out as Honeycutt’s teammate, Matt Mills, was on fire with smoke overtaking the cockpit.
Once the track was cleaned up and the racing resumed, Honeycutt was sitting P6. For this restart, they opted for the top lane, and he found himself in a three-wide situation for multiple laps. As Honeycutt battled trucks with new tires, he fell to P13, with encouragement from his crew.
He settled in at P15 awaiting his turn to pit, which came on Lap 99. After his green flag stop, he was running P22, down a lap, waiting for the leaders to pit.
With 22 to go, Honeycutt broke into the top 20. Then, eight laps later, he was sitting P16, the second truck a lap down. With four to go, he was sitting in the Lucky Dog spot.
With two to go, numerous drivers began to run out of fuel. Unfortunately, he wouldn’t be able to cash in on his fortunate position. The race ran green and as Grant Enfinger won, Honeycutt crossed the stripe P14.
Sponsor Shoutout + Driver & Team Socials
NASCAR fans know sponsors make the sport go ’round. We want to give a shoutout to Moore Venture Foods who played a huge part of the weekend for Kaden and the No. 45 team.
Be sure to give Kaden Honeycutt (Facebook, Instagram, X) and Niece Motorsports (Facebook, Instagram, X) a follow to keep up with the latest news from the driver and team.
