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.
Season Recap for the No. 76
With 22 races in the books, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series drivers took to Phoenix Raceway for the final race of the season. Spencer Boyd was putting a bow on his first season as the driver and team co-owner of Freedom Racing Enterprises.
The season started with the highest of highs and a top-five finish at Daytona International Speedway. An additional top 10 came later in the season at Talladega Superspeedway.
Boyd had completed an impressive 95.5% of laps ahead of the season finale and only suffered one DNF on the season (Pocono Raceway).
The No. 76 FRE team made a crew chief switch halfway through the season. Jeff Hammond stepped down from the pit box while remaining with the team, and Mike Hillman, Jr. took Hammond’s place.
With one to go, Boyd looked to better his season stats with Hillman and spotter, Reed Sorenson.
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship
In the lone practice session of the weekend, Boyd sat 28th fastest. The team noted over the radio they were building their notebook for 2025. However, they also wanted to avoid messing up practice for the Championship drivers. Following the final qualifying session of the season, Boyd lined up P30.
After getting strapped in, Boyd said, “Thank you for everything this year. I appreciate everyone taking a chance on FRE!”
Hillman added, “I’m super proud of the product we’ve brought to the track.” He went on to thank everyone, “From the pit crew to the guys at the shop, sponsors, and family, and fans listening at home, we appreciate everything.”
Stage 1
With only 150 laps left in the 2024 season, the green flag waved and drivers fanned out across the front stretch. Despite the chaos, Boyd maintained his position. And by Lap 4, drivers had settled into a mostly single-file line.
Boyd lost a position when Thad Moffitt worked his way around the No. 76. Over the next few laps, Sorenson updated Boyd on where trucks around him were beating him. While hanging onto P31, he started to move around and figure out which lane worked best for his truck.
With a nearly two-second lead, leader Ty Majeski started lapping the field. This put Boyd a lap down with 27 to go in the stage. While he was fighting Moffitt for the Lucky Dog, Sorenson noted, “Eyes forward. You’re better than these two cats behind you.”
With 22 to go, Boyd noted he was loose when braking.
Frankie Muniz worked his way around Boyd, followed by Nathan Byrd. Hillman said, “Get in a rhythm and run the [No.] 02 back down.”
With six to go, Sorenson noted, “Watch these knuckleheads trying to wreck.” But fortunately, they kept it clean.
Boyd noted he was still “wicked loose,” as he was sitting P33. However, he was saved by the caution when Muniz went for a spin to close out the opening stage.
Hillman encouraged his driver noting only 19 trucks were on the lead lap, and helped Boyd understand what he could do inside the truck with the brake issues.
Stage 2
After Boyd came to his crew for adjustments and returned to the track, he lined up P27. Another restart saw drivers use every inch of real estate once past the stripe. As Boyd settled in, Sorenson reminded him, “All out front.”
Suddenly, Jack Wood slammed the wall, bringing out the second caution.
Boyd radioed in immediately, “More of that! Whatever you did!” However, Hillman kept Boyd on track to maintain P29 with 27 to go in the stage.
With 14 to go, Boyd was holding his own and maintaining P29. Ten laps later, race leader, Majeski, worked his way around Boyd. Sorenson said, “Try to learn what he’s doing as you follow him around.”
Boyd finished the stage P29 and said, “It felt better. If I run the apron, in Turns 1 and 2, I’m too loose. I feel like I changed some things [inside the truck], but I don’t know if I made them better.”
Hillman noted he was only two-tenths off the trucks around him, but he was bringing some adjustments to help with what Boyd was fighting.
Stage 3
Following adjustments, fresh tires, and fuel, Boyd started the final stage of the race in P28.
On the opening lap of the final stage, the caution waved for a multi-truck pile-up involving Muniz, Stefan Parsons, Tyler Ankrum, and others.
Boyd had slowed to avoid the wreck, but Ankrum slid back down the track and right into Boyd’s nose.
Fortunately, the exterior damage was minimal. However, he immediately noted a vibration, but before he could come to his crew, the race was red-flagged. After a quick trip to the pits, he returned to the track in P30 with 43 to go.
Over the next few laps, Boyd had his eyes set on Lawless Alan. Before any ground could be made, Conner Jones found himself in the wall with the caution in the air.
Boyd returned to the pits and then to the track in P30. But, immediately, the caution was once again in the air. This time, it was for Layne Riggs.
With 27 to go, Boyd restarted P30. Seven laps later, he had gained two spots, and Hillman noted, “That was our fastest lap of the race.”
After back-to-back-to-back cautions, the final laps were calm and quiet. As Majeski claimed the 2024 Championship, Boyd brought it home P28.
Hillman noted they finished 29th in Owner Points.
Boyd thanked his team one last time, and said, “I appreciate the hard work, looking forward to the off-season, and next year!”
Click here to read a full recap of the 2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship race.
Sponsor Shoutout + Driver & Team Socials
NASCAR fans know sponsors make the sport go ’round. We want to give a shoutout to Socalx who played a huge part of the weekend for Spencer and the No. 76 team.
Be sure to give Spencer Boyd (Facebook, Instagram, X) and Freedom Racing Enterprises (Facebook, Instagram, X) a follow to keep up with the latest news from the driver and team.
