Best of the Rest: North Wilkesboro All-Star Weekend

Last weekend, North Wilkesboro’s resurgence had it’s turn on the schedule again. While the trucks had a regular points-paying weekend, the Cup stars had their annual All-Star weekend.

This article will be slightly different, as I will be choosing two drivers from the Cup side and the usual three from trucks.

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Craftsman Truck Series | Window World 250

#17 Giovanni Ruggiero: TRICON’s latest rookie addition Ruggiero had an impressive weekend at the legendary North Wilkesboro. Qualifying his #17 Toyota in the 4th spot, the TRICON driver had a presence at the front of the field the entire race. Ruggiero would go on to lead 24 laps, and finish 7th. This finish adds to a recent run of momentum by the Toyota prospect.

#66 Luke Baldwin: ThorSport Racing’s latest addition to the team had a strong showing during the weekend. Making just his third career start, Baldwin wheeled his Ford to a 13th place finish after rolling off 30th. Debuting driver Baldwin is also the son of famous crew chief and owner Tommy Baldwin.

#1 Brent Crews: Following in the footsteps of the above drivers, Toyota prospect Brent Crews made is Truck Series debut. Taking over the wheel of TRICON’s #1 Toyota, Crews had an impressive first run, keeping pace with the top drivers throughout the race. Following his 10th place qualifying effort, Crews would ultimately get caught in the lap 247 accident, and finish 22nd. The finish however, is not indicative of the strong run the rookie driver had.

Crews also has an ARCA win with Joe Gibbs Racing at Phoenix earlier this year as well. 

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Cup Series | All-Star Open & All-Star Race

Open:

#77 Carson Hocevar: The biggest surprise of the weekend came from Spire Motorsports’ Carson Hocevar. Earning his spot into the non-points paying All-Star Race via a win in the Open, Hocevar would go on to finish 11th in the main after rolling off 21st.

All-Star Race:

#1 Ross Chastain: There is not much secret that Trackhouse Racing’s Chastain has struggled to regain the reputation as a threat that the #1 team once had. The All-Star Race may be the catalyst for a strong summer for Chastain. Starting and finishing in the 3rd spot, the Trackhouse team proved they can still contend.