North Wilkesboro played host to NASCAR All-Star Weekend. While the NASCAR Cup Series guys had an exhibition race, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series was in the midst of their season. With qualifying for the Window World 250 rained out, Corey Heim got the pole per the rulebook. Kyle Busch joined him on the front row. Layne Riggs and Chandler Smith had to drop to the rear for the start because of unapproved adjustments.
Heim Out Front
Heim got a great launch at the drop of the green flag. He took the lead and dropped in front of Busch. Gio Ruggiero made the pass for second on Busch. After ten laps, Heim had already built a two-second lead over Ruggiero. Busch continued to struggle after getting passed by Stewart Friesen for third. Heim caught the back of the field before 18 laps were completed.
Riggs made quick work of the field. He moved into the top 15 very early. Smith followed his Front Row Motorsports teammate through the field. As the field was spread out, they continued to pass their way to the front.
The first caution came out when Tyler Tomassi stalled his truck on the apron of the track. NASCAR used a push truck to get him off the track and into his pit stall. Heim was among several drivers who used this opportunity to pit for tires and fuel. Ruggiero and Friesen did not pit and assumed the front row. Heim restarted in sixth.
Run to Stage Points
With 16 to go, Ruggiero brought the field back to green. Friesen slid up the track in turn one, allowing Ruggiero to get out front. Three wide behind them, Heim was on new tires, trying to get the most out of the fresh rubber. He drove underneath Jake Garcia and tried to make the pass for third. Garcia was not having it and made it a tall task. Heim was able to complete the pass with seven to go.
Friesen pressed the leader, trying to force Ruggiero to make a mistake. Ruggiero was cool as a cucumber as he led the field to the green checkered flag to win the first stage! That was the first career stage win for Ruggiero. Friesen and Heim finished in second and third, respectively.
Stay With It
Heim and Riggs led the field back to green. Heim got the better launch, but Riggs drove deep into the turn, sliding into Heim, who may have hit the wall. Grant Enfinger saw his chance and scampered out to the lead. Brent Crews moved into second. Heim fell to third but did not slow down. He immediately looked ahead and began his work on Crews.
Tyler Ankrum caught the back of Heim and looked to pass his way onto the podium. Enfinger used the battling behind him to get out front by almost a second and a half. Heim completed the pass on Crews to move into second. After his earlier mistake, Riggs was able to gather himself and move forward. Riggs, Smith, Crews, and Ankrum were under an umbrella as they battled for third.
Heim began his hunt for the lead. He was able to cut a second out of Enfinger’s lead and did not slow down. Enfinger caught lapped traffic, which allowed Heim to close the gap. Connor Jones brought out the third caution with three laps to go in the stage. That halted the hard-charging Heim and allowed Enfinger to win the stage!
Meanwhile, Kyle Busch was caught speeding on pit road.
Heim Time Till it Ain’t
Enfinger and Heim won the race off of pit road and led the field back to green. Enfinger got a good restart, but so did Heim. Heim took the lead on the inside. Smith bulldogged his way into second as he passed Enfinger. He got underneath Heim to fight for the lead. Smith could not complete the pass, so he settled into second. He stayed within about three tenths of the leader. Heim began to pull away as Smith trailed off. He built his lead back up to over a second and a half. Heim was the fastest truck on the track.
With 39 laps to go in the race, Tomassi got into the outside wall to bring out the caution. He appeared to have a tire go down, sending him into the wall. Heim, Ruggiero, Riggs, and Crews were among the few who stayed out and did not pit.
Heim and Riggs brought the green back out. Smith, on new tires, restarted in fifth. Heim got the better jump to retake the lead. Smith got a great restart and quickly moved into third. Smith easily passed his FRM teammate, with Riggs on much older tires. He was able to close in on the leader.
Heim and Smith battled back and forth. The speed of Heim was able to overcome the much older tires. As Heim caught up to the lapped traffic, the battle intensified. Smith could not get beside the leader. As soon as Smith got to the back of Heim, Crews got turned around to bring out the fifth caution. Crews had some help from Ben Rhodes getting to his left rear.
Overtime Mayhem
Heim and Smith restarted the race for overtime. Heim got the better launch. Riggs got a great restart behind Heim. Riggs battled Heim for the lead. Diving into turn one on the last lap, Riggs slid up into Heim. Heim got turned around, but Smith got underneath them both and took the lead. Riggs followed suit in second. Chandler Smith drove to the checkered flag to win the Window World 250! Riggs finished the race in second. Heim would ultimately finish the race in 17th.
After the race, Heim approached Riggs and voiced his displeasure; however, no fisticuffs, just words, were thrown.
Marvin’s Minute:
Heim is the most talented driver in the truck series, by far. With that being said, Riggs got caught up racing for the lead. I do not think Riggs did anything too egregious at the end, but the same thing happened twice and ultimately cost Heim the race win. Riggs is a great racer, but may have been a tad aggressive in the end. Keep up with the Craftsman Truck Series as they race at Charlotte Motor Speedway next weekend!
