NCTS Race Recap: Love’s RV Stop 225

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series continued its playoffs in the Love’s RV Stop 225 at Talladega Superspeedway. Giovanni Ruggiero was quickest in qualifying, so he got the top spot at the start. Ty Majeski joined him on the front row. Corey Heim and Matt Crafton started the race on the second row. Layne Riggs did not make a qualifying attempt after his truck was found to have an unapproved adjustment after inspection. The stage lengths were 20 laps for the first and second stages, with the final stage being 45 laps.

Action Early

Ruggiero got a good launch at the start. He led his line into turn one with Heim pushing. With Majeski leading the outside line, they fell by about seven truck lengths. The outside line broke up, while the inside line continued to gain followers.

Grant Enfinger brought out the first caution after he got a bad push from Chandler Smith. The push sent him into Daniel Hemric. Jake Garcia ran into Enfinger head-on. Enfinger limped to his pit stall but was unable to continue the race.

Ben Rhodes joined Ruggiero on the front row for the restart. The outside line stayed equal alongside the inside. Before the pack could get back up to speed, Layne Riggs was turned across the track. He got a bad push from Smith, which sent him into Connor Mosack. Riggs hit the outside wall but was able to drive his truck to pit road to get repairs.

Rajah Caruth and Heim got the race restarted from the front row. Rhodes pushed Heim out in front of the field. The inside line was less organized but gathered itself, leaving Heim in the lead. Caruth stayed out front of the outside line as they got in order. They were able to push Caruth out in front of Heim.

Caruth led the field to his first stage win of the year. Corey Lajoie, Heim, JJ Yeley, and Rhodes rounded out the top five.

Young Drivers Finishing Out Front

Yeley and Ruggiero led the field back to green. Riggs pushed Ruggiero out front, but Yeley was able to battle back. Riggs then shoved himself and Ruggiero clear of Yeley, and they immediately dropped to the inside line.

Chandler Smith tried to start a line on the top of the track, but no one joined him, and he fell to the rear of the field.

Both lines stayed side by side with Luke Fenhaus leading the outside line, and Ruggiero in front of the inside.

On lap 32, Riggs slowed with a flat tire. Bret Holmes got the worst of it as he was hit in the rear and turned into the inside wall.

With five to go in the stage, Ruggiero and Fenhaus restarted on the front row. Ruggiero was able to clear and slide down in front of Fenhaus.

Caruth jumped to the outside line and then took the lead of the inside line with Fenhaus behind him. It was not enough, though, as Ruggiero was able to snag the stage win. Kaden Honeycutt, Caruth, Yeley, and Fenhaus finished in the top five.

The Battle Heats Up

Tanner Gray and Parker Kligerman brought the green back out on the front row. They stayed side by side with Lajoie pushing Kligerman, and Smith pushing Gray. The inside line was able to pull ahead. The outside broke up and lost momentum.

Toni Breidinger ran into the back of Hemric as he slowed to try to get into the pits. Hemric ended up with severe damage to his left rear. He also had a flat right rear which slowed him.

Caruth made his scheduled pit stop with 31 to go in the race. That began a series of stops, with Heim, Honeycutt, Ruggiero, and several others leading the way

Nathan Byrd stayed out to lead the race.

After most stops were made, Heim found himself out front of those who stopped. Ruggiero was able to get in front of Heim. After Byrd pitted, they assumed the lead.

With 21 to go in the race, Norm Benning had trouble. His engine expired and caught fire. His fire suppressant system was able to put most of the fire out, and Benning was able to get out of the truck. That brought out the sixth caution of the day.

15 to Go

Ruggiero and Rhodes led the field back to the green. Heim pushed Ruggiero out front. Rhodes was able to get back by Ruggerio. Fenhaus and Rhodes dropped to the inside to take the lead. The inside line continued to stay out front and pulled away from the outside. The outside line could not stay together.

With Lajoie leading the outside line, they gathered back up and began to gain ground to the front.

With five to go, Rhodes led the field. Fenhaus pushed the leader and kept him out front.

Ruggiero and Heim moved to the outside line and left Rhodes and Ruggiero out. Rhodes was able to slide in front of them. Ruggiero and Rhodes made contact but were able to keep it straight.

With two to go, Fenhaus got to the rear of Rhodes in turn two. Rhodes got turned around. That brought out the seventh caution of the day. No trucks were severely damaged in the incident.

Overtime in ‘Dega

Heim and Lajoie led the field into overtime, and the top four trucks stayed close together. Ruggiero was shoved out front, but Heim was able to quickly catch up. Finally, Ruggiero took the white flag in the lead. Heim stayed on the rear bumper of Ruggiero.

Caruth tried to push Lajoie to the front but did not have the speed to match Ruggiero and Heim. Heim tried to make a move but could not get beside Ruggiero. Ruggiero threw the block. Ultimately, he was able to stay out front and get his first win. Ruggiero got it done in the Love’s RV Stop 225! Heim, Ty Majeski, Dawson Sutton, and Riggs would round out the top five.

Marvin’s Minute:

Gio Ruggiero led the most laps and was out front for most of the race. He showed his abilities and was able to stay in front of all the action. Ruggiero has shown speed throughout this season, but this has been overshadowed by his teammate, Heim. Heim is still the overwhelming favorite to win the championship. The truck series will continue its playoffs next week at Martinsville.