NCTS Race Recap: Fr8 Racing 208

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series continued its season at Echopark Speedway for the Fr8 Racing 208. Jake Garcia and Ben Rhodes were the fastest two, so they started the race on the front row. Cup regulars, Kyle Busch and Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., started the race in third and fifth, respectively. The stage lengths were 40 laps for the first two stages, with the final stage being 55 laps.

The race was delayed due to weather in the area. With the delay, NASCAR implemented the “Adverse Conditions Rule.” That rule meant that if the race was still going at 4:20, the next lap would be the white flag with no overtime.

Heim Brought his Watch

Garcia got the better jump on the inside line, but Rhodes fought hard to stay side-by-side. Adam Andretti got loose in turns one and two but was able to keep it straight. Rhodes took the lead outright on lap four, as Garcia did not have drafting help and fell back.

Christian Eckes pulled into the garage with driveshaft issues.

Cole Butcher fell out of the top five after trying to take the lead and falling out of the draft.

Grant Enfinger had to make an unscheduled pit stop due to a flat left front tire.

The top three trucks pulled away from the field. Busch, from third, tried to take second from Ty Majeski. He was unable to make the pass on the inside but was able to take the spot on the outside. Corey Heim also used the run to take third. Rhodes had to hold Busch off for the lead. Heim used the opportunity to take the runner-up spot. Heim then used his run to take the lead from Rhodes. Busch fell to fifth but did not give up. He used a push from Carson Hocevar to get alongside Heim and challenge for the lead. Heim was able to hold onto the lead and get the stage one win in the Fr8 Racing 208!

Enough Fuel?

Rhodes and Andrez Perez got the race restarted from the front row. Rhodes was able to use the push from Busch to take the lead. Perez stayed with Rhodes and kept side-by-side with the leader.

Hocevar began to be aggressive as he cut through the field. After restarting in eighth, he found the top five with his moves.

Kaden Honeycutt clipped the wall while trying to pass Garcia on the outside. Majeski also got into the wall. They both were able to keep it straight; however, both had to pit – Majeski for damage and Honeycutt for a flat tire.

As the field single-filed out, Busch tried to make a run but fell outside the top ten.

Rhodes maintained his lead over Stewart Friesen in the runner-up spot. Chandler Smith and Stenhouse, Jr. followed them closely, while Garcia rounded out the top five.

Rhodes slowed down and yelled over the radio that he was out of fuel, two laps short of the stage end. Friesen assumed the lead. Stenhouse, Jr. used the chance to take the lead. Friesen fought back, and Hocevar pushed him to the stage two win in the Fr8 Racing 208!

Race Against Time

Friesen and Garcia got the final stage restarted from the front row. Friesen, with Heim pushing him, was able to take the lead on the outside. Garcia was able to clear in the lead after Busch gave him a push. As quick as Garcia was in the lead, Busch passed him to take it for himself. Hocevar slid into second, and Garcia slotted in third.

The field single field out behind the leader in Busch.

Butcher got shoved into the wall by Kris Wright. That brought out the third caution of the day. Dawson Sutton was an innocent bystander when he got turned into the outside wall.

With ten minutes to go, Friesen joined Busch on the front row for the restart. They drove into turn one side-by-side. Busch got a better run off of turn two and took the lead. Hocevar kept his place behind Busch in second. The inside line gathered up very well and was able to get Friesen into the lead, albeit briefly.

Gio Ruggiero made a mistake and got out of the inside line. He fell out of the top five. John Hunter Nemechek took his spot behind Friesen. Stenhouse, Jr. got around Nemechek to take fourth.

Busch Running Out of Time

They were able to push Friesen out in front when the outside line made a mistake. Friesen, Stenhouse, Jr., and Rhodes were able to get in front of Busch. Stenhouse Jr took a shot at Friesen, which allowed Rhodes to pass on the outside for the lead. Busch immediately took a shot at the lead and made it stick. Busch took the lead on the inside.

Stenhouse, Jr. shoved Rhodes alongside Busch in the lead and took second for himself. Hocevar made a run but could not advance. Stenhous, Jr. used a huge push to go side by side with Busch in the lead. He then got loose, which allowed Busch to take the white flag in the lead. Busch would lead the final lap to win the Fr8 Racing 208 at Echopark Speedway!

Marvin’s Minute:

Echopark is proving to be a successful rebuild. While I try to type the recaps, I cannot type the intensity of the track. This repave has been such a great idea. I am not the biggest drafting-track fan, but Atlanta is a great middle ground. It is a mile-and-a-half of “hold your breath.” This track continues to impress, especially in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.