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Tyler Ankrum of McAnally-Hilgemann Racing has claimed victory once more in the NASCAR Truck Series, marking his first win since July 2019. This triumph comes after enduring a challenging start at the Rockingham race, where he fell a lap behind early on. Demonstrating perseverance, Ankrum effectively managed his fuel during the closing laps, outperforming his competitors who could not stretch their fuel as he did.
Breaking a six-year winless drought after 130 races, Ankrum has now set the record for the longest stretch without a win in NASCAR Truck Series history.
“I can’t express how grateful I am to the team for their support, especially after starting the day off a lap down,” Ankrum reflected after the race. His crew chief made a pivotal pit call that helped him regain crucial track position. “It was all about fuel conservation. I knew we needed to save a bit more, and thankfully, it worked out.”
On the strategies that contributed to his win, Ankrum elaborated: “Being five laps short feels like quite a distance, so I had to focus on every single bit of fuel. I adjusted my driving, lifting off the throttle and using the draft from drivers like Matt Crafton to preserve fuel. It’s incredible—this feels reminiscent of my win in Kentucky back in 2019. And now, here we are again.”
Fuel Strategies Prove Crucial
Ankrum’s victory was particularly noteworthy given the fuel miscalculations of other drivers. Corey Heim, who led for a significant portion of the race, had to pit early due to his strategy not aligning with the fuel needs for the final laps. With around 30 laps remaining, he lost the lead and made an unscheduled stop.
Ankrum completed his crucial pit stop on Lap 112, while others, including Andres Perez, were unable to match his strategy, leading to their downfall. Similarly, teammates Chandler Smith and Layne Riggs, who pitted seven laps later, also ran short on fuel. This strategic advantage enabled Ankrum to build a comfortable lead, allowing him to cruise to victory in the final moments of the race.
Crossing the finish line, Jake Garcia took second place, followed by Daniel Hemric in third, Rajah Caruth in fourth, and Grant Enfinger in fifth. Rounding out the top ten were Kaden Honeycutt, Jack Wood, Heim, and Connor Mosack.
The race was marked by two significant red flags: one for wall repairs after an incident involving Ty Majeski, and another to clean up debris from a three-truck collision that included Stewart Friesen, who expressed his frustrations post-race, questioning his future in the NASCAR Truck Series.
Race Results Summary
The race results highlighted the competitive nature of the event:
- 1. Tyler Ankrum – McAnally-Hilgemann Racing – Chevrolet – 200 laps
- 2. Jake Garcia – ThorSport Racing – Ford – 200 laps
- 3. Daniel Hemric – McAnally-Hilgemann Racing – Chevrolet – 200 laps
- 4. Rajah Caruth – Spire Motorsports – Chevrolet – 200 laps
- 5. Grant Enfinger – CR7 Motorsports – Chevrolet – 200 laps
- 6. Kaden Honeycutt – Niece Motorsports – Chevrolet – 200 laps
- 7. Jack Wood – McAnally-Hilgemann Racing – Chevrolet – 200 laps
- 8. Corey Heim – TRICON Garage – Toyota – 199 laps
- 9. Connor Mosack – McAnally-Hilgemann Racing – Chevrolet – 199 laps
- 10. Grant Ruggiero – TRICON Garage – Toyota – 199 laps
This race at Rockingham not only marked a turning point in Ankrum’s career but also underscored the tactical elements that play a critical role in determining the outcome of races within the Truck Series.
Source
www.motorsport.com