Rockingham, NC – It’s been so long since Tyler Ankrum won his first Nascar Craftsman Truck Series race that the pilot of n ° 18 McAnallly -Hilgemann Chevrolet did not find a victory path after winning the Black’s Tire 200 in Rockingham Speedway on Friday.
Thanks to a prodigious effort to save fuel, Ankrum crossed the finish line 6.657 seconds ahead of the winner and finalist Jake Garcia to break a drought of 1 p.m. dating from July 11, 2019.
Ankrum’s last victory was so long since the track which gave it its first victory – Kentucky Speedway – has long since fell from the calendar of the Nascar national series.
In the return of the series to “The Rock” after an absence of 12 years, Ankrum had to withdraw from the damage suffered during an accident in the turn 2, an incident which put a turn. Ankrum has recovered its turn as a beneficiary in caution for the break in step 2 after Tour 90 and embarked on a heroic journey forward.
The trophy was not the only award that Ankrum obtained for the victory. He also obtained a check for $ 50,000 for winning the last Triple Triple Trip Challenge race.
“It’s strange – I didn’t know where Victory Lane was,” said Ankrum after climbing his truck. “The way this day started, going down and (team leader) Mark (Hillman) calling on the stand to recover the position of the track. …
“I just save fuel, guy. I knew that we were five (towers) short. I was hoping that I had saved enough, and we did it … I just found something there where I lifted about 60% in the direction, and I was able to write (Matt) crafon and a few other guys, and I was able to save in this way.
“It’s just surreal. I have the impression that that’s about the way it took place in Kentucky in 2019.”
Ankrum took the lead for good at the 172 tour after Corey Heim and Gio Ruggiero came on Pit Road. The two tricon garage drivers stayed on the track during consecutive warnings at the start of the last stage and operated 1-2 before having to come to the road for fuel.
Heim seemed confused by the strategy that kept him on the track while other high -level contenders opposed the fuel that they hoped to wear them at the end of the race.
“I had the impression that if we had the track position, we would have been in very good shape from the start,” said Heim, who started the 15th and finished eighth. “Had simply had not had a good qualification effort on my side. It was a kind of difficult battle from there all day.
“I did not know exactly what had happened there the last 40 laps there, but we opposed it, and it seems that some of the other guys are not common fuel. Unhappy. Just a strange affair at this last stage, but I must be better on my part to better qualify and have the position of track.”
Even if motorsport at the forefront of the Fords of Layne Riggs and Chandler Smith opposed after the final stop of Heim, both lacked fuel and had to bring their trucks to the stands road in the closing towers.
Daniel Hemric, Rajah Caruth and Grant finally benefited from the Fords gas shortage, ending the third, fourth and fifth respectively.
The problems continued to follow the title champion of the Ty Majeski series, whose truck detached from the inner path 1 in Tour 1 while it was finally running at 109. Majeski finished 31st after a 13th place in Martinsville and a result of 33rd place in Bristol during the two previous races.
“I can’t really blame Grant,” said Majeski. “He kept me strong, obviously removed the air on my right side. Yes, just embarrassed, honestly. The last three weeks is not what I am as a driver. I feel so bad for everyone at Thorsport – (owners) Duke and Rhonda (Thorson) – Yes, I just need to be better.”
Heim, who led a 52 -lap top compared to 43 for Garcia and 29 for Ankrum, is first place in the 22 -point series on Chandler Smith and 62 points on Ankrum in third.
Kaden HoneyCutt, Jack Wood, Heim, Connor Mosack and Gio Ruggiero finished the sixth to the 10th in the 10th.
The Truck series will return to action at Texas Motor Speedway for Speedycash.com 250 on May 2 (8 p.m. He, FS1, Nascar Racing Network Radio, Siriusxm Nascar Radio).
– by nascar wire service. Special media in terms of field.