CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoffs’ Round of 10 finale headed to Kansas
The NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series returns to Kansas Speedway this weekend, and this time it’s to decide which eight postseason contenders will move on to the next round in the Playoffs’ Round of 10 finale – the Kubota Tractor 200 (Friday, September 27 at 8:30 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN, and SiriusXM Radio).
To date, the 1.5-mile track has hosted 28 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series races, producing 24 different winners and 18 different pole winners. The winningest driver in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, Kyle Busch, and veteran Matt Crafton hold the most wins in the heartland with three apiece.
Four races have been won from the pole, most recently by John Hunter Nemechek in 2022.
Here’s a closer look at the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series veterans who have carved their name in the Kansas Speedway record books:
- Race record: Matt Crafton 139.857 mph (05/08/2015)
- Qualifying record: Erik Jones 179.396 mph (05/08/2015)
- Most races: Matt Crafton (28)
- Most poles: Ron Hornaday Jr. (3)
- Most wins: Matt Crafton and Kyle Busch (3)
- Most top fives: Matt Crafton (7)
- Most top 10s: Matt Crafton (15)
- Laps led: Kyle Busch (277)
In total, this will be the fourth time Kansas has hosted a CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoff Race (2020, 2022-2024). This season marks the third time that the 1.5-mile track will host the Round of 10 finale. Previously, Kansas served as the opening race in the Round of 8 in 2020.
Eight different drivers have won the elimination race of the first round of the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoffs – including current postseason contenders Grant Enfinger (2016) and Christian Eckes (2023).
| NCTS Playoffs First Round Elimination Race Winners (2016-2023) | ||||
| Date | Track | Playoff Race Winner | Season | Race No. |
| Saturday, October 22, 2016 | Talladega | Grant Enfinger | 2016 | 19 |
| Saturday, October 14, 2017 | Talladega | Parker Kligerman | 2017 | 19 |
| Saturday, October 13, 2018 | Talladega | Timothy Peters | 2018 | 19 |
| Friday, September 13, 2019 | Las Vegas | Austin Hill | 2019 | 19 |
| Saturday, October 3, 2020 | Talladega | Raphael Lessard | 2020 | 19 |
| Thursday, September 16, 2021 | Bristol | Chandler Smith | 2021 | 18 |
| Friday, September 9, 2022 | Kansas | John H. Nemechek | 2022 | 19 |
| Friday, September 8, 2023 | Kansas | Christian Eckes | 2023 | 19 |
Practice for the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series at Kansas Speedway kicks off at 3:30 p.m. EST on FS2, Friday, September 27, followed by Cometic Gasket Pole Qualifying at 4 p.m. EST.
Chevrolet continues dominance in 2024 season, but Toyotas rule the Heartland
Chevrolet has won nine of the 18 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race this season. The last non-Chevrolet to win was the No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford driven by Layne Riggs at Bristol Motor Speedway last weekend.
Chevrolet may be dominating the 2024 season, but Toyotas typically reign at Kansas Speedway, winning 12 of the last 28 races.
| Season | Manufacturer | Race Winners |
| 2005 | Toyota | Todd Bodine |
| 2009 | Toyota | Mike Skinner |
| 2013 | Toyota | Matt Crafton |
| 2014 | Toyota | Kyle Busch |
| 2015 | Toyota | Matt Crafton |
| 2016 | Toyota | William Byron |
| 2017 | Toyota | Kyle Busch |
| 2018 | Toyota | Noah Gragson |
| 2020 | Toyota | Austin Hill |
| 2021 | Toyota | Kyle Busch |
| 2022 | Toyota | John H. Nemechek |
| 2024 (spring) | Toyota | Corey Heim |
Chevrolet follows closely behind with 10 and Ford with six.
The Toyota drivers will look to power the manufacturer to its sixth victory of the season in the Kubota Tractor 200.
Make It or Break It: Dye, Rhodes need to dig deep
McAnally-Hilgemann Racing’s Daniel Dye and ThorSport Racing veteran Ben Rhodes find themselves below the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Round of 8 cutline as the series heads to the Round of 10 finale at Kansas Speedway.
2021 and 2023 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Champion Ben Rhodes finished 27th at Bristol Motor Speedway and left the 0.533-mile paved oval 12 points back from the Round of 8 cutline.
Unlike the vast Playoff experience Rhodes has, Daniel Dye is in his first appearance in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoffs. The 20-year-old has found a way to race his way into the top 10 – he’s recorded seven top-10 finishes so far this season, the most in his CRAFTSMAN Truck Series career.
The driver of the No. 43 McAnally-Hilgemann Chevrolet had a disappointing day at the Milwaukee Mile, finishing 32nd, but is only seven points back from the Round of 8 cutline and the final transfer position.
Currently, CR7 Motorsports’ Grant Enfinger is in the eighth and final position to transfer to the next round in the Playoffs on points. Just ahead of Enfinger in seventh is TRICON Garage driver Taylor Gray, up 23 points on the Round of 8 cutline.
NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoff Outlook Following Bristol Motor Speedway (September 19, 2024)
| Rank | Driver | Points | Starts | Race Wins | Stage Wins | Playoff Pts | +/- Cutoff |
| 1 | Christian Eckes (P) | 2,140 | 18 | 3 | 9 | 39 | |
| 2 | Corey Heim (P) | 2,125 | 18 | 5 | 7 | 42 | In On Points |
| 3 | Nick Sanchez (P) | 2,108 | 18 | 2 | 1 | 18 | |
| 4 | Ty Majeski (P) | 2,103 | 18 | 2 | 5 | 23 | 58 |
| 5 | Rajah Caruth (P) | 2,080 | 18 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 35 |
| 6 | Tyler Ankrum (P) | 2,070 | 18 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 25 |
| 7 | Taylor Gray (P) | 2,068 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 23 |
| 8 | Grant Enfinger (P) | 2,052 | 18 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 7 |
| 9 | Daniel Dye (P) | 2,045 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -7 |
| 10 | Ben Rhodes (P) | 2,040 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -12 |
Approaching Kansas: Playoffs Contender’s Career Performances
Just one race is left to decide who will survive and advance to the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Round of 8. A win at Kansas this weekend by a Playoff contender would guarantee their spot in the next round.
Here’s a look at how our 10 Playoff drivers have performed in the sunflower state previously.
| Rank | Driver | Races | Poles | Wins | Top Fives | Top 10s | DNFs | Average Finish | |
| 1 | Christian Eckes | 9 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 8.2 | |
| 2 | Corey Heim | 5 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 9.4 | |
| 3 | Nick Sanchez | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6.7 | |
| 4 | Ty Majeski | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 18.1 | |
| 5 | Rajah Caruth | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19.7 | |
| 6 | Tyler Ankrum | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 19.0 | |
| 7 | Taylor Gray | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 12.7 | |
| 8 | Grant Enfinger | 12 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 8 | 0 | 7.6 | |
| 9 | Daniel Dye | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 15.0 | |
| 10 | Ben Rhodes | 13 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 14.1 |
Christian Eckes, Corey Heim, and Grant Enfinger are the only previous winners entered this weekend.
Last Chance Race: Clinch Scenarios for Kansas Speedway
One last chance to move on to the Round of 8 this weekend at Kansas, here are the clinch scenarios for Friday.
Already Clinched
The following 3 drivers have clinched a spot in the 8-driver field of the next round: Christian Eckes, Corey Heim, Nicholas Sanchez.
Can Clinch Via Points
If there is a repeat winner or a win by a driver who cannot advance to the next round, the following drivers could clinch by being ahead of the 9th winless driver in the standings. The same point requirements listed below would hold true if a new win comes from among Christian Eckes, Corey Heim, Nicholas Sanchez, Ty Majeski, Rajah Caruth, Tyler Ankrum, Taylor Gray or Grant Enfinger.
- Ty Majeski: Would clinch regardless of finish
- Rajah Caruth: Would clinch with 21 points
- Tyler Ankrum: Would clinch with 31 points
- Taylor Gray: Would clinch with 33 points
- Grant Enfinger: Would clinch with 49 points
- Daniel Dye: Could only clinch with help
- Ben Rhodes: Could only clinch with help
If there is a new winner from Daniel Dye or another winless driver lower in the standings but still eligible to advance to the next round, the following drivers could clinch by being ahead of the 8th winless driver in the standings.
- Ty Majeski: Would clinch with 4 points
- Rajah Caruth: Would clinch with 28 points
- Tyler Ankrum: Would clinch with 38 points
- Taylor Gray: Would clinch with 40 points
- Grant Enfinger: Could only clinch with help
- Daniel Dye: Could only clinch with help
- Ben Rhodes: Could only clinch with help
Can Clinch Via Win
The following drivers would clinch on their win alone:
- Ty Majeski, Rajah Caruth, Tyler Ankrum, Taylor Gray, Grant Enfinger, Daniel Dye, Ben Rhodes
NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, Etc.
Dawson Sutton assume primary driving role for Rackley W.A.R. – Dawson Sutton will assume the primary driving duties for the No. 25 Rackley W.A.R. Chevrolet in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series beginning at Kansas Speedway this weekend.
Rackley W.A.R. and Ty Dillon mutually agreed to switch roles for the remainder of the season. As Dillon focuses on his future plans, the veteran racer will remain with the team as a driver coach and mentor to Dawson with the rookie driver navigating his transition from the Pro and Super Late Model circuits to a potential full-time opportunity in the Truck Series.
The 18-year-old from Lebanon, Tennessee has made two CRAFTSMAN Truck Series starts this season at North Wilkesboro Speedway (May 18) and Nashville Superspeedway (June 28).
“We are super-thankful for the job Ty has done for us this year as our primary driver,” said team co-owner, Willie Allen. “We appreciate his willingness to take on an additional role and help Dawson grow and develop as a young driver for the remainder of the NASCAR Truck Series season. We look forward to Ty’s continued valuable input and support in the ongoing development of our race program.”
Matt Mills returns to Niece Motorsports for full-time season in 2025 – Matt Mills will return for a full-time NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series season in 2025 with Niece Motorsports. Mills has been re-signed for a second year behind the wheel of the No. 42 Chevrolet Silverado RST.
The 2024 season was viewed as a transitional year for the driver who spent much of his career competing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Now having a full season of Truck Series racing under his belt, Mills looks to make a run for the Playoffs.
In May, the 27-year-old secured his best-career CRAFTSMAN Truck Series finish with a fourth-place showing at Charlotte Motor Speedway. He quickly followed up the result with an eighth place run at Nashville Superspeedway, and to-date has accounted for a total of four top 15 finishes.
“It’s been a really fun time with everyone at Niece Motorsports with what we’ve been able to build on throughout the year,” Mills said. “I’m hoping to carry that on through the next few races and into the 2025 season. Every opportunity I get, I’m very fortunate, and that wouldn’t be possible without my partners. I appreciate Niece Motorsports for believing in me; it’s a dream come true to race for an operation like theirs and race for Al Niece. I’m excited to finish off the year strong and ready to keep working into next year.”
“Matt has been a great add to our team this year,” said Efaw. “Even though he’s been racing in NASCAR for a long time, he entered this season with a fresh mindset. The Truck Series is a completely different animal compared to what he’s been used to racing, and he’ll be the first to tell you how much he’s learned. He knows the feel he needs out of his truck now, and I think we’ll have a chance to go out there and have a great year with him.”
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