EcoSave 250 Craftsman Truck Series Starting Lineup: What to Expect at the Charlotte ROVAL

The engines are roaring, and the anticipation is thick enough to cut with a knife. We’re gearing up for the inaugural NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL, the EcoSave 250, and folks, the starting lineup is looking spicy. It’s a historic day, a brand-new challenge for these drivers, and a dream come true for fans who love to see the trucks tackle something other than an oval.

The Man on a Mission: Corey Heim Leads the Pack

If you’ve been following the season, it’s no shocker who’s sitting pretty on the pole. Corey Heim, the road course king, is on a tear, chasing his fifth consecutive road course victory. You heard that right, fifth. The man is a machine on these twisting, turning circuits. He laid down a blistering lap of 85.064 seconds, clocking in at a blistering 96.492 mph to secure the top spot.

It feels like every time we turn around, Heim is rewriting the record books, and this weekend is shaping up to be another chapter in his incredible 2025 season. He’s already got nine wins under his belt, and leading the field to green gives him the best shot to make it an even ten.

The Challengers in the Starting Lineup

Of course, Heim isn’t going to have a leisurely Sunday drive. Breathing down his neck is Layne Riggs of Front Row Motorsports. The battle between Heim and Riggs has been the story of the season, and qualifying was no different. Riggs was just two-tenths of a second slower, a hair’s breadth in racing terms, securing the second spot. It’s a classic rivalry, and seeing them start side-by-side on the front row is precisely what fans live for. The tension is palpable.

Right behind them, we’ve got some exciting young talent. Brent Crews, in only his eighth career start, pulled off a career-best third-place qualifying run. For the Davidson, North Carolina native, this has to feel like a homecoming. He’s shown flashes of brilliance, especially on road courses, and starting in the top three gives him a prime opportunity to make some real noise.

Rounding out the top five are a couple of drivers who know how to get it done. Grant Enfinger muscled his No. 9 Chevrolet to a solid fourth-place start, proving he’s a threat on any track. And Kaden Honeycutt, who consistently finds his way to the front, will roll off fifth.

Noteworthy Names and Double-Duty Drivers

The starting lineup has even more stories brewing further down the grid. Connor Zilisch, the can’t-miss kid who’s already a 10-time winner in the Xfinity Series, will be pulling double-duty this weekend. He’s starting sixth in the Truck race, and you can bet he’s hungry to prove he can wheel anything with four tires. Watching him balance two different race cars on a tricky track like the ROVAL will be a spectacle in itself.

You’ve also got to keep an eye on TRICON Garage rookie Gio Ruggiero, who impressed with a seventh-place start. And fan-favorite Corey LaJoie is bringing his Cup Series experience to the Truck Series, starting eighth. Defending series champion Ty Majeski and road course ringer Josh Bilicki complete a seriously stacked top ten.

EcoSave 250 at the Charlotte Roval:

Craftsman Truck Series: Starting Lineup

(p) indicates drivers eligible for playoff points

•  1. Corey Heim (p), No. 11
• 2. Layne Riggs (p), No. 34
• 3. Brent Crews, No. 1
• 4. Grant Enfinger (p), No. 9
• 5. Kaden Honeycutt (p), No. 52
• 6. Connor Zilisch, No. 7
• 7. Gio Ruggiero, No. 17
• 8. Corey LaJoie, NO. 77
• 9. Ty Majeski (p), No. 98
• 10. Josh Bilicki, No. 41
• 11. Tyler Ankrum (p), No. 18
• 12. Bayley Currey, No. 45
• 13. Andres Perez de Lara, No. 44
• 14. Tanner Gray, No. 15
• 15. Connor Mosack, No. 81
• 16. Parker Kligerman, No. 76
• 17. Matt Mills, No. 42
• 18. Rajah Caruth (p), No. 71
• 19. Dawson Sutton, No. 26
• 20. Chandler Smith, No. 38
• 21. Ben Maier, No. 02
• 22. Ben Rhodes, No. 99
• 23. Jake Garcia, No. 13
• 24. Matt Crafton, No. 88
• 25. Kris Wright, No. 16
• 26. Timmy Hill, No. 56
• 27. Jack Wood, No. 91
• 28. Wesley Simp, No. 62
• 29. Mason Maggio, No. 33
• 30. Toni Breidinger, No. 5
• 31. Will Rodgers, No. 20
• 32. Spencer Boyd, No. 76
• 33. Tyler Tomassi, No. 69
• 34. Daniel Hemric (p), No. 19
• 35. Josh Reaume, No. 22
• 36. Carter Fartuch, No. 2

Drama Before the Green Flag

It wouldn’t be a race weekend without a little adversity. Daniel Hemric, one of the eight drivers on the starting lineup, is fighting tooth and nail for a Championship 4 spot, hit a snag. A mechanical issue in practice meant he couldn’t even post a qualifying lap. He’ll have to start from the rear of the field, turning his race into an uphill battle from the very first lap.

For a playoff driver, that’s a gut-punch, but if anyone has the grit to fight through the field, it’s Hemric. The inaugural EcoSave 250 is set for Friday, October 3, at 3:30 PM ET. It’s a new track for the series, a stacked starting lineup, and championship hopes on the line. This isn’t just another race. It’s a test of will, skill, and a little bit of luck. You won’t want to miss a single lap.