Ankrum Takes on the Magic Mile: Will He Make the Playoff Cut?
The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is headed northeast, and for Tyler Ankrum, the stakes couldn’t be higher. This weekend, the No. 18 LIUNA Chevrolet Silverado RST rolls into Loudon, New Hampshire, for the Team EJP 175 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. It’s the first time the trucks have tackled the “Magic Mile” since 2017, and it also marks the final, nail-biting race in the Round of 10 playoffs. This isn’t just another race; it’s a cutoff race, where dreams of a championship can either soar or come to a screeching halt.
Ankrum and the Challenge of the Magic Mile
For Ankrum, this weekend is a venture into the unknown. He’s never turned a competitive lap at the tricky 1.058-mile oval. New tracks always bring a mix of excitement and anxiety, but when it’s a playoff cutoff race, that tension gets cranked up to eleven. While he might be a newcomer to Loudon, Ankrum is no rookie when it comes to the kind of flat, intermediate tracks that demand precision and rhythm.
With over 70 starts on tracks between one and 1.5 miles long, he’s bagged plenty of top-fives and top-10s, not to mention a win earlier this season. He knows how to get it done on these types of speedways. The real question is, can he tame the Magic Mile on his first try? The team has been burning the midnight oil, grinding away in the simulator to get a feel for the track’s unique characteristics.
“New tracks are always fun, but it can also be a very daring time, especially in the playoffs,” Ankrum admitted. “I am looking forward to New Hampshire for sure. We have been working really hard in the sim to prepare for this race, and I think we will have a pretty good truck.”
The Rollercoaster Playoff Ride for Tyler Ankrum
The playoffs have been a wild ride for the 24-year-old from San Bernardino, California. He came into the postseason with momentum, and the first race at Darlington seemed to prove he was a contender. Ankrum ran a smart, solid race, racking up crucial stage points that put him in a strong position, sitting fifth in the standings.
But then came Bristol. Last week, under the lights at “The Last Great Colosseum,” things went sideways. Ankrum was piloting an absolute rocket ship, qualifying third and running up front. He was in second place early in Stage Two when disaster struck. A spin in Turn 1 sent his Silverado careening, and just like that, his night was ruined. He battled back, but the damage was done, and a heartbreaking 20th-place finish was all he could salvage.
It was a tough pill to swallow. One moment you’re fighting for the lead, the next you’re just trying to survive. “Last week was a tough one to swallow,” Ankrum confessed, “but I know this team can bounce back from anything.” That’s the kind of resilience a driver needs in the playoffs. You can’t let one bad night define your season.
What Ankrum Needs to Advance
Heading into Loudon, Ankrum, and the No. 18 team sit 29 points above the cutline. On paper, that appears to be a decent cushion. But in NASCAR, especially in a cutoff race, “decent” can disappear in the blink of an eye. A bad pit stop, getting caught up in someone else’s mess, or a mechanical failure can all unravel in a heartbeat. Nothing is guaranteed.
The team knows they can’t afford to ride around and play it safe. The mission is clear. “The goal is truly to go out there and snag a win to lock us into the Round of 8,” Ankrum stated with determination. A win would erase all doubt and punch their ticket to the next round, no questions asked. It’s about taking control of their own destiny.
They’re not just looking to survive. They’re looking to dominate and prove that the speed they showed at Bristol was no fever pitch. This weekend is about laying it all on the line. It’s about redemption following a brutal Bristol outing and showcasing to the world that this team has the heart of a champion. For Ankrum, it’s a chance to conquer a new track and keep his championship hopes alive.
Tune In Information
Fans can watch the action unfold beginning with practice and qualifying on Friday at 4:05 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 2. The main event, the Team EJP 175, goes green on Saturday at 12:00 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1.
