Buckle Up South Carolina 200 At Darlington: Craftsman Truck Series, Finishing Order

The Lady in Black never gives anyone an easy night. Darlington Raceway is notorious for shredding tires, punishing mistakes, and turning small errors into big consequences. Friday’s Truck Series race lived up to every bit of that reputation. Under the lights, the field delivered a bruising, unpredictable fight that stretched into double overtime and kept the crowd locked in until the final sprint to the line.

When the dust settled, Corey Heim stood in Victory Lane after a perfectly timed final‑lap move that denied Ross Chastain the win. The race had everything: strategy gambles, elbows‑out racing, and drivers pushing the limits of what Darlington would allow.

It was the kind of night that reminds everyone why this track is considered one of NASCAR’s toughest. From veterans leaning on experience to young drivers proving they belong, the race revealed plenty about who’s ready for the long season ahead.

Craftsman Truck Series At Darlington Raceway

Buckle Up South Carolina 200: Full Finishing Order

1. Corey Heim — No. 5 — TRICON Garage
2. Ross Chastain — No. 45 — Niece Motorsports
3. Christian Eckes — No. 91 — McAnally HIlgemann Racing
4. Kaden Honeycutt — No. 11— TRICON Garage
5. Connor Mosack — No. 7— Spire Motorsports
6. Christopher Bell — No. 62 — Halmar Friesen Racing
7. Grant Enfinger — No. 9 — CR7 Motorsports
8. Gio Ruggiero — No. 17 — TRICON Garage
9. Daniel Hemric — No. 19 — McAnally Hilgemann Racing
10. William Sawalich — No. 1 — TRICON Garage
11. A.J. Allmendinger — No. 10 — Kaulig Racing
12. Layne Riggs — No. 34 — Front Row Motorsports
13. Tanner Gray — No. 15 — TRICON Garage
14. Timmy Hill — No. 56 — Hill Motorsports
15. Justin Haley — No. 16 — Kaulig Racing
16. Conner Jones — No. 42 — Niece Motorsports
17. Chandler Smith — No. 38 — Front Row Motorsports
18. Frankie Muniz — No. 33 — Team Reaume
19. Dawson Sutton — No. 26 — Rackley W.A.R.
20. Brenden Queen — No. 12 — Kaulig Racing
21. Corey LaJoie — No. 25 — Kaulig Racing
22. Carson Hocevar — No. 77 — Spire Motorsports
23. Jake Garcia — No. 98 — ThorSport Racing
24. Tyler Ankrum — No. 18 — McAnally Hilgemann Racing
25. Stewart Friesen — No. 52 — Halmar Friesen Racing
26. Justin Carroll — No. 90 — Terry Carroll Motorsports
27. Caleb Costner — No. 93 — Costner Motorsports
28. Cole Butcher — No. 13 — ThorSport Racing
29. Clayton Green — No. 2 — Team Reaume
30. Spencer Boyd — No. 76 — Freedom Racing Enterprises
31. Ty Majeski — No. 88 — ThorSport Racing
32. Andres Perez de Lara — No. 44 — Niece Motorsports
33. Kris Wright — No. 81 — McAnally Hilgemann Racing
34. Mini Tyrrell — No. 14 — Kaulig Racing
35. Josh Reaume — No. 22 — Team Reaume
36. Ben Rhodes — No. 99 — ThorSport Racing

Corey Heim: A Double‑Overtime Masterclass

The closing laps turned into a pressure cooker, but Corey Heim handled it with total control. His team’s decision to bolt on a set of scuffs gave him just enough grip to attack when it mattered. At Darlington, that small advantage can be the difference between hanging on and making a winning move.

On the final restart, Heim stalked Chastain with patience. Chastain defended hard, but Heim never lost his rhythm. He sent the truck deep into Turn 3 on the last lap, found the bite he needed, and powered off Turn 4 to complete the pass.

It was a clean, decisive move, the kind that wins races at tracks where opportunities are rare. The win also earned him the $50,000 Triple Truck Challenge bonus, adding even more weight to an already impressive night.

Ross Chastain And Carson Hocevar Put On A Show

Ross Chastain spent much of the race muscling his way through the field, and his battle with Carson Hocevar was one of the highlights of the night. The two traded lanes, traded momentum, and traded paint without ever crossing the line into recklessness. It was the kind of hard, respectful fight that Darlington rewards.

Hocevar showed a strong pace early and wasn’t afraid to lean on the wall to find speed. Chastain, meanwhile, looked poised to win before the final restart shuffled the deck. Both drivers walked away knowing they had the speed to contend, and the crowd got a show they won’t forget.

Kaden Honeycutt: A Breakout Performance

Kaden Honeycutt delivered one of the most complete drives of the night at Darlington. For long stretches, he looked like the driver to beat, running smooth, disciplined laps while others struggled to keep their trucks under control. Darlington is a track that exposes inexperience, but Honeycutt handled it with the calm of a veteran.

He protected his tires, stayed out of trouble, and kept himself in the fight all evening. His fourth‑place finish was no fluke. It was the product of speed, patience, and smart decision‑making. Performances like this don’t go unnoticed.

A Race Defined By Tire Wear And Precision

Darlington’s surface shaped every decision teams made. Tire falloff was brutal, and drivers had to walk a tightrope between aggression and survival. Running the wall was the only way to make speed, but one slip meant a trip into the fence.

The field handled the challenge with intensity. Side‑by‑side battles were constant, and the double‑overtime finish only amplified the drama. It was a night where discipline mattered as much as raw speed, and the drivers who balanced both found themselves near the front.

Storylines Worth Watching After Darlington

Corey Heim: A Rising Star With Momentum

Corey Heim’s Darlington win was more than a well‑timed move. It was a complete performance. He managed traffic, executed restarts, and stayed calm when the race turned chaotic. His versatility across NASCAR’s national series is proving to be a real asset. With momentum on his side, he’s shaping up to be one of the most dangerous drivers in the field. Nights like this accelerate careers.

Kaden Honeycutt’s Stock Continues to Climb

Kaden Honeycutt’s run showed he’s becoming a driver who can contend anywhere. He handled Darlington’s demands with maturity and never let the moment get too big. His confidence behind the wheel is growing just as quickly as his results. If this trend continues, he’ll be a consistent top‑ten presence before the summer stretch arrives. He’s proving he belongs in the conversation with the series’ best.

Ross Chastain Nearly Pulled Off The Upset

Ross Chastain brought his usual intensity and nearly walked away with the trophy. His long‑run pace was strong, and he defended the lead with everything he had. The final restart didn’t fall his way, but the speed was undeniable. He showed once again that he can jump into a truck and immediately contend. Expect him to be a factor whenever he returns.

Frankie Muniz Earns Respect With A Clean Top‑20

Frankie Muniz delivered one of the most quietly impressive drives of the night. Darlington has embarrassed far more experienced drivers, yet he kept his truck clean and completed every lap. His P18 finish was a meaningful step forward. He showed patience, discipline, and steady improvement. The garage took notice, and so did fans.

Five Performances That Nearly Became Headlines

Ross Chastain: Controlled the race late and defended aggressively before Heim’s final‑lap move. His pace was strong enough to win, and he managed traffic well. A slightly different restart could have changed the outcome.
Kaden Honeycutt: Looked like a contender for most of the night. His long‑run speed was among the best in the field. With cleaner restarts, he might have been in a position to challenge for the win.
Christian Eckes: Quietly put together a strong podium run. He avoided trouble and maximized every pit cycle. Eckes continues to be one of the most consistent drivers in the series.
Connor Mosack: Showed impressive speed and confidence throughout the race. His fifth‑place finish was well‑earned. Mosack is becoming a reliable presence inside the top ten.
Gio Ruggiero: Delivered another solid performance for Tricon Garage. He kept pace with the leaders and avoided costly mistakes. His development continues to trend in the right direction.

What This Means For The Championship Picture

Corey Heim’s win reshapes the early‑season outlook. He’s running well across multiple series and winning at Darlington, a track that demands precision, which reinforces how complete his skill set is. The Triple Truck Challenge bonus only adds to the momentum he’s building.

Honeycutt’s Darlington performance signals that he’s becoming a weekly threat. Drivers like Eckes, Mosack, and Ruggiero continue to show the consistency needed for a long‑term title push. The field is tightening, and the margin for error is shrinking.

What’s Next

The Craftsman Truck Series continues to deliver some of the most intense racing in NASCAR. Darlington provided the perfect backdrop for a night of tire management, bold strategy, and late‑race heroics. Corey Heim’s double‑overtime victory will be remembered as one of the standout moments of the 2026 season. The bar has been raised, and the rest of the field knows it.