What’s Happening?

The 2023 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Champion has officially been crowned, and Ben Rhodes takes home the title. He had to survive multiple overtime restarts and a hard charge from Enfinger to take home the Crown. However, social media was more occupied with the crash-marred finish.

• Corey Heim seemed to have the Championship in hand before Carson Hocevar took Heim out with 31 laps to go. With Enfinger leading the Championship battle in the closing laps, Heim exacted his revenge on Hocevar to set up an overtime restart. On that restart, Rhodes got the better of Enfinger, but, Rhodes had to survive multiple Overtime restarts to finally take home his second Championship.
• Ben Rhodes becomes just the fifth driver in Craftsman Truck Series history to win multiple Championships, joining Ron Hornaday (4 titles), Jack Sprague (3), Matt Crafton (3), and Todd Bodine (2). It is also the fifth Championship for ThorSport in their history. Rhodes becomes the first Champion at any level to win multiple titles at Phoenix under the current format.
• The reaction to Rhodes winning the Championship was overshadowed by people panning how the race finished. There were some congratulations to Rhodes, but, a lot people were upset at the Heim/Hocevar antics and the overtime restart. The drivers particularly made their comments known

The Main Characters

The race began to unravel with 31 laps to go. Carson Hocevar wrecked Corey Heim while racing for the top Championship spot.

With Enfinger seemingly having the Championship in hand, Corey Heim exacted his revenge on Carson Hocevar.

Ben Rhodes got the better of Enfinger on an ensuing restart, but he sustained damage on another restart. Rhodes would overcome that, and another overtime restart for the title.

On Your Screen

Maybe it is impossible Darian.

However, Darian did take time to congratulate Rhodes on his second Championship.

Around the Garage

Josh Bilicki kept his mouth shut as long as he could

Josh Reaume, a team owner, was not thrilled with the show that was put on.

That’s pretty accurate.

Erik Jones is laughing.

Bruh indeed Landon Huffman, talk about a crazy showing.

Kaz Grala is not a fan of how these driver in this series have raced.

Denny Hamlin makes his long-awaited comment.

In the Stands

Indeed they are Diego Alvarado.

Nikolai P. Culp is going to have a sleepless night because of this race.

Squib found a way to both congratulate Rhodes and mention that they hated the race.

Sean called this race a “Shame for the sport”.

Tyler Wong did not like the race, but he congratulated Rhodes.

From the Pressbox

Jeff Gluck has spoken.

Carson Hocevar got to tell his side of the story.

Heim was asked whether or not he wrecked Hocevar intentionally.

Multiple overtimes and a wreckfest finish marred the evening for many. However, Rhodes is now a two-time Truck Series Champion, and he joins very elite company.