Trucks: Mid-Race Report from EchoPark Speedway

What’s Happening?

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series are thundering away at EchoPark Speedway (formerly Atlanta Motor Speedway) in Hampton, Georgia. Here’s what’s going on as the second stage draws to a close in Hotlanta.

• The ThorSport Trucks dominated the opening stage with polesitter Jake Garcia and his teammate Ben Rhodes leading a bulk of the first two stages. They, along with fellow Ford driver Chandler Smith, formed a dominating single-file truck line at the top of the stage.
• Corey Heim returned to the Craftsman Truck Series this weekend. He started the race strong, methodically working his way up through the pack, eventually taking the race lead away from the ThorSport Trucks late in Stage 1. He went on to win the stage.
• On Lap 4 of the race, Christian Eckes, who returned to the Truck Series after an ill-fated stint in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series with Kaulig, had some issues. He’s off to a tough 2026 season. Back at MHR driving the No. 91 truck, he suffered a broken driveshaft, ending his day.
• With both stages now in the books, the top point earners so far in this race are Stewart Friesen (15 points with the Stage 2 win) and Andres Perez (7 points).
• Cup drivers such as Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (No. 45), Carson Hocevar (No. 77), and Kyle Busch (No. 7) have yet to upset the truck regulars and not for a lack of trying. Kyle Busch tried to make the bottom work in Stage 1 but was never able to clear the leaders. Still, they all three ran solidly in the Top 10.

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