Carson Hocevar Wins In Thrilling Finish at Kansas

Carson Hocevar celebrating in Victory Lane after winning the Heart of Health Care 200 at Kansas Speedway. (Photo: Sydney Redden | The Podium Finish)

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — In an exciting finish to the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race at Kansas Speedway, Carson Hocevar scored the victory in the Heart of Health Care 200, his first since joining the Spire Motorsports program.

Layne Riggs began running Hocevar down for the lead in the closing laps and was at his rear bumper as the two crossed the start/finish line to take the white flag. Riggs dove inside of Hocevar and, in Turn 2, got loose, washing up the track into Hocevar, causing both drivers to hit the wall, making impressive saves. However, Riggs lost too much momentum during the process and was unable to catch up to Hocevar.

“I just thought I’d make it entertaining,” Hocevar said. “That No. 34 truck (Riggs) was super good. This truck was really good on the short runs, and I didn’t think he would get to us for how far back he was, but he was super good. It’s been a while since I’ve been in a finish like that where it’s just all out there.”

Carson Hocevar burning it down after winning at Kansas Speedway. (Photo: Sydney Redden | The Podium Finish)

When looking back upon the replay of the contact with Riggs, Hocevar brought up thinking the contact was much worse in the truck than it appeared on camera and how he thought the race was lost momentarily.

“I’m shocked,” said Hocevar. “I thought I threw it away, and it doesn’t look that bad. I’d figure I’d kill it right here.”

Hocevar led a race-high 75 laps and captured the Stage 2 victory en route to the race win, which included overcoming an early unscheduled pit stop in Stage 1 to ensure his No. 7 truck didn’t blow a tire after contact on the initial start.

In just his second NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start of the season, Carson Hocevar won the Heart of Health Care 200 at Kansas Speedway. (Photo: Sydney Redden | The Podium Finish)

“I think that it’s not a season,” he said. “Knowing that I only get four shots at this, it’s win or bust. So, just taking care of it is most important. If that left rear (tire) blew, we would just feel really stupid if it takes us out of it.”

Riggs originally came home in the second position after the last lap battle with Hocevar ended with both trucks hitting the wall. In Stage 3, Riggs made a hard charge through the field after making a green flag pit stop, but ultimately came up one spot short on the win, but following post-race inspection, was disqualified and relegated to the 31st position.

“I gave it my all,” said Riggs. “We were really down bad with the track position there, and about midway through the third stage, we were about to take the lead and we did the green flag pit stop, which really hurt us. Last lap, I got to him (Hocevar), got into him a little bit, we both hit the wall and he won the race.”

Carson Hocevar celebrating atop his truck after winning the Heart of Health Care 200. (Photo: Sydney Redden | The Podium Finish)

Riggs was also happy about his performance against both Hocevar and William Byron, who finished in second place after Riggs’ No. 34 truck was disqualified. Riggs felt that racing against full-time NASCAR Cup Series drivers shows off his abilities and gives him confidence that he can race on Sundays in the future.

“It’s great to race with the (NASCAR) Cup (Series) guys and I think it proves that I’m going to be there one day,” Riggs said.

Rounding out the top five was Corey Heim, who led 52 laps in fourth, followed by Gio Ruggiero in fifth.

Stewart Friesen finished sixth, followed by Brandon Jones, Jake Garcia, Kaden Honeycutt, and Grant Enfinger to cap off the top 10 finishers at Kansas Speedway.

The Truck Series begins the North Carolina swing with a trip to the North Wilkesboro Speedway for the Window World 250 on Saturday, May 17, with coverage on FS1 beginning 1:30 pm EST, NASCAR Racing Network, and Sirius XM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

Stage 1 Top 10 Results

1. Corey Heim
2. Rajah Caruth
3. Grant Enfinger
4. Carson Hocevar
5. Chandler Smith
6. Layne Riggs*
7. Daniel Hemric
8. Kaden Honeycutt
9. Tanner Gray
10. Bayley Currey

Stage 2 Top 10 Results

1. Carson Hocevar
2. Layne Riggs*
3. Grant Enfiger
4. William Byron
5. Daniel Hemric
6. Tanner Gray
7. Tyler Ankrum
8. Ben Rhodes
9. Kaden Honeycutt
10. Rajah Caruth

Heart of Healthcare 200 at Kansas Speedway Finishing Results

*Riggs was credited with a 31st-place finish after being DQ’d following post-race inspection.