NASCAR driver Kaden Honeycutt got caught in a late crash during the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway on April 10, 2026. The incident started when Corey Heim and Christian Eckes made contact while fighting for the lead.
The crash ended Heim’s shot at the $500,000 Triple Truck Challenge bonus and collected several trucks, including Honeycutt’s. Christopher Bell later won the Tennessee Army National Guard 250.
However, the late-race incident became the focus after the checkered flag. Honeycutt had shown speed all night and started from the pole, but the contact ahead of him changed the outcome of his race in the closing laps.
Late Contact Ends Corey Heim’s Bonus run
Heim entered the race with a chance to win the Triple Truck Challenge after victories at Darlington Raceway and Rockingham Speedway. He moved into position to challenge Eckes, who led 132 laps. On lap 180, the two drivers made contact while racing for the lead. Heim hit the outside wall in Turn 4, ending his chance at the bonus.
The incident set off a chain reaction behind them. NASCAR driver Kaden Honeycutt, who was running near the front, got collected along with Layne Riggs. NASCAR displayed the red flag to clear the track. Heim finished 30th after the damage. Eckes stayed on track and finished fifth.
NASCAR Driver Kaden Honeycutt Explains What He Saw
NASCAR driver Kaden Honeycutt said the crash developed from hard racing between Heim and Eckes. He said their history on track played a role in how the incident unfolded.
“We just wrapped up. Those two have raced each other really hard, going back to when they were full-time, and it unfortunately trickled down to us. They got into each other and wrecked a really good truck. I hate that it happened, but we’ll move on and head to Texas.”
He confirmed he was not hurt in the crash.
“I’m fine, just disappointed.”
Honeycutt said he did not see the first contact clearly but reacted to what he noticed next.
“I didn’t actually see the initial contact. When I saw the 91 shoot up, I figured Christian didn’t just miss the corner, so I assumed the 1 got into him, but I wasn’t sure. Then it looks like they got together again on the restart.”
He added that his focus was on gaining track position at the time.
“I wasn’t really focused on them. I was trying to get by the 62 on the top. But yeah, they hit each other again, and it ended up taking us out. Just an unfortunate deal. We had a really good truck. We’ll fix it and move on to Texas.”
Christopher Bell Wins, as No Bonus is Awarded
Bell drove for Halmar Friesen Racing and held off Chandler Smith in the final laps to win the race. The victory marked his first Truck Series win at Bristol and the eighth of his career. Smith finished second and moved into the points lead.
The Triple Truck Challenge offers bonus money across three races, with Bristol as the final round. A full-time Truck Series driver must win to claim the bonus. Because Bell is not a full-time series driver, NASCAR did not award the bonus.
NASCAR reviewed the crash after the race and did not issue penalties. The result left Heim without the bonus but still in the championship fight. Honeycutt’s race ended early despite his strong pace and starting position.
NASCAR Driver Kaden Honeycutt Left Frustrated After Late Bristol Motor Speedway Twist