It was a frantic run to the checkered flag in Friday night’s NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race at Darlington Raceway.
When the checkered flag flew, it was Corey Heim making a last-lap pass on Ross Chastain to secure the win in the Buckle Up South Carolina 200 at “The Track Too Tough to Tame.” It was Heim’s 24th career victory in his 91st start.
Following a chaotic finish that went to double overtime, take a look at what some of the drivers had to say.
Timmy Hill on a late-race strategy call: ‘It’s a good move’
In an interview with Frontstretch, Timmy Hill reflected on his 14th-place run.
The driver of the No. 56 elected to stay out after an early caution in the final stage. He led three laps and hoped for a caution that would keep him in contention for a solid run.
Fortunately, it panned out as Hill had one set of tires remaining for the overtime restart. Yet, Hill struggled to gain track position on the second OT restart and wound up 14th.
“We got up to 14th on the first [overtime restart]. The second one, I got boxed in and we ultimately just maintained 14th. Strategy wise, I thought it worked out really well. It’s a good move. With a couple more breaks, we could’ve gotten into the top 10 [and] challenged a little bit harder for the top five. Not enough time to really get further than that,” Hill said.
Although Hill was hopeful to post a top-10 finish and have a crack at the top five, the 33-year-old was satisfied with a 14th-place effort.
“This is a place that we finished top 10 at a lot. Ultimately, we want to finish top 10, maybe top five, [and] have an opportunity there, but we’ll take 14th for sure,” Hill said.
Corey LaJoie reflects on 21st-place run: ‘Too tough to tame’
Corey LaJoie had a top-10 run going in the Buckle Up South Carolina 200.
The No. 25 scrapped and clawed for everything they could in an effort to make their driver’s truck find more speed. On the final restart, as LaJoie told Frontstretch, he wasn’t sure what unfolded.
“[I] got ourselves in a good spot and then I’m not sure exactly what happened there. Old-tire restarts [had us] kinda hanging on to these things. … Darlington, man. Too tough to tame,” LaJoie said.
It was LaJoie’s first outing for Kaulig Racing in a RAM truck, as the organization entered this season fielding RAM entries for the first time since 2013.
LaJoie, who will return to the seat of the No. 25 in two weeks at Rockingham Speedway, looks forward to seeing the progression they make.
“I’m excited to build off this thing. I think they’re gonna take the same truck, fix it, [and] bring it back. I’ll keep learning, keep getting in with these guys and go have run a good run next week,” LaJoie said.
Christian Eckes avoids chaos to finish third at Darlington
Amid the constant position changing in the waning laps of Friday night’s race, Christian Eckes brought the No. 91 truck home third.
In the final few restarts, Eckes told Frontstretch that he was playing it safe.
“Just tried to keep my nose clean as much as possible. We had a lot of damage, but overall, we got in a decent spot to come home third. Proud of the effort. We’ll move on,” Eckes said.
The NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series circuit returns to action at Rockingham Speedway. The Black’s Tire 200 is set to begin Saturday, April 3 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time.
Truck Series Drivers React to Chaotic NASCAR Darlington Finish