Sanches, Eckes on Front Row for Texas Truck Race

(FORT WORTH, TX - APR 12, 2024 – RIS) Nick Sanchez and Stewart Eckes, were two of the last drivers to take to the track in qualifying for the SpeedyCash.com 250 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Texas Motor Speedway. The pair of Chevies will start side-by-side on the front row with Sanchez earning his second career pole position on the Fort Worth mile and a half track.

In the practice session, Tanner Gray and then Tyler Ankrum hit the wall exiting the second turn, both trucks suffering major right-front damage and sending the teams to a backup truck for the race. At the time of his incident, Ankrum had set the quickest lap time, just under a tenth of a second ahead of the Christian Eckes but Rajah Caruth nipped into the top spot with a lap four thousandths of a second quicker. Caruth held onto the top spot after practice ended, with Ankrum clinging to second, followed by Matt Mills, Kyle Busch and Taylor Gray in the top five spots.

In qualifying, Zane Smith set an early quickest time over a tenth of a second ahead of Caruth’s practice time. A few trucks later, Kyle Busch went out and leaped to the top of the pylon with a lap of 29.346 sec at 184.011 mph to set the fastest time so far at nearly two tenths of a second ahead of Smith’s time.

Grant Enfinger recorded the second-quick time so far, at 29.401 sec, moving Smith to the second row of the grid.

Busch’s tenure at the sharp end of the grid lasted until Stewart Friesen’s lap at 29.341 sec, pushing the Cup regular down by 0.005 second. Stewart Eckes and then Nick Sanchez both set faster times to occupy the front row for Sanchez’ second career pole at Texas Motor Speedway.

Practice: SpeedyCash.com 250, Texas Motor Speedway
Pos, Driver, Truck, Time, Speed, On Lap #, # Laps, -Fastest, -Next
1) Rajah Caruth, No. 71 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, 29.863 sec, 180.826 mph, 7, 22, ---, ---
2) Tyler Ankrum, No. 18 LiUNA! Chevrolet, 29.867, 180.802, 1, 3, -0.004 sec, -0.004 sec
3) Matt Mills, No. 42 J.F. Electric/Utilitra Chevrolet, 29.906, 180.566, 6, 15, -0.043, -0.039
4) Kyle Busch(i), No. 7 Realtree Chevrolet, 29.927, 180.439, 10, 23, -0.064, -0.021
5) Taylor Gray, No. 17 JBL Toyota, 29.934, 180.397, 4, 20, -0.071, -0.007
6) Corey Heim, No. 11 Safelite Toyota, 29.937, 180.379, 7, 21, -0.074, -0.003
7) Stewart Friesen, No. 52 Chili's Toyota, 29.939, 180.367, 6, 17, -0.076, -0.002
8) Christian Eckes, No. 19 Gates Hydraulics Chevrolet, 29.968, 180.192, 1, 21, -0.105, -0.029
9) Conner Jones #, No. 66 TSPORT Ford, 29.999, 180.006, 7, 17, -0.136, -0.031
10) Layne Riggs #, No. 38 Infinity Communications Group Ford, 30.001, 179.994, 10, 16, -0.138, -0.002
11) Ty Majeski, No. 98 Road Ranger Ford, 30.029, 179.826, 9, 24, -0.166, -0.028
12) Nick Sanchez, No. 2 Gainbridge Chevrolet, 30.032, 179.808, 6, 22, -0.169, -0.003
13) Ty Dillon, No. 25 Rackley Roofing Chevrolet, 30.064, 179.617, 11, 17, -0.201, -0.032
14) Matt Crafton, No. 88 Great Lakes Flooring/Menards Ford, 30.132, 179.211, 3, 18, -0.269, -0.068
15) Stefan Parsons, No. 75 Trophy Tractor Chevrolet, 30.152, 179.093, 8, 16, -0.289, -0.020
16) Dean Thompson, No. 5 McKee Utility Toyota, 30.152, 179.093, 13, 19, -0.289, -0.000
17) Chase Purdy, No. 77 Bama Buggies Chevrolet, 30.157, 179.063, 14, 23, -0.294, -0.005
18) Zane Smith(i), No. 91 SpeedyCash.com Chevrolet, 30.158, 179.057, 4, 20, -0.295, -0.001
19) Daniel Dye, No. 43 Champion Container Chevrolet, 30.191, 178.861, 7, 18, -0.328, -0.033
20) Grant Enfinger, No. 9 Champion Power Equipment Chevrolet, 30.229, 178.636, 7, 17, -0.366, -0.038
21) Bayley Currey, No. 41 AutoVentive/Precision Chevrolet, 30.242, 178.560, 2, 21, -0.379, -0.013
22) Kris Wright, No. 1 America's Auto Auction/Esmark Toyota, 30.246, 178.536, 6, 18, -0.383, -0.004
23) Johnny Sauter, No. 45 Karl Chevrolet Chevrolet, 30.282, 178.324, 15, 17, -0.419, -0.036
24) Jake Garcia, No. 13 Quanta Services Ford, 30.329, 178.047, 4, 18, -0.466, -0.047
25) Bret Holmes, No. 32 Precision Garage Door Chevrolet, 30.339, 177.989, 10, 17, -0.476, -0.010
26) Ben Rhodes, No. 99 Kubota Ford, 30.482, 177.154, 6, 19, -0.619, -0.143
27) Thad Moffitt #, No. 46 Safety-Kleen Chevrolet, 30.613, 176.396, 7, 16, -0.750, -0.131
28) Timmy Hill, No. 56 Coble Enterprises/UNITS Toyota, 30.669, 176.074, 5, 10, -0.806, -0.056
29) Lawless Alan, No. 33 AUTOChargit Mobile Ford, 30.716, 175.804, 15, 16, -0.853, -0.047
30) Mason Massey, No. 02 RANDCO Chevrolet, 30.995, 174.222, 5, 12, -1.132, -0.279
31) Spencer Boyd, No. 76 Tohatsu America Chevrolet, 30.999, 174.199, 7, 12, -1.136, -0.004
32) Keith McGee, No. 22 More Core Ford, 31.486, 171.505, 3, 11, -1.623, -0.487
33) Memphis Villarreal, No. 20 Laredo Trailer Supply Chevrolet, 31.768, 169.982, 13, 13, -1.905, -0.282
34) Tanner Gray, No. 15 Operation 300 Toyota, -0.000, 0.000, 0, 0, -0.000, -0.000
(i) ineligible for driver points, (#) Rookie

Best 10 Consecutive Lap Average
Pos, Driver, Truck, From Lap, To Lap, Avg Speed
1) Kyle Busch(i), No. 7 Realtree Chevrolet, 8, 17, 179.177
2) Christian Eckes, No. 19 Gates Hydraulics Chevrolet, 9, 18, 178.749
3) Taylor Gray, No. 17 JBL Toyota, 4, 13, 178.577
4) Nick Sanchez, No. 2 Gainbridge Chevrolet, 6, 15, 178.120
5) Layne Riggs #, No. 38 Infinity Communications Group Ford, 7, 16, 177.656
6) Ty Majeski, No. 98 Road Ranger Ford, 12, 21, 177.602
7) Zane Smith(i), No. 91 SpeedyCash.com Chevrolet, 6, 15, 176.951
Must run 10 consecutive laps 

Qualifying: SpeedyCash.com 250, Texas Motor Speedway
Pos, Driver, Truck, Time, Speed, Lap #, # Laps, -Fastest, -Next
1) Nick Sanchez, No. 2 Gainbridge Chevrolet, 29.219 sec, 184.811 mph, 1, 1, ---, ---
2) Christian Eckes, No. 19 Gates Hydraulics Chevrolet, 29.290, 184.363, 1, 1, 0.071 sec, 0.071 sec
3) Stewart Friesen, No. 52 Chili's Toyota, 29.341, 184.043, 1, 1, 0.122, 0.051
4) Kyle Busch(i), No. 7 Realtree Chevrolet, 29.346, 184.011, 1, 1, 0.127, 0.005
5) Grant Enfinger, No. 9 Champion Power Equipment Chevrolet, 29.401, 183.667, 1, 1, 0.182, 0.055
6) Daniel Dye, No. 43 Champion Container Chevrolet, 29.430, 183.486, 1, 1, 0.211, 0.029
7) Layne Riggs #, No. 38 Infinity Communications Group Ford, 29.462, 183.287, 1, 1, 0.243, 0.032
8) Bayley Currey, No. 41 AutoVentive/Precision Chevrolet, 29.475, 183.206, 1, 1, 0.256, 0.013
9) Taylor Gray, No. 17 JBL Toyota, 29.485, 183.144, 1, 1, 0.266, 0.010
10) Rajah Caruth, No. 71 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, 29.486, 183.138, 1, 1, 0.267, 0.001
11) Ty Majeski, No. 98 Road Ranger Ford, 29.524, 182.902, 1, 1, 0.305, 0.038
12) Zane Smith(i), No. 91 SpeedyCash.com Chevrolet, 29.540, 182.803, 1, 1, 0.321, 0.016
13) Jake Garcia, No. 13 Quanta Services Ford, 29.548, 182.753, 1, 1, 0.329, 0.008
14) Corey Heim, No. 11 Safelite Toyota, 29.552, 182.729, 1, 1, 0.333, 0.004
15) Chase Purdy, No. 77 Bama Buggies Chevrolet, 29.612, 182.359, 1, 1, 0.393, 0.060
16) Conner Jones #, No. 66 TSPORT Ford, 29.660, 182.063, 1, 1, 0.441, 0.048
17) Dean Thompson, No. 5 McKee Utility Toyota, 29.677, 181.959, 1, 1, 0.458, 0.017
18) Johnny Sauter, No. 45 Karl Chevrolet Chevrolet, 29.693, 181.861, 1, 1, 0.474, 0.016
19) Ben Rhodes, No. 99 Kubota Ford, 29.718, 181.708, 1, 1, 0.499, 0.025
20) Matt Mills, No. 42 J.F. Electric/Utilitra Chevrolet, 29.778, 181.342, 1, 1, 0.559, 0.060
21) Lawless Alan, No. 33 AUTOChargit Mobile Ford, 29.780, 181.330, 1, 1, 0.561, 0.002
22) Matt Crafton, No. 88 Great Lakes Flooring/Menards Ford, 29.854, 180.880, 1, 1, 0.635, 0.074
23) Thad Moffitt #, No. 46 Safety-Kleen Chevrolet, 29.886, 180.687, 1, 1, 0.667, 0.032
24) Ty Dillon, No. 25 Rackley Roofing Chevrolet, 29.971, 180.174, 1, 1, 0.752, 0.085
25) Stefan Parsons, No. 75 Trophy Tractor Chevrolet, 29.981, 180.114, 1, 1, 0.762, 0.010
26) Kris Wright, No. 1 America's Auto Auction/Esmark Toyota, 29.999, 180.006, 1, 1, 0.780, 0.018
27) Bret Holmes, No. 32 Precision Garage Door Chevrolet, 30.247, 178.530, 1, 1, 1.028, 0.248
28) Spencer Boyd, No. 76 Tohatsu America Chevrolet, 30.342, 177.971, 1, 1, 1.123, 0.095
29) Mason Massey, No. 02 RANDCO Chevrolet, 30.344, 177.959, 1, 1, 1.125, 0.002
30) Timmy Hill, No. 56 Coble Enterprises/UNITS Toyota, 30.449, 177.346, 1, 1, 1.230, 0.105
31) Memphis Villarreal, No. 20 Laredo Trailer Supply Chevrolet, 31.079, 173.751, 1, 1, 1.860, 0.630
32) Keith McGee (OP), No. 22 More Core Ford, 31.124, 173.500, 1, 1, 1.905, 0.045
33) Tyler Ankrum (OP), No. 18 LiUNA! Chevrolet, 0.000, 0.000, 0, 0, -----, -----
34) Tanner Gray (OP), No. 15 Operation 300 Toyota, 0.000, 0.000, 0, 0, -----, -----
(OP) Top 30 in Owner Points, (i) Ineligible for driver points in this series, (#) Rookie

Starting Line Up: SpeedyCash.com 250, Texas Motor Speedway
Pos, Driver, Truck, Team, Time, Speed
1) Nick Sanchez, No. 2 Gainbridge Chevrolet, 29.219 sec, 184.811 mph
2) Christian Eckes, No. 19 Gates Hydraulics Chevrolet, 29.290, 184.363
3) Stewart Friesen, No. 52 Chili's Toyota, 29.341, 184.043
4) Kyle Busch(i), No. 7 Realtree Chevrolet, 29.346, 184.011
5) Grant Enfinger, No. 9 Champion Power Equipment Chevrolet, 29.401, 183.667
6) Daniel Dye, No. 43 Champion Container Chevrolet, 29.430, 183.486
7) Layne Riggs #, No. 38 Infinity Communications Group Ford, 29.462, 183.287
8) Bayley Currey, No. 41 AutoVentive/Precision Chevrolet, 29.475, 183.206
9) Taylor Gray, No. 17 JBL Toyota, 29.485, 183.144
10) Rajah Caruth, No. 71 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, 29.486, 183.138
11) Ty Majeski, No. 98 Road Ranger Ford, 29.524, 182.902
12) Zane Smith(i), No. 91 SpeedyCash.com Chevrolet, 29.540, 182.803
13) Jake Garcia, No. 13 Quanta Services Ford, 29.548, 182.753
14) Corey Heim, No. 11 Safelite Toyota, 29.552, 182.729
15) Chase Purdy, No. 77 Bama Buggies Chevrolet, 29.612, 182.359
16) Conner Jones #, No. 66 TSPORT Ford, 29.660, 182.063
17) Dean Thompson, No. 5 McKee Utility Toyota, 29.677, 181.959
18) Johnny Sauter, No. 45 Karl Chevrolet Chevrolet, 29.693, 181.861
19) Ben Rhodes, No. 99 Kubota Ford, 29.718, 181.708
20) Matt Mills, No. 42 J.F. Electric/Utilitra Chevrolet, 29.778, 181.342
21) Lawless Alan, No. 33 AUTOChargit Mobile Ford, 29.780, 181.330
22) Matt Crafton, No. 88 Great Lakes Flooring/Menards Ford, 29.854, 180.880
23) Thad Moffitt #, No. 46 Safety-Kleen Chevrolet, 29.886, 180.687
24) Ty Dillon, No. 25 Rackley Roofing Chevrolet, 29.971, 180.174
25) Stefan Parsons, No. 75 Trophy Tractor Chevrolet, 29.981, 180.114
26) Kris Wright, No. 1 America's Auto Auction/Esmark Toyota, 29.999, 180.006
27) Bret Holmes, No. 32 Precision Garage Door Chevrolet, 30.247, 178.530
28) Spencer Boyd, No. 76 Tohatsu America Chevrolet, 30.342, 177.971
29) Mason Massey, No. 02 RANDCO Chevrolet, 30.344, 177.959
30) Timmy Hill, No. 56 Coble Enterprises/UNITS Toyota, 30.449, 177.346
31) Memphis Villarreal, No. 20 Laredo Trailer Supply Chevrolet, 31.079, 173.751
32) Keith McGee, No. 22 More Core Ford, Owner Points, 
33) Tyler Ankrum, No. 18 LiUNA! Chevrolet, Owner Points, 
34) Tanner Gray, No. 15 Operation 300 Toyota, Owner Points,
(OP) Top 30 in Owner Points, (i) Ineligible for driver points in this series, (#) Rookie

Track Qualifying Record: Johnny Sauter, 11/02/18, 28.608 sec, 188.758 mph

Track Race Record: Erik Jones, 11/06/15, 01:23:44, 158.002 mph