Tyler Ankrum Ends 130-Race Drought with Rockingham Truck Series Win
In a thrilling return to Rockingham Speedway after a 12-year hiatus, Tyler Ankrum clinched a spectacular victory in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series’ Black’s Tire 200. This win marks Ankrum’s first triumph since 2019 and ends a 130-race drought. He used a smart fuel-saving strategy and showed great determination. The race, held on April 18, 2025, saw Ankrum overcome early setbacks and tough competition to find his way back to Victory Lane.
Ankrum’s Long-Awaited Victory
Contents
Tyler Ankrum’s journey to victory in the Black’s Tire 200 was remarkable. Driving the No. 18 McAnally-Hilgemann Chevrolet, Ankrum’s win came after a long gap since his last victory at Kentucky Speedway in 2019.
The race at Rockingham showed his resilience and skill, especially in fuel management. After an early accident on Lap 2, Ankrum found himself a lap down.
He managed to recover his lost lap during the Stage 2 break after Lap 90. From there, Ankrum pushed forward, showing his skill and determination.
Strategic Fuel Saving
One of the key factors in Ankrum’s victory was his fuel-saving strategy. With his crew chief, Mark Hillman, making important pit calls, Ankrum was able to conserve enough fuel to finish the race.
“Just saving fuel, man. I knew we were five laps short. I was hoping I had saved enough, and we did,” Ankrum said after the race. Ankrum’s ability to save fuel was helped by drafting behind other competitors, such as Matt Crafton.
This allowed him to lift off the throttle and conserve fuel, giving him the edge needed to win.
The Race Dynamics
The race at Rockingham was filled with intense moments and strategic decisions. Pole winner Jake Garcia finished as the runner-up, trailing Ankrum by 6.657 seconds.
Garcia led for 43 laps but couldn’t match Ankrum’s fuel-saving tactics.
Corey Heim and Gio Ruggiero’s Pit Strategy
Corey Heim and Gio Ruggiero, both from Tricon Garage, played important roles in the race. They stayed on the track during consecutive cautions early in the final stage, running 1-2 before having to pit for fuel.
“I felt like if we had the track position we would have been in really good shape from the very start,” Heim commented. Their strategy fell short, with Heim finishing eighth.
Other top contenders, such as Layne Riggs and Chandler Smith from Front Row Motorsports, also faced fuel shortages and had to pit in the closing laps. This allowed Daniel Hemric, Rajah Caruth, and Grant Enfinger to finish third, fourth, and fifth, respectively.
Challenges and Setbacks
The race was not without its challenges. Reigning series champion Ty Majeski lost control in Turn 1 while racing Grant Enfinger on Lap 109.
Majeski’s No. 98 ThorSport Ford backed into the outside wall, eliminating him from the race and resulting in a 31st-place finish. “I just need to be better,” Majeski said, reflecting on his struggles.
Post-Race Standings
Despite the challenges, Corey Heim kept his lead in the series standings. He holds a 22-point advantage over Chandler Smith and a 62-point lead over Ankrum, who moved up to third place.
The top ten finishers included Kaden Honeycutt, Jack Wood, Corey Heim, Connor Mosack, and Gio Ruggiero.
Looking Ahead
The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will continue with the SpeedyCash.com 250 at Texas Motor Speedway on May 2. Fans can look forward to more exciting races as the series continues, with drivers like Tyler Ankrum aiming to build on their recent success.
