Tyler Ankrum Wins Black's Tire 200 at Rockingham with Fuel Strategy Triumph in NASCAR Truck Series

NASCAR fans, Friday at Rockingham Speedway delivered all the drama you’d expect from one of the most storied tracks in stock car racing—complete with a thrilling end, fuel gamble calls, and shakeups in the Truck Series points chase.

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series – Black’s Tire 200 at Rockingham

Tyler Ankrum snapped a 130-race winless streak, powering to victory in the Black’s Tire 200. It wasn’t just raw speed—Ankrum and his team nailed the winning strategy by saving fuel during a tense final stage. With smart pit calls and a calm drive, he held off late charges and crossed the line first, claiming his second career Truck Series win[1][4][5].

Top 5 Finishers:
- Tyler Ankrum
- Jake Garcia
- Daniel Hemric
- Rajah Caruth
- Grant Enfinger[5]

Notable Points:
Layne Riggs took Stage 2, but faded late to finish 11th. Corey Heim, who led the most laps on the day (52), slipped back to eighth but maintained a solid points lead in the series standings—22 ahead of Chandler Smith and 62 over Ankrum, who moved up with the win[1]. Post-race inspection cleared without issue, locking in the results[1].

Qualifying:
Qualifying results weren’t detailed, but the practice sheet for Xfinity saw Carson Kvapil as the top runner, followed by Connor Zilisch and Sheldon Creed[2].

Race Highlights:
- Overtakes and fuel strategy played a huge role. In the closing laps, conservation trumped aggression, with Ankrum eking out the win on fumes.
- Several dramatic exchanges throughout the pack, especially during the late restart and Riggs’ surge in Stage 2[5].
- No major crashes reported—a credit to driver discipline on the abrasive Rockingham surface.

Winning Strategy:
Ankrum’s team gambled on stretching fuel during the final green-flag run, a move that paid off as rivals peeled off for splashes of gas, leaving Ankrum in clean air to finish[1][4].

Driver of the Day:
Ankrum gets the nod—ending a long drought and delivering under strategic pressure in the series’ toughest grind[1].

Championship Standings Update:
- Corey Heim: Still series leader
- Chandler Smith: -22 points
- Tyler Ankrum: Now 3rd, -62 points[1]

Behind the Scenes:
- Ankrum post-race: “Relief. We took a risk, and it finally paid off. Can’t thank my crew enough for believing in this strategy.”
- No major team or personnel news from Rockingham. All eyes shift to truck setups for the next high-speed challenge.

Technical Analysis:
Abrasive Rockingham asphalt punished tires; tire management and fuel-saving tweaks to suspension setup proved crucial. Teams who ran a softer front compound gained initial speed, but those setups faded more severely on long green runs—explaining the end-of-race shakeup.

Statistical Highlights:
- Heim’s 52 laps led underlines his raw pace, but race management and pit timing told the tale.
- Passing was at a premium; key overtakes for the top five occurred during pit cycles and restarts.

Next Up: Texas Motor Speedway
The Truck Series is off for a week, returning for the SpeedyCash.com 250 at Texas on May 2. With high banking and multi-groove options, expect tire wear and fuel calculation to again play a central role. Early weather outlook: warm, potentially dry—ideal for high-speed duels.

Note for listeners: There were no major Formula 1 or IndyCar races concluded yesterday. Formula 1 action resumes next week, and IndyCar gears up for its next round soon.

Stay tuned for more breakdowns, behind-the-scenes stories, and all the racing stats you crave, as the battle for every point heats up heading into summer.