Corey Heim Returns to Victory Lane at Darlington Raceway

KELSEY CHRISTMAN - STAFF WRITER

Corey Heim burns rubber as he celebrates his win at Darlington Raceway (Photo Credit: Jonathan Bachman, Jetty Images, March 2026)

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series returned to racing at Darlington Raceway after two weeks off following the debut of the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg within the series. The Buckle Up South Carolina 200 hosted a field including the four full-time Cup Series Drivers of Carson Hocevar, Christopher Bell, A.J. Allmendinger, and Ross Chastain. This was also the first race of the Triple Truck Challenge.

The action of this historic raceway was far from delayed with the yellow flag waving after just two laps in this 200 mile race. Contact led to Ben Rhodes cutting his left front tire and turning him in the wall to end his day as quickly as it began. Within 12 laps, the yellow was displayed for a second time in stage one as William Sawalich spun. Upon the second restart, the field was able to race to the stage end where Christian Eckes claimed the stage win.

Stage Two opened with Kaden Honeycutt out front, and he never relinquished control. Backed by a sharp, disciplined crew, Honeycutt maximized every trip to pit road by executing quick, efficient stops that consistently gained track position and kept him firmly in command through the end of the stage for the stage win.

After a caution on lap 106 for Conner Jones slowing on the track, the restart allowed Ross Chastain to overcome Honeycutt for the lead through turn 4, Chastain maintained the lead until Riggs and Majeski made contact to bring the yellow flag back to the track on lap 121.

While Carson Hocevar battled to defend his lead from Ross Chastain, the No. 77 began to show sparks coming from the rear of the truck. This caused Hocevar to slow prior to spinning after contact with the turn one wall with four laps to go. This caution brought the race to overtime.

The first overtime restart made it into turn one prior to Tyler Ankrum making contact with the wall from fourth and collecting Stewart Friesen. Corey Lajoie, Jake Garcia, Daniel Hemric, and Justin Haley all were damaged in this incident

On the second overtime restart, it appeared as though Ross Chastain had secured the checkered when Corey Heim dove through the corners to overtake the lead after restarting ninth. Chastain was left speechless with the final lap as Heim surged. Heim returned to victory lane with the Tricon Team for back to back wins at Darlington Raceway in the series following his win in August 2025. This victory also tied Corey Heim to fifth in all time wins in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck series alongside Johnny Sauter with 24 wins.

Though Hocevar’s misfortune continued with a finish in 22nd, Spire Motorsports did achieve a top five finish with the No. 7 truck of Connor Mosack. This was the second of twelve races he will drive in this season for Spire Motorsports.

While continuing their return to NASCAR, Kaulig Racing and the Rams had a quiet day in Darlington. A.J. Allmendinger finishes in 11th as the top finishing Ram for tonight’s race. Allmendinger piloted the No. 10 for Kaulig Racing upon the indefinite suspension of Daniel Dye. 

UP NEXT:

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will head to Rockingham Speedway for the Black’s Tire 200. The race will be at 4:30 PM ET on Friday, April 3rd, and can be found on FS1.