DIRT TRACK RACING

A look ahead at the 2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series playoffs.

Published

3 months ago

August 23, 2024

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The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series playoffs will kick off on Sunday with seven races of intense competition. The Milwaukee Mile will host the first postseason race, and with a competitive playoff field, the championship outcome remains uncertain.

Before determining the champion in Phoenix, the 10 playoff drivers must first navigate the Round of 10, where two drivers will be eliminated.

Where will the first round occur?

The Round of 10 features races at Milwaukee (August 25), Bristol (September 19), and Kansas (September 27). Last year, Grant Enfinger won at Milwaukee, while Corey Heim and Christian Eckes claimed victories at Bristol and Kansas, respectively. The varied nature of these tracks presents a challenging start for the playoff drivers.

Where will the second round occur?

The Round of 8 begins with a superspeedway race at Talladega, followed by events at Kansas and Martinsville. The diverse tracks in this round include Talladega, where Brett Moffitt and Eckes won last year, and Martinsville, which returns to the playoff schedule after a two-year absence.

Where will the championship race be held?

The championship weekend will again take place at Phoenix for the fifth consecutive year in 2024, with the Truck Series championship race as the opening event. The 2023 championship race was particularly chaotic, with Eckes winning and Ben Rhodes securing the title. The one-mile oval may not always provide thrilling side-by-side racing, but another dramatic championship event is possible in 2024.

What are the current standings?

Corey Heim (+39) and Christian Eckes (+36) lead the playoff standings, while Taylor Gray, the final driver in, has a narrow one-point lead over defending champion Ben Rhodes. Daniel Dye, currently at the bottom of the playoff standings, faces a tough challenge with a five-point deficit to overcome.

Who are the top title contenders?

Eckes and Heim have dominated the 2024 season, but Ty Majeski should not be overlooked. Majeski and his No. 98 team have won the last two races, and the prevalence of short tracks in the playoffs benefits him. Grant Enfinger is also a strong contender, having narrowly missed the championship in 2023.