🚨 TECHNICAL INSPECTION & POST-RACE CLEARANCE: Official technical teardown inspection in the Phoenix Raceway Craftsman Truck Series garage concluded late Friday night. Kaden Honeycutt's winning No. 11 TRICON Garage Toyota, runner-up Christian Eckes (#91), and all top-5 trucks passed post-race ride height, minimum weight, roof hatch template, and POET bioethanol fuel sampling checks without penalty. Results are certified fully official.
Post Race Analysis: Brake Management & Clean-Air Dominance
Exhaustive technical and competitive breakdown from Race 22 of the 2026 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season (Chase Round of 8).
The Why: Kaden Honeycutt (#11 TRICON Garage Toyota) captured his 4th victory of the 2026 season and his 1st career win at Phoenix Raceway by executing a flawless pit execution and green-flag driver management strategy. Why? Starting P2 alongside pole-sitter Layne Riggs (#34), Honeycutt conserved his right-front tire shoulder and front brake friction material during the initial sun-lit stages. When crew chief Scott Zipadelli adjusted rear wedge during the Stage 2 break pit stop, the TRICON pit crew delivered a rapid 4-tire service that exited Honeycutt 2nd overall and 1st among Chase contenders. Honeycutt immediately passed Stewart Friesen (#52)—who had taken only 2 tires—on the Lap 98 restart, taking the lead and pacing the final 53 green-flag laps.
The So What: Honeycutt's 72-point night (1st-place finish plus stage points) expands his Chase championship lead over Layne Riggs from 17 points to a massive 39-point cushion (2,323 pts vs. 2,284 pts) with only 3 races remaining (Talladega, Martinsville, Homestead). This victory marks TRICON Garage's 2nd consecutive Phoenix Chase win in the #11 entry (following Corey Heim's 2025 title run) and establishes Honeycutt as the undisputed championship favorite.
Official Technical Insights & Mechanical Causality:
- Goodyear D-6142 / D-6116 Tire Performance: The low-banked Phoenix short-track radial compound exhibited heavy right-front shoulder wear over long 45-lap green-flag runs. So What? Honeycutt's conservative corner-entry brake bias preserved right-front tread life, allowing him to maintain a 27.672-second fastest lap time on Lap 100 while Christian Eckes (#91) suffered late-run understeer.
- Dogleg Apron Transitions & Shock Rebound: Drivers cutting the flat backstretch dogleg apron loaded extreme shock-absorber velocity onto left-front suspensions. Why? The abrupt elevation jump onto the 10° Turn 3 banking threatened splitter bottoming. So What? TRICON Garage's stiffer left-front spring rate prevented splitter grounding, enabling Honeycutt to cut the apron aggressively without locking up his front tires.
- Two-Tire Strategy Degradation: Stewart Friesen (#52) took 2 right-side tires on Lap 94 to jump 12 positions into the lead. Why? Halmar Friesen Racing sought track position gains. So What? On Phoenix's flat asphalt, the 2-tire grip imbalance caused immediate rear-end sliding, dropping Friesen from 1st to 19th over the final 52 laps.
Post Race Top 20 Finishers: Technical Factors
| Pos | Car # | Driver | Team / Organization | Mfg | Laps | Status | Key Aspect of Placement & Race Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11 | Kaden Honeycutt (C) | TRICON Garage | Toyota | 150 | Running | Pit road exit time & brake conservation; led final 53 laps to win. |
| 2 | 91 | Christian Eckes (C) | McAnally-Hilgemann Racing | Chevy | 150 | Running | Charged from 13th starting spot; runner-up for 3rd straight race (+1.556s). |
| 3 | 34 | Layne Riggs (C) | Front Row Motorsports | Ford | 150 | Running | Won pole award (133.141 MPH); led first 43 laps; lost balance at dusk. |
| 4 | 88 | Ty Majeski (C) | ThorSport Racing | Ford | 150 | Running | Swept Stages 1 & 2; led 49 laps; top finishing Ford entry. |
| 5 | 98 | Jake Garcia | ThorSport Racing | Ford | 150 | Running | Impressive drive from 23rd starting spot to complete ThorSport top-5. |
| 6 | 5 | William Sawalich | TRICON Garage | Toyota | 150 | Running | Strong developmental run in open entry; consistent top-10 pace. |
| 7 | 19 | Daniel Hemric (C) | McAnally-Hilgemann Racing | Chevy | 150 | Running | Solid 7th-place finish; gained vital Chase points. |
| 8 | 17 | Giovanni Ruggiero (C) | TRICON Garage | Toyota | 150 | Running | Rebounded from 16th starting spot to secure top-10. |
| 9 | 9 | Grant Enfinger (C) | CR7 Motorsports | Chevy | 150 | Running | Recovered from 23rd early running position to finish P9. |
| 10 | 1 | Brent Crews | KHI / Spire / TRICON | Toyota | 150 | Running | Clean drive from 12th starting spot to earn top-10. |
| 11 | 7 | Connor Mosack (C) | Spire Motorsports | Chevy | 150 | Running | Maintained lead-lap pace throughout all three stages. |
| 12 | 44 | Andrés Pérez de Lara | Rev Racing / Niece | Chevy | 150 | Running | Hard charger of the race; advanced 15 spots from 27th start. |
| 13 | 18 | Tyler Ankrum (C) | McAnally-Hilgemann Racing | Chevy | 150 | Running | Battle mid-pack handling; stayed on lead lap. |
| 14 | 77 | Tristan McKee (C) | Spire Motorsports | Chevy | 150 | Running | Solid debut run in national series Chase atmosphere. |
| 15 | 38 | Chandler Smith (C) | Front Row Motorsports | Ford | 150 | Running | Started 3rd; penalized for too many men over wall; faded from 7th to 15th. |
| 16 | 45 | Landen Lewis (C) | Niece Motorsports | Chevy | 150 | Running | Ran 3rd in Stage 1; lost ground on final green-flag stint. |
| 17 | 10 | Corey LaJoie | Spire / Kaulig | RAM | 150 | Running | Earned Free Pass on Caution 2; finished highest RAM entry. |
| 18 | 13 | Cole Butcher | ThorSport Racing | Ford | 150 | Running | Highest finishing rookie driver in the 36-truck field. |
| 19 | 52 | Stewart Friesen | Halmar Friesen Racing | Toyota | 150 | Running | Bold 2-tire pit strategy gave brief lead; tire wear caused late drop. |
| 20 | 16 | Justin Haley | Kaulig Racing | RAM | 149 | Running | Earned Free Pass on Caution 1; finished 1 lap down. |
*Finishing positions 21–36: #99 Ben Rhodes (21st / 149 laps / shredded right-rear tire), #26 Dawson Sutton (22nd / 148 laps), #12 Brenden Queen (23rd / 148 laps), #4 Donovan Strauss (24th / 147 laps), #76 Ben Maier (25th / 147 laps), #81 Kris Wright (26th / 147 laps), #42 Tyler Reif (27th / 147 laps), #15 Tanner Gray (28th / 147 laps), #14 Mini Tyrrell (29th / 147 laps), #25 Conor Daly (30th / 147 laps), #20 Toni Breidinger (31st / 147 laps), #2 Monty Tipton (32nd / 147 laps), #33 Frankie Muniz (33rd / 147 laps), #62 Leland Honeyman Jr. (34th / 145 laps), #22 Clayton Green (35th / 145 laps), #23 Jackson Lee (36th / 142 laps).*
Post Race Play By Play: Forensic Intelligence Log
Complete technical chronology including every caution, lead change, and driver penalty.
2
Cautions
16
Yellow Laps
6
Lead Changes
5
Lead Drivers
🏁 LAP 1: GREEN FLAG START
Primary Drivers Impacted: Layne Riggs (#34), Kaden Honeycutt (#11), Landen Lewis (#45), Frankie Muniz (#33), Ben Maier (#76).
The Why: Pole-sitter Layne Riggs took advantage of clean air through the frontstretch dogleg at the 7:51 PM ET green flag, getting a solid jump off Row 1.
The So What: Landen Lewis (#45) passed Kaden Honeycutt (#11) for 2nd position into Turn 1, while Frankie Muniz (#33) and Ben Maier (#76) dropped to the rear prior to the start for unapproved adjustments.
Primary Drivers Impacted: Layne Riggs (#34), Kaden Honeycutt (#11), Landen Lewis (#45), Frankie Muniz (#33), Ben Maier (#76).
The Why: Pole-sitter Layne Riggs took advantage of clean air through the frontstretch dogleg at the 7:51 PM ET green flag, getting a solid jump off Row 1.
The So What: Landen Lewis (#45) passed Kaden Honeycutt (#11) for 2nd position into Turn 1, while Frankie Muniz (#33) and Ben Maier (#76) dropped to the rear prior to the start for unapproved adjustments.
⚔️ LAP 44: LEAD CHANGE #1
Primary Drivers Impacted: Ty Majeski (#88), Layne Riggs (#34).
The Why: Ty Majeski utilized high-momentum corner entry on the low side of Turn 3 as Layne Riggs encountered lapped traffic in Justin Haley (#16).
The So What: Majeski overtook Riggs to lead Lap 44, marking the first lead change of the race and positioning ThorSport Racing to claim Stage 1 bonus points.
Primary Drivers Impacted: Ty Majeski (#88), Layne Riggs (#34).
The Why: Ty Majeski utilized high-momentum corner entry on the low side of Turn 3 as Layne Riggs encountered lapped traffic in Justin Haley (#16).
The So What: Majeski overtook Riggs to lead Lap 44, marking the first lead change of the race and positioning ThorSport Racing to claim Stage 1 bonus points.
🏁 LAPS 47–54: CAUTION #1 (STAGE 1 CONCLUSION)
Primary Drivers Impacted: Ty Majeski (#88 Stage Winner), Layne Riggs (#34 - 2nd), Landen Lewis (#45 - 3rd), Kaden Honeycutt (#11 - 4th), Chandler Smith (#38 - 5th), Christian Eckes (#91 - 6th), Ben Rhodes (#99 - 7th), Tanner Gray (#15 - 8th), Giovanni Ruggiero (#17 - 9th), Jake Garcia (#98 - 10th), Justin Haley (#16 Free Pass).
The Why: Yellow flag displayed for the end of Stage 1 at Lap 45 (off-track flag waved Lap 47).
The So What: Ty Majeski earned 10 stage points and 1 playoff point. The entire field pitted for 4 tires and fuel on Lap 48.
LEAD CHANGE #2 (Lap 49): Christian Eckes (#91) led Lap 49 during the pit road exit cycle due to pit stall location service timing.
Primary Drivers Impacted: Ty Majeski (#88 Stage Winner), Layne Riggs (#34 - 2nd), Landen Lewis (#45 - 3rd), Kaden Honeycutt (#11 - 4th), Chandler Smith (#38 - 5th), Christian Eckes (#91 - 6th), Ben Rhodes (#99 - 7th), Tanner Gray (#15 - 8th), Giovanni Ruggiero (#17 - 9th), Jake Garcia (#98 - 10th), Justin Haley (#16 Free Pass).
The Why: Yellow flag displayed for the end of Stage 1 at Lap 45 (off-track flag waved Lap 47).
The So What: Ty Majeski earned 10 stage points and 1 playoff point. The entire field pitted for 4 tires and fuel on Lap 48.
LEAD CHANGE #2 (Lap 49): Christian Eckes (#91) led Lap 49 during the pit road exit cycle due to pit stall location service timing.
🚀 LAP 55: STAGE 2 RESTART & LEAD CHANGE #3
Primary Drivers Impacted: Ty Majeski (#88), Christian Eckes (#91), Layne Riggs (#34), Kaden Honeycutt (#11).
The Why: Ty Majeski (#88) won the race off pit road among front-runners and controlled the inside lane on the Lap 55 restart, driving past Christian Eckes into Turn 1.
The So What: Majeski established a 2-second lead by Lap 70 despite Kaden Honeycutt reporting high engine water temperatures exceeding 230°F while battling Riggs for 2nd.
Primary Drivers Impacted: Ty Majeski (#88), Christian Eckes (#91), Layne Riggs (#34), Kaden Honeycutt (#11).
The Why: Ty Majeski (#88) won the race off pit road among front-runners and controlled the inside lane on the Lap 55 restart, driving past Christian Eckes into Turn 1.
The So What: Majeski established a 2-second lead by Lap 70 despite Kaden Honeycutt reporting high engine water temperatures exceeding 230°F while battling Riggs for 2nd.
⚠️ LAPS 91–98: CAUTION #2 (DEBRIS TURN 1 / STAGE 2 CONCLUSION) & IN-RACE PENALTY
Primary Drivers Impacted: Ty Majeski (#88 Stage 2 Winner), Ben Rhodes (#99), Chandler Smith (#38), Stewart Friesen (#52), Kaden Honeycutt (#11), Corey LaJoie (#10 Free Pass).
The Why: Ben Rhodes (#99) suffered a shredded right-rear tire in Turn 1 on Lap 90, scattering tread debris across the track surface and triggering the 2nd caution.
The So What: Ty Majeski won Stage 2 (sweeping both stages). During the pit stops on Lap 94, Stewart Friesen (#52) took 2 right-side tires to win the race off pit road.
LEAD CHANGE #4 (Lap 94): Christian Eckes (#91) led Lap 94 during pit road entry/exit cycling.
LEAD CHANGE #5 (Laps 95–97): Stewart Friesen (#52) took the lead on 2 tires.
🚨 PENALTY (Lap 94): Chandler Smith (#38 Front Row Motorsports) was penalized for "Too Many Men Over the Wall" during his pit stop and dropped to the tail end of the field for the restart.
Primary Drivers Impacted: Ty Majeski (#88 Stage 2 Winner), Ben Rhodes (#99), Chandler Smith (#38), Stewart Friesen (#52), Kaden Honeycutt (#11), Corey LaJoie (#10 Free Pass).
The Why: Ben Rhodes (#99) suffered a shredded right-rear tire in Turn 1 on Lap 90, scattering tread debris across the track surface and triggering the 2nd caution.
The So What: Ty Majeski won Stage 2 (sweeping both stages). During the pit stops on Lap 94, Stewart Friesen (#52) took 2 right-side tires to win the race off pit road.
LEAD CHANGE #4 (Lap 94): Christian Eckes (#91) led Lap 94 during pit road entry/exit cycling.
LEAD CHANGE #5 (Laps 95–97): Stewart Friesen (#52) took the lead on 2 tires.
🚨 PENALTY (Lap 94): Chandler Smith (#38 Front Row Motorsports) was penalized for "Too Many Men Over the Wall" during his pit stop and dropped to the tail end of the field for the restart.
🔥 LAP 98: DECISIVE LEAD CHANGE #6 & FINAL STAGE RESTART
Primary Drivers Impacted: Kaden Honeycutt (#11), Stewart Friesen (#52), Christian Eckes (#91), Layne Riggs (#34).
The Why: Restarting 2nd on 4 fresh Goodyear tires, Kaden Honeycutt (#11) launched past 2-tire runner Stewart Friesen (#52) in Turn 1, taking command of the race.
The So What: Honeycutt checked out to a 1.6-second lead by Lap 120 over Eckes and Riggs. Friesen plummeted to 10th by Lap 103 as his 2-tire grip faded.
Primary Drivers Impacted: Kaden Honeycutt (#11), Stewart Friesen (#52), Christian Eckes (#91), Layne Riggs (#34).
The Why: Restarting 2nd on 4 fresh Goodyear tires, Kaden Honeycutt (#11) launched past 2-tire runner Stewart Friesen (#52) in Turn 1, taking command of the race.
The So What: Honeycutt checked out to a 1.6-second lead by Lap 120 over Eckes and Riggs. Friesen plummeted to 10th by Lap 103 as his 2-tire grip faded.
🏁 LAP 150: CHECKERED FLAG & VICTORY
Primary Drivers Impacted: Kaden Honeycutt (#11 Winner), Christian Eckes (#91 - 2nd), Layne Riggs (#34 - 3rd), Ty Majeski (#88 - 4th), Jake Garcia (#98 - 5th).
The Why: Kaden Honeycutt led the final 53 laps under green, crossing the finish line 1.556 seconds ahead of Christian Eckes with an average race speed of 106.572 MPH.
The So What: Honeycutt secured his 4th win of 2026, earning 72 total points and expanding his Chase lead to 39 points over Layne Riggs heading into Talladega.
Primary Drivers Impacted: Kaden Honeycutt (#11 Winner), Christian Eckes (#91 - 2nd), Layne Riggs (#34 - 3rd), Ty Majeski (#88 - 4th), Jake Garcia (#98 - 5th).
The Why: Kaden Honeycutt led the final 53 laps under green, crossing the finish line 1.556 seconds ahead of Christian Eckes with an average race speed of 106.572 MPH.
The So What: Honeycutt secured his 4th win of 2026, earning 72 total points and expanding his Chase lead to 39 points over Layne Riggs heading into Talladega.
Post Race Standings Update: Chase Round of 8
| Rank | Driver | Team / Organization | Manufacturer | Total Points | Points Margin | Phoenix Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kaden Honeycutt (C) | TRICON Garage | Toyota | 2,323 | Points Leader (+39) | 1st (Winner / 53 Led) |
| 2 | Layne Riggs (C) | Front Row Motorsports | Ford | 2,284 | -39 pts | 3rd (43 Led / Pole) |
| 3 | Christian Eckes (C) | McAnally-Hilgemann Racing | Chevy | 2,211 | -112 pts | 2nd (+1.556s) |
| 4 | Chandler Smith (C) | Front Row Motorsports | Ford | 2,206 | -117 pts | 15th (Penalty) |
| 5 | Ty Majeski (C) | ThorSport Racing | Ford | 2,188 | -135 pts | 4th (49 Led / Stg 1&2) |
| 6 | Daniel Hemric (C) | McAnally-Hilgemann Racing | Chevy | 2,175 | -148 pts | 7th |
| 7 | Giovanni Ruggiero (C) | TRICON Garage | Toyota | 2,172 | -151 pts | 8th |
| 8 | Grant Enfinger (C) | CR7 Motorsports | Chevy | 2,139 | -184 pts | 9th |
| 9 | Ben Rhodes (C) | ThorSport Racing | Ford | 2,135 | -188 pts | 21st (Tire Cut) |
| 10 | Tyler Ankrum (C) | McAnally-Hilgemann Racing | Chevy | 2,122 | -201 pts | 13th |