Corey Heim Defeats Unthinkable Odds to Win Darlington as Ford Fumbles Playoffs Berth

Corey Heim pulled off another stunner in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, grabbing his eighth victory of the year and locking in a spot for the next playoff round with a hard-fought checkered flag at Darlington Raceway. The Tricon Garage driver has been on fire all season, and this win at the “Lady in Black” shows he’s got the grit to handle the tough stuff, especially with the playoffs just kicking off. It’s his most dominant run yet, but the night wasn’t without its wild turns, particularly for the Ford camp, where Chandler Smith and Layne Riggs saw their hopes take a major hit.

Daniel Hemric, Grant Enfinger, Ty Majeski, and Trevor Bayne rounded out the top five, giving a solid showing for the field. Tanner Gray, Tyler Ankrum, Timmy Hill, Corey Day, and Jake Garcia filled out the top 10, keeping the pressure on in a race that tested everyone’s limits. Darlington’s narrow, abrasive layout always delivers drama, and this one was no different, with late-race chaos flipping the script for several playoff contenders.

The “Lady in Black” lived up to her reputation, biting hard in two separate incidents that turned the night upside down for some. Layne Riggs was out front late, looking like he had the win in the bag, when a flat tire slowed him down big time. Just when it seemed he might lose a lap, a timely caution from Kaden Honeycutt tangling with Andrés Pérez de Lara gave him a break. Riggs and Honeycutt both battled back but crossed the line 17th and 18th, a tough pill to swallow for Ford drivers hoping to advance.

Chandler Smith’s day went from bad to worse even earlier. Just 14 laps in, his No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford smacked the wall, flattening the right-front tire. He bounced back but hit the wall again, suffering heavy damage that ended his run. Finishing 30th, Smith’s fumble left Ford scrambling in the playoffs, highlighting how one mistake at Darlington can derail everything. With the postseason just starting, these setbacks for Smith and Riggs mean Ford’s got some serious climbing to do, while Heim’s triumph keeps Toyota rolling strong.

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