FORT WORTH, Texas – The NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series returns to Texas Motor Speedway this weekend for a historic milestone: the 51st running of a Truck Series race at the 1.5-mile oval, more than any other track in series history. Since first hosting the series in 1997, Texas has become a mainstay on the calendar, providing thrilling finishes and unforgettable moments across nearly three decades.

Christian Eckes, driver of the #19 Gates Hydraulics Chevrolet, Nick Sanchez, driver of the #2 Gainbridge Chevrolet, and Kyle Busch, driver of the #7 Realtree Chevrolet, race during the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series SpeedyCash.com 250 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 12, 2024 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

This weekend’s race also kicks off the longest stretch of consecutive races in the 2025 Truck Series schedule – six straight weekends of action culminating in Michigan during the first week of June. With momentum, consistency, and endurance all becoming key factors, this stretch could define the championship battle.

Texas is the third of five 1.5-mile tracks on the 2025 calendar, following Homestead and Las Vegas. The remaining two – Kansas and Charlotte – will round out what is often considered the heart of the Truck Series’ intermediate-track season. These tracks play a critical role in separating the contenders from the pretenders.

No driver has managed to dominate Texas in recent years. In fact, the last five Truck Series races at Texas have produced five different winners. Adding to the drama, five of the last six races here have seen the winning pass occur with nine laps or fewer remaining, including two races with last-lap passes for the win.

Texas is tied with Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (Mosport) for the most last-lap passes for victory among non-drafting tracks in Truck Series history with four. That stat underscores just how unpredictable – and exciting—races at Texas have become.

Carson Hocevar, driver of the #42 Worldwide Express Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series SpeedyCash.com 250 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 01, 2023 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

The track has also been a launchpad for new talent. Six drivers earned their first career Truck Series victory at Texas, most recently Carson Hocevar on April 1, 2023. It’s a place where up-and-comers can make a name for themselves – and where veterans must stay on high alert.

Two former Texas winners will be in the field this weekend: Matt Crafton, who won back-to-back races in 2014 and 2015, and Stewart Friesen, who captured a win here in 2022. Both are running full-time this season and looking to add another Lone Star trophy to their collections.

Statistically, leading laps has been crucial at Texas – six of the last eight Truck Series races here have been won by the driver who led the most laps. That trend could favor Corey Heim, who has led more laps than any other driver this season.

Heim has quietly built an impressive Texas résumé, boasting an average finish of 5.3 in three starts – the best among active drivers. Though he has yet to win at the track, his runner-up finish in 2024 and consistent front-running pace make him a heavy favorite heading into Saturday’s race.

Corey Heim, driver of the #11 Safelite Toyota, races Chandler Smith, driver of the #38 QuickTie Ford, during the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Weather Guard Truck Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on April 11, 2025 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

Following last weekend’s event at Rockingham, Heim leads the Truck Series points standings by 22 over Chandler Smith and 62 over third-place Tyler Ankrum. Heim has held the points lead for four consecutive races and is the only driver to lead laps in all seven events this year.

Heim’s dominance is more than just statistical. He’s also leading the series in stage wins with four and has led 346 laps – nearly twice that of his closest rival, Chandler Smith (187). Yet, despite leading the most laps in four of the last five races, he’s only converted one into a win, leaving the door open for others to capitalize.

Tyler Ankrum enters Texas on a hot streak, with six straight top-10 finishes including four straight top-fives and a win at Rockingham that snapped a 130-race winless streak—the longest in series history. Ankrum, along with Heim, Smith, Grant Enfinger, and Layne Riggs, has finished top-10 in both prior 1.5-mile races this season.

Four drivers are currently riding streaks of three or more top-10 finishes: Ankrum (6), Heim (5), Jake Garcia (4), and Rajah Caruth (3). Daniel Hemric remains the only driver to complete every lap this season – an impressive feat of consistency and survival through the chaotic first seven races.

Rajah Caruth, driver of the #71 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, races during the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Weather Guard Truck Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on April 11, 2025 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

Remarkably, the series has seen 21 consecutive races go the full scheduled distance without an overtime finish – the longest such streak in Truck Series history. The last overtime event was at Darlington in May 2024. If Texas follows that trend, expect the late-race action to come with high stakes and little room for error.

In 2025, the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series has delivered one of the most competitive starts in its history. Six different winners in the first seven races match the second-highest total ever. With 105 lead changes, 58 different race leaders, and 28 drivers leading at least one lap, the parity has been unmatched.

As the trucks roll into Texas, Ford is still looking for its first win of the year. The Blue Oval camp didn’t score a victory until the 15th race in 2024, and has gone winless at Texas for the last 45 races – a drought dating back to Greg Biffle’s win in June 2000.

NCTS qualifying was canceled on Friday due to rain. The starting grid will be determined by the current point standings. The Speedycash.com 250 begins at 7 p.m. and will air on TV: FS1 | Radio: MRN, SiriusXM (Ch. 90).