During the 14th round of the NASCAR Truck Series season, officials made a controversial mid-race rule change during the event at Pocono Raceway. The race, already dramatic due to the inclement weather, saw an unexpected change in how laps were counted, leading to a victory for Corey Heim.
As the race neared its conclusion, with only eight laps remaining, a red flag saw the action come to a close due to adverse weather conditions. The drivers returned to the race under caution, but only two laps later, another stoppage followed. Initially, NASCAR’s decision was not to include these caution laps in the overall count. However, officials later declared that these laps would indeed count, effectively reducing the race to a mere six laps before its final conclusion.
NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks shared an update to social media (below), stating :
“Trucks have now been brought to pit road and the red flag has been displayed.
“NASCAR has informed teams that if the race cannot reach the advertised distance, its conclusion time today will be 8:20 p.m. ET.”
Trucks have now been brought to pit road and the red flag has been displayed.
NASCAR has informed teams that if the race cannot reach the advertised distance, its conclusion time today will be 8:20 p.m. ET. https://t.co/cCKP2ODJE3
— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) July 12, 2024
This decision led to a whirlwind final sprint to the finish. The race continued fiercely with just four intense laps left, wherein Corey Heim seized the opportunity to claim the win. Impressively, at just 22 years and 7 days old, his win at Pocono marked him as the youngest driver ever to achieve 10 wins in the history of the NASCAR Truck Series.
Heim has now closed the gap on the championship leader, Christian Eckes, now trailing by just 32 points. With the series moving on to the next round at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park on July 19, this win provides Heim with momentum and a tighter grip on the ongoing championship race.
Motorsport reporter Jeff Gluck posted to social media (below), stating:
“Alright, well, NASCAR just told drivers to get back into their trucks. So it’s not over yet. Still eight laps left because they didn’t count leaving pit road earlier. Clock currently at 43 minutes to go.”
He then updated his followers later on, writing:
“UPDATE: NASCAR just changed ruling. Those caution laps DID count and now they say there are only six laps to go.
“To clarify, there were eight laps to go on the first red flag. They left pit road and went back under caution. NASCAR then said those laps did not count and put the lap count back to eight during the second red flag. Then they said those laps DID count and there are six to go.”
Alright, well, NASCAR just told drivers to get back into their trucks. So it’s not over yet. Still eight laps left because they didn’t count leaving pit road earlier. Clock currently at 43 minutes to go.
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) July 12, 2024
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