It’s finally here.
The 2024 Craftsman Truck Series playoffs are upon us.
The 10-driver field was set in the regular-season finale at Richmond Raceway and contains a mix of playoff newbies and playoff regulars.
Four drivers represent the McAnally-Hilgemann Racing fold (counting the technically-aligned CR7 Motorsports), two represent ThorSport Racing, two represent TRICON Garage and two represent the Spire Motorsports fold (counting the technically-aligned Rev Racing).
As a reminder, the Truck Series playoffs is contested throughout seven races – after three races, the bottom two in points will be eliminated, forming the Round of 8. Four more drivers will be eliminated in the next three races; the four remaining will make up the Championship 4.
The highest finisher of those four at Phoenix Raceway will be crowned the 2024 champion.
Want to know who to watch for over the next seven races? You’ve come to the right place. Fortunately, the Truck Series has an off-week before playoff opener at the Milwaukee Mile on Aug. 25. Over the next two weeks, Frontstretch will get you ready for the Truck Series by introducing the 10 candidates for the championship.
This week, let’s meet the top five drivers in order of playoff seeding – coincidentally, these five drivers are the only full-time drivers to win thus far this season.
No. 1 – Corey Heim
Points: 2041
Wins: 5
Best points finish: 4th (2023)
For the second year in a row, Corey Heim enters the playoffs as the top seed and as one of the championship favorites. While he was unable to capture the regular-season championship like last year, his season-leading five wins and multiple stage wins allowed him to accrue tons of playoff points in the first 16 races.
Heim enters the 2024 playoffs looking to close out the championship this time after being spun from the lead last year by Carson Hocevar. A retaliation attempt at the end of the race resulted in a penalty from NASCAR that relegated him to fourth in the final standings, a result not indicative of the incredible season the No. 11 team had.
Heim has had just as good of a season — if not better than last — and is more than capable of avenging his title loss one year ago. However, there is one driver that stands in his way more than most other playoff contenders.
No. 2 – Christian Eckes
Points: 2038
Wins: 3
Best points finish: 5th (2023)
If there is one person who could spoil the party once…
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