NASCAR: Ruggiero Wins Talladega Truck Race As Benning’s Chevy Burns
Gio Ruggiero didn’t make the NASCAR Truck Series Playoffs but he just won a playoffs race.
The rookie Tricon Garage driver held off his teammate Corey Heim in overtime to win the Love’s RV Stop 225 at Talladega Superspeedway on Friday night. Ruggiero started on pole and won Stage 2, leading 37 of 90 laps on the day.
It was Ruggiero’s first career win and denied any of the remaining playoffs drivers the opportunity to lock themselves into the Championship 4 with a victory. Heim already did that in at the previous race on the Charlotte Roval.
“Super thankful all the guys on this 17 truck, they worked their butts off today and definitely brought the best piece today,” Ruggiero said during his front stretch interview after the race. “We showed it in qualifying and throughout the race there that we had the fastest piece. Thanks to Toyota and everybody who supports me. Great to win a race with my mom and dad here.”
Playoffs driver Ty Majeski finished third ahead of Dawson Sutton and Layne Riggs, who started the race at the back of the pack after his team was penalized for making an unapproved adjustment to the vehicle after the pre-race inspection.
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The most dramatic moment of the race came on Lap 65 when the Chevrolet of 73-year-old Norm Benning blew its engine and caught fire. He suffered from smoke inhalation and said he needs some additional treatment, but plans to race at Martinsville next week.
“I’ve never got out of a race car so fast in my life,” Benning told Fox Sports reporter Bob Pockrass. “My whole right side feels like I got sunburned.”
Heim, Rajah Caruth, Tyler Ankrum and Kaden Honeycutt remain above the cutline heading into the final Round of 8 race at Martinsville, while Majeski (-5), Riggs (-6), Daniel Hemric (-32) and Grant Enfinger (-40) will be looking for big results for a shot to run for the championship in Phoenix.