Tag: Ty Majeski

Majeski finally finds Truck Series victory lane again at IRP

Ty Majeski’s victory in Friday night’s TSport 200 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park wasn’t the sort of dominating performance he enjoyed last year-until the final stage of the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race. He overcame a restart violation …

Ty Majeski’s victory in Friday night’s TSport 200 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park wasn’t the sort of dominating performance he enjoyed last year—until the final stage of the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race.

He overcame a restart violation on lap 50 that sent him to the rear of the field but rallied to defend his 2023 victory at the 0.686-mile short track. The driver of the No. 98 ThorSport Racing Ford earned his first victory of the season and the fourth of his career.

Majeski, who swept the stages and led 179 laps in last year’s win, was penalized for jumping the restart after the first caution of the race for Ty Dillon’s spin in Turn 3 on lap 43. He scored no points in Stage 1, but by the time the second stage ended, Majeski had charged to third.

Sixteen laps after the restart for the final stage, Majeski took the lead for the first time, using the lapped truck of Thad Moffitt as a pick and charging past Eckes through Turns 1 and 2.

 

The Seymour, Wisconsin, driver led the final 56 of 200 laps and took the checkered flag 4.129s ahead of Eckes.

“It’s huge,” Majeski said. “Obviously, I made a little bit of a mistake. It was probably a little bit of a close call on that restart. I had to pony up and get it back. Obviously, when you make a mistake as a driver, you drive a little bit harder to make up for it, but these guys had my back—awesome pit stops.

“It’s been an up-and-down year. We’ve had the speed to win. Just haven’t been able to put it together, had some bad luck along the way, some of it self-inflicted. But, man, so proud of this Road Ranger group.”

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Grant Enfinger finished third after leading 71 laps. Tyler Ankrum was fourth, followed by Layne Riggs, Sammy Smith, Luke Fenhaus, pole winner Rajah Caruth, Dean Thompson and Nick Sanchez.

Fenhaus’ seventh-place result was his best in three Truck Series starts.

By the time he took the checkered flag, Majeski already had clinched a Playoff spot on points, leaving three berths still available in the postseason, with the Aug. 10 race at Richmond left to decide the final Playoff grid.

With a 20th-place finish on Friday, Tanner Gray took over the 10th and final Playoff-eligible position from Daniel Dye, who came home 27th after an unscheduled pit stop on lap 81. Dye trails Gray by five points entering the last regular-season race.

Five-time race winner Corey Heim finished 17th, a lap down, after contact from Eckes’ No. 19 Chevrolet cut his left-front tire and forced him to the pits under caution on lap 88. Forced to use his last set of tires prematurely, Heim finished second in Stage 2 on the fresh rubber but faded in the final stage.

“I just misjudged the straightaway,” said Eckes, who led a race-high 73 laps. “He’s got every right to be mad.”

Eckes retained the series lead by 50 points over second-place Heim.

RESULTS

3 options for Kaulig Racing’s No. 16 Cup car for the 2024 season

Kaulig Racing might need a new driver for the No. 16 Cup car during the 2024 NASCAR season so here are three options that make sense.

Kaulig Racing announced last month that Daniel Hemric will drive the No. 31 Cup car on a full-time basis starting in 2023. However, there is another question involving Kaulig Racing’s future as A.J. Allmendinger’s status in the No. 16 car is unknown. So, which three drivers would represent a good option for the NASCAR organization if it is not Allmendinger?

[autotag]Chandler Smith[/autotag] would be the most logical option since other drivers, such as Zane Smith, are off the table. Smith drives for Kaulig Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and has one win at Richmond Raceway during his rookie season. The driver of the No. 16 Xfinity car may not be fully ready but he would likely represent the best internal option for the race team.

If not Smith, former Legacy Motor Club driver [autotag]Noah Gragson[/autotag] would be a good selection as well. Gragson was suspended for liking an offensive social media post in August but has been reinstated for some time now. The former NASCAR driver has run for Kaulig Racing in the past and could rebuild his career with an organization that would help him grow as a person.

Finally, [autotag]Ty Majeski[/autotag] would be an out-of-the-box idea that could make sense for the organization. Majeski has run well at ThorSport Racing in the NASCAR Truck Series and could be looking for an upgrade sooner rather than later. The driver of the No. 98 truck may not have any Cup Series experience but he could be a great addition down the line.

Overall, Smith, Gragson, and Majeski are all great options for Kaulig Racing. It will depend on whether Allmendinger returns to the No. 16 Cup car or not but with options dwindling, an answer should be coming soon. Kaulig Racing is looking to grow its footprint in NASCAR and any of these drivers would help accomplish that goal.

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Ty Majeski receives big penalty following Truck Series race at Milwaukee

ThorSport Racing driver Ty Majeski received a big penalty following the NASCAR Truck Series race at the Milwaukee Mile.

[autotag]Ty Majeski[/autotag] and the No. 98 team exited inspection on Sunday morning likely knowing that something major was coming their way from NASCAR. This was due to a confiscated right rear wheel which caused the sport to eject crew chief Joe Shear, disallow Majeski’s ability to qualify, and make the No. 98 truck serve a pass-through penalty at the Milwaukee Mile. Now, another penalty has been handed down.

NASCAR announced on Tuesday evening that Majeski would be docked 75 driver points and five playoff points while the team faced a 75 owner-point deduction. Shear was also fined $25,000 and suspended for the next four Truck Series races. Majeski will still advance to the Round of 8 due to his victory at Lucas Oil Raceway.

However, the No. 98 team will not have the 75 owner and driver point penalty translate to the Round of 8. The only effect on the current playoff picture is the five playoff points taken away from Majeski. It may not be as impactful to the playoff standings but if Majeski fails to make the Championship 4, it will start to show.

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ThorSport Racing could face significant penalties following Milwaukee

ThorSport Racing could face big penalties after the confiscation of a rear tire before the NASCAR Truck Series race at the Milwaukee Mile.

[autotag]ThorSport Racing[/autotag] entered Milwaukee Mile with a semi-comfortable situation due to their performances at Lucas Oil Raceway to start out the Round of 10. [autotag]Ty Majeski[/autotag] already clinched a spot in the Round of 8 after winning the event while Ben Rhodes and Matt Crafton hovered around the playoff cut-line. However, very major news hit the NASCAR world on Sunday morning.

According to NASCAR, the No. 98 truck driven by Majeski failed inspection on Sunday morning and had several consequences. NASCAR confiscated the right rear tire, ejected crew chief Joe Shear, didn’t allow Majeski to qualify, and made him perform a pass-through penalty to start the event. Any additional penalties will be announced this week.

It was a massive blow to ThorSport Racing and one that could greatly affect the No. 98 team. NASCAR could take away playoff points and cause a situation where Majeski making the Championship 4 becomes more difficult. As for the other drivers, such as Carson Hocevar, they were happy to see the news of Majeski’s inspection failure.

“The No. 98 truck (Ty Majeski) got their superpower taken away and we can all race again,” Hocevar said.

That is a major statement to make and one that will come to fruition again sometime during the week. Majeski may have made the Round of 8 but depending on what happens with the team this week, the round itself might become way more difficult than previously anticipated.

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Stewart-Haas Racing should target these drivers for the No. 10 car in 2024

Stewart-Haas Racing may have to replace Aric Almirola if he retires from NASCAR. If so, the race team should target these drivers for 2024.

[autotag]Stewart-Haas Racing[/autotag] is already faced with the reality of Kevin Harvick leaving the organization and another NASCAR Cup Series driver may follow suit. Aric Almirola, the driver of the No. 10 car, has a “very high chance” of retiring from the sport at the conclusion of the 2023 season. If so, which drivers would make sense for the race team?

[autotag]Zane Smith[/autotag] is the natural target and one that has previously been covered. Smith, the defending NASCAR Truck Series champion, is allowed to pursue other opportunities after Front Row Motorsports failed to promote him to the Cup Series. If young, pure talent is the organization’s priority, Smith would be the perfect fit as Almirola’s replacement in the No. 10 car.

If Smith is not a viable option due to sponsorship, Stewart-Haas Racing has [autotag]Riley Herbst[/autotag], a NASCAR Xfinity Series driver for the organization, in the pipeline. Herbst carries sponsorship from Monster Energy and would be able to fill the hole that Smithfield Foods may dig. The Las Vegas native has cooled down after a hot start to the season; however, it would be a worthy consideration due to the financial aspect.

Finally, there is an out-of-the-box idea that would make sense for Stewart-Haas Racing. What about ThorSport Racing driver [autotag]Ty Majeski[/autotag]? The driver of the No. 98 truck has dominated the last two races with first and second-place finishes. Majeski likely represents the second-best driver in the Ford pipeline without full-time experience in the Cup Series. It would be an unexpected move but one that would make sense if talent is the priority.

Either way, the No. 10 car for Stewart-Haas Racing represents the best ride open in NASCAR silly season if Almirola retires at the end of the year. The organization needs to rebuild its driver lineup and any of these drivers would be a good addition to the team.

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Majeski dominates in Trucks at IRP

Winless this season before Friday night’s TSport 200 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, Majseki put an old-fashioned beating on the rest of the field in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series playoff opener. The driver of the No. 98 ThorSport Racing …

Winless this season before Friday night’s TSport 200 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, Majseki put an old-fashioned beating on the rest of the field in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series playoff opener.

The driver of the No. 98 ThorSport Racing Ford cemented a spot in the Round of 8 in dominating fashion, leading 179 of 200 laps, sweeping the first two stages of the race and beating pole winner and runner-up Christian Eckes to the finish line by 3.422s.

That was the smallest margin Majeski held at the end of any stage. He held a 3.904-second advantage over eventual eighth-place finisher Corey Heim at the finish of Stage 1. He was up by six seconds over Heim before the second stage ended under caution for Chris Hacker’s spin on the backstretch.

Clearly, the short-track ace was in his element at the 0.686-mile speedway.

“I’m proud of the effort, but this is just the start of our playoff run,” said Majeski, who failed to win with the fastest truck two weekends ago at Richmond.

In that race, Majeski sped on pit road, and his team failed to cover a late green-flag pit stop by race winner Carson Hocevar. In contrast, the effort of the entire No. 98 team was impeccable on Friday night.

“Mistakes really cost us (at Richmond),” Majeski said. “We learned from those. Obviously, tonight we were in a really similar situation, and we were able to execute on all fronts. The pit crew was great, (crew chief) Joe (Shear Jr.) made great calls, and I felt like I executed pretty good on the restarts.

“We put it all together as a race team tonight, and I’m pretty proud of that.”

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Hocevar came home fourth behind non-playoff driver Layne Riggs. Reigning series champion Zane Smith was fifth after starting from the rear of the field because of unapproved adjustments to his No. 38 Ford.

William Sawalich was a career-best sixth in his fourth Truck Series start, followed by fellow non-playoff driver Rajah Caruth. Heim, in eighth, was penalized for too many men over the wall late in the race. Three-time series champion Matt Crafton and Matt DiBenedetto completed the top 10.

The race also was a triumph for another driver who never led a lap and finished 19th in the first car one lap down. Shane van Gisbergen, who took the NASCAR world by storm by winning the Chicago Street Race in his only Cup start, avoided all trouble and got plenty of seat time in his first trip around an oval.

“It was awesome,” said the New Zealander. “With 10 to go, I finally dropped off the lead lap. “I had a ball. It was awesome racing with people, a lot of fun… I’m living the dream, it was really cool, and everyone was respectful. It was awesome.”

Heim, the regular-season champion, retained the series lead by three points over Majeski.

After the next two races — at the Milwaukee Mile (Aug. 27) and Kansas Speedway (Sept. 8) — the playoff field will be cut from 10 drivers to eight. The two drivers currently below the cut line are Crafton and DiBenedetto, who trail eighth place Nick Sanchez by two points and three points respectively.

RESULTS

Ty Majeski dominates Truck race at Lucas Oil, clinches spot in Round of 8

Ty Majeski wins the TSport 200 at Lucas Oil Raceway in the opening race of the 2023 NASCAR Truck Series playoffs.

[autotag]Ty Majeski[/autotag] took home the NASCAR Truck Series playoff opener at Lucas Oil Raceway and it was in dominant fashion. Majeski led a career-high 179 laps and swept the race for a total of seven playoff points. It was an almost flawless night after coming up short at Richmond Raceway in the regular season finale two weekends ago.

The ThorSport Racing driver had the best truck the entire night and closed out the event with an almost four-second advantage over Christian Eckes and Layne Riggs. Majeski entered the 2023 playoffs with no victories but had speed the entire season. Now, he will carry at least 21 playoff points into the Round of 8.

There are now two races left in the Round of 10 at the Milwaukee Mile and Kansas. Majeski should be very fast at both events; however, he won’t have to worry about points due to one of the most dominant wins of the 2023 Truck Series season.

TSport 200 top-10 finishing order:

  1. No. 98 Ty Majeski
  2. No. 19 Christian Eckes
  3. No. 7 Layne Riggs
  4. No. 42 Carson Hocevar
  5. No. 38 Zane Smith
  6. No. 1 William Sawalich
  7. No. 24 Rajah Caruth
  8. No. 11 Corey Heim
  9. No. 88 Matt Crafton
  10. No. 25 Matt DiBenedetto