A great day of qualifying for Spire Motorsports didn’t quite show up in the race, as Corey Day captured his first career Truck Series pole. The Ecosave 200 at Las Vegas was ready to be yet another exciting 1.5-mile race for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. The weather radar showed nothing, but Mother Nature had plenty to say during this race. Corey Heim also had some big plans, despite early issues.
This race has always put on a great show, and that was no different, even with all the weather interruptions.
Corey Heim Highlights Rain-Filled NASCAR Truck Series Ecosave 200 at Las Vegas
The opening stage saw plenty of side-by-side racing as Ty Majeski got his No. 98 truck to the race lead early on. Majeski, Corey Day, and Tyler Ankrum put on a great show in the races’ first 20-plus laps. It certainly showcased how exciting the racing is in Las Vegas.
Watching these guys battle for the lead has been something else. pic.twitter.com/9WZzHCjvud
— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) March 15, 2025
It was right around 29 laps into the race and with about five laps remaining in the opening stage when the skies opened up. Rain showed up suddenly, while Majeski was able to capture the stage one win. The rain picked up, and it was enough to bring the trucks to the pits at lap 35.
Trucks have been brought to pit road due to rain at @LVMotorSpeedway.
The red flag is out on Lap 35. pic.twitter.com/X59EIgK4vn
— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) March 15, 2025
Rain Delay Brings About Controversy
It was during the rain delay that some cameras caught the No. 88 team of Matt Crafton messing around with the truck during the red flag. That’s a big no-no. Despite Crafton trying to plead his case, his team didn’t do anything. Fox Sports’ Bob Pockrass confirmed that NASCAR had video and photo evidence of the team touching something at the front of the truck during the red flag.
Following the controversial incident during the stoppage, Crafton was sent to the rear when the Trucks went back to green. When they were able to get back going, Tyler Ankrum showed up, and he got some very important stage points as he was able to win the stage.
From NASCAR on why they called a penalty on the 88 https://t.co/AF7YGkeKL1
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) March 15, 2025
Despite More Weather, NASCAR Doesn’t Call Race
The racing picked up during the closing 50 or so laps, as the weather once again returned to the track. It sure looked like Corey Heim was going to luck out once again when the rain returned. But luck would have it that the precipitation would move out of the area. So the Truckers went back green. That was a great choice by NASCAR to let it play out, and we were rewarded with some fun and intense battles throughout the field.
Despite plenty of speed in qualifying and early on in the race, the likes of Ankrum, Day, and several other of the top Chevy drivers had incidents that ended strong days.
"WHERE DID HE COME FROM?!?" #NASCARonFS1 pic.twitter.com/YTgzl12til
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 15, 2025
Fun restarts and some crazy moves highlighted the final 40 laps of the event. From Stewart Friesen making moves to one of the craziest saves I’ve ever seen by Layne Riggs. The Ecosave 200 did not disappoint.
HEIM TIME IN VEGAS. 🎰🏁 Corey Heim is your NASCAR Truck Series winner! #NASCARonFS1 https://t.co/yheo3f8LRh pic.twitter.com/iQktLDV7vy
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 15, 2025
Corey Heim once again showcased his talent en route to his 13th-career Truck Series win. It’s Heim time for sure these days. This kid has talent and fight. He could’ve backed down following a speeding penalty early in the race, but he never gave up.
READ NEXT: Corey Heim Becomes 23XI Racing’s First Development Driver
Featured Image Credit: Jonathan Bachman, Getty Images. 3/15/2025
