The NASCAR Truck Series returns from a two-week break to run the Heart of America 200 at Kansas Speedway. Here is everything you need to know before the green flag drops on Saturday.
The 2022 Heart of America saw Zane Smith get his third win of the year. Smith led 108 of 134 laps, a truly dominating performance. Corey Heim had another impressive race here, leading 18 laps and winning stage one. The race did not see many cautions, just the stage break and two spins, one from Kris Wright and one from Dean Thompson.
This year’s running of the race will see some notable entries. They are:
- Toni Breidinger, #1 Toyota Tundra, TRICON Garage
- Johnny Sauter, #04 Ford F150, Roper Racing
- Nick Leitz, #20 Chevrolet Silverado, Young’s Motorsport
- Ross Chastain, #41 Chevrolet Silverado, Niece Motorsports
- Kyle Busch, #51 Chevrolet Silverado, Kyle Busch Motorsports
- Justin Carroll, #90 Toyota Tundra, Carroll Motorsports
Breidinger will be making her first start in the Craftsman Truck Series. She will be the first Arab-American woman to race in the NASCAR Truck Series. Toni currently drives the #55 Camry in ARCA and will be driving both races on Saturday. She joins Hailie Deegan as the two sole female drivers in the Truck Series. Breidinger has won 19 times in a USAC Asphalt Midget and finished 6th in the ARCA championship last year.
a dream come true to be racing the No. 1 Victoria's Secret Toyota Tundra TRD Pro at Kansas. thank you a million times @VictoriasSecret @TRICONGarage @ToyotaRacing for the opportunity pic.twitter.com/AdfqvxXeQl
— Toni Breidinger (@ToniBreidinger) April 26, 2023
The Track:
Kansas Speedway, built in 1999, is a 1.5 mile oval with between 17-20 degrees of banking in the corners and 9 to 11 degrees on the front stretch. It first played host to the trucks in 2001 with Ricky Hendrick, the late son of Rick Hendrick, winning the first race. Other notable drivers in that field were Coy Gibbs, the late son of Joe Gibbs and father of Ty Gibbs, Willy T. Ribbs, and Matt Crafton. It has played host to twenty-five races since 2001.
Predictions
Zane Smith and the #38 team always unload with race-winning speed and, as defending race winners, look for that F150 to be out front on Saturday. Corey Heim won a rain-shortened Martinsville race, and the most recent ARCA race at Kansas. I think he will have the fastest Toyota in the field. Kyle Busch and KBM are always fast, and Busch took the checkered flag at Las Vegas, another 1.5-mile track. I think he is capable of getting win number two here. Nick Sanchez has had incredibly fast trucks this season, and won the ARCA race here last year. I think he might be able to get his first Craftsman Truck Series win here.
How to Watch:
- Saturday, May 6th
