Trackin’ Trucks: Kaden Honeycutt Wins at Watkins Glen

Credit: Sean Gardner

Kaden Honeycutt earned his first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory on Friday evening at Watkins Glen International. 

Honeycutt took the lead in overtime and earned the win by a 0.902-second margin of victory over Connor Zilisch. Zilisch was racing for Spire Motorsports and led a race-high 28 laps during the Bully Hill Vineyards 176. 

“It’s just amazing,” Honeycutt said, “I can’t believe I just won on a road course. It’s unbelievable.”

Honeycutt earned his first CTS victory hours after winning the ARCA Menards Series race at the 2.45-mile road course. He becomes the second driver to win both an ARCA and Truck Series race on the same day. He joins Sam Mayer, who completed the feat six years ago at Bristol Motor Speedway. 

The victory comes just one week after the driver of the No. 11 Tricon Garage car said it was "unacceptable" that he hadn't figured out how to win in the series. 

Honeycutt had to overcome lost track position when he was forced to restart at the rear of field after pitting when pit road was closed. A few cautions allowed him to make up his positions and contend with the leaders. 

Honeycutt restarted on the front row with Zilisch after a frontstretch accident required an overtime restart in which Gio Ruggiero caught a restart violation. NASCAR Cup Series regular Ross Chastain also was given a restart violation of his own. Chastain was involved in a later crash and finished 28th.

Shane Van Gisbergen, who was piloting the No. 4 for Niece Motorsports, finished third. Daniel Hemric and Chandler Smith rounded out the top-five finishers. 

A.J. Allmendinger finished sixth, Brent Crews seventh, while Mini Tyrrell, Brenden Queen, and Connor Mosack finished eighth through 10th place, respectively. 

A Look Ahead 

The Craftsman Truck Series heads to Dover Motor Speedway on Friday. 

Honeycutt extended his series lead over Smith, now 29 points ahead. Layne Riggs’ 21st-place finish damaged his points standings, even though he remains third, 43 points behind Honeycutt. 

The CTS tackles the Monster Mile on Friday, May 15th at 5 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1.