Honeycutt Delivers When It Matters Most
Kaden Honeycutt responded to last week’s heartbreaking defeat with a statement victory Friday night, winning the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Phoenix Raceway. Driving the No. 11 Toyota for TRICON Garage, Honeycutt controlled the closing stage and secured his fourth career Truck Series victory in the Zero Carbon Bioethanol 150.
The win was especially important for Honeycutt after Layne Riggs passed him late to win at Charlotte Motor Speedway the previous week. This time, Honeycutt made sure there would be no late race heartbreak, holding off Christian Eckes and Riggs to reach Victory Lane.
Honeycutt’s victory also strengthened his position in the championship battle, as he extended his unofficial points advantage over Riggs to 39 points with the postseason continuing to heat up.
Ty Majeski Controls the Early Stages
Although Honeycutt ultimately claimed the victory, Ty Majeski was one of the strongest drivers throughout the opening portions of the race.
Majeski won both stages, demonstrating impressive speed and putting himself in position to challenge for the win. Riggs also showed plenty of pace, leading 43 laps after starting from the pole.
However, Honeycutt saved his strongest performance for the closing stage. He led every green-flag lap during the final segment, allowing him to control the race and keep his challengers from making a decisive move.
Eckes finished second, 1.556 seconds behind Honeycutt, while Riggs settled for third. Majeski finished fourth, and Jake Garcia rounded out the top five.
Championship Battle Heats Up
The victory gives Honeycutt valuable breathing room in the Truck Series Chase standings. After losing to Riggs at Charlotte, he responded with a performance that showed his ability to handle the pressure of the championship fight.
Riggs remains one of his biggest threats, but the 39-point gap gives Honeycutt an important advantage heading into the next round.
The race also demonstrated how quickly the championship picture can change during the postseason. With several races remaining, consistency and avoiding costly mistakes will be crucial for every contender.
Talladega Comes Next
Honeycutt and the rest of the Truck Series field will now turn their attention to Talladega Superspeedway next Friday.
The high-speed superspeedway presents a completely different challenge from Phoenix, where track position and clean execution were essential. Honeycutt will look to carry his momentum into the next race and protect his championship lead.
After the disappointment at Charlotte, Honeycutt delivered the response he needed. His Phoenix victory puts him in a stronger position as the fight for the 2026 Truck Series championship continues.