Ankrum Cranks Out Top-10 at MIS

Venue: Michigan International Speedway

FINISH: 10th

Start: 13th

NCTS Point Standings Position: 8th

Tyler Ankrum, driver of the No. 18 LIUNA Chevrolet records a solid day at Michigan International Speedway for the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) Saturday afternoon event. The young driver started his day out by setting the No.18 Chevrolet 13th in line to start the 150-lap event. Ankrum started his charge to the front until a quick caution came out on lap 6 that allowed him to report to his team he was battling loose conditions in dirty air. Crew chief Mark Hillman called him down pit road under yellow for a trackbar and wedge adjustment along with four tires and fuel. The San Bernardino, Calif. native battled it out to end Stage One 19th. Still struggling with loose conditions, Ankrum asked to be tightened up under the stage break where he got a quick air pressure and trackbar adjustment with a fresh set of Goodyear tires and fuel. Due to the speedy stop, the young driver was able to gain one spot on pit road.

Restarting in the 16th position on the top, Ankrum continued his fight forward. A quiet Stage Two led Ankrum to test the lanes with spotter Eddie D’Hondt and he rounded out an 18th-place Stage Two finish. The young driver reported to the team that he was struggling with aero loose conditions and could not run well in dirty air still. Hillman (Mark, crew chief) brought the No.18 truck down pit road for an adjustment on the right-rear jack bolt with four tires and fuel in attempt to adjust the handling on that race truck. The young driver rolled off pit road 16th in the pack to restart the final laps at Michigan International Speedway (MIS).

A quick caution on the restart of the final stage opened up a gaggle of cautions to follow. Ankrum continued to battle loose conditions under dirty air along with fighting his way to the front, gaining track position when he could. Through more cautions and a quick stop, the young driver was able to roll back into the top-10 for a 10th-place finish in the DQS Staffing & Solutions 250 at MIS. This afternoon’s stout finish allows Ankrum to hold the 8th position in the NCTS driver point standings.

Tyler Ankrum Quote:

“Solid day today for this No. 18 group. Really proud of everyone on the box and on pit road for an outstanding effort. We are making gains as a group and it is really starting to show in these results. Huge thanks to LIUNA and Chevrolet for the support as always and I am looking forward to the off week to regroup and get ready for San Diego.”