Ankrum Powers to Top-10 at Lime Rock

Venue: Lime Rock Park

FINISH: 10th

Start: 15th

Laps Led: 0

NCTS Point Standings Position: 7th

Tyler Ankrum, driver of the No. 18 LIUNA Chevrolet put himself in position for a hard-fought 10th-place result at Lime Rock Park for the inaugural NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) event Saturday afternoon in Lakeville, Conn. Ankrum set his No. 18 Chevrolet 15th in line to start the LIUNA 150 in Saturday morning’s qualifying run and held that position for the entirety of Stage One. The young driver came over the radio to report to his team that he was nuclear tight with the handling of his race truck. Due to the change in pit stops this event for a stand-alone race, the team was given three minutes to make changes to their truck. Crew chief Mark Hillman called for four fresh tires, fuel, air pressure and a slight trackbar adjustment that sent Ankrum on his way to start the second stage. 

The San Bernardino, Calif. native dove into Turn 1 trying to gain some spots off the corner but shortly after, settled back in 15th. A quiet Stage Two with zero yellow flags falling led the driver of the No. 18 LIUNA Chevrolet to another 15th-place finish in Stage Two. Ankrum reported he felt he was losing drive off after the first run on that last adjustment and he was super tight in the front of his race truck. The young driver came down pit road under the stage break for four new Goodyear tires, some Sunoco race fuel and a few more adjustments to even back out his truck. 

The green-flag shuffle moved some of the competition around, but Ankrum was able to hold position on the restart. The laps started to wind down as a yellow flag fell on lap 89 as the No. 18 was still nestled in the 15th position. Ankrum reported that he needed more turn and more drive off, but the team decided they were going to stay out and fight for track position. Chaos broke out on the restart with five laps to go and a gaggle of trucks collided heading into Turn 1. The track stayed green and Ankrum was able to push through to the 10th position where he ultimately finished his day in Lakeville. 

Tyler Ankrum Quote:

“Man, this track was super technical but it feels good to be back in the top 10 after the last couple of weeks this team has had. Tough day to gain any track position as this course is just so narrow and super short that you really don’t have the space and time you need to get by people. I knew the final restart was going to get ugly and I am super thankful we came out on the other side of it to snag a top 10. Great day for LIUNA and it was so great to see so many of them here. I wish the No. 18 LIUNA Chevrolet could have met them in Victory Lane but we will get back there soon.”