Christian Eckes won the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series final race as Ben Rhodes won the Series Championship

This was an exciting race with lots of 4-6 wide, cautions, re-starts, & extra laps. Starting from 8th place Truck 19 Christian Eckes NAPA Auto Care Chevrolet won the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series final race of the season for his 5th win in 91 Series races. This is his 4th win & 13th Top 10 finish in 2023. This is his 1st win & 4th Top 10 finish in 5 races at Phoenix Raceway. 2nd Place Truck 35 Jake Garcia Quanta Services Chevrolet, started from 14th place posted his 1st Top 10 finish in 2 races at Phoenix Raceway. It is his 9th Top 10 finish in 2023. Jake Garcia was the highest finishing rookie. 3rd Place Truck 4 Chase Purdy Bama Buggies Chevrolet, started from 5th place posted his 1st Top 10 finish in 4 races at Phoenix Raceway.

AVONDALE, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 03: Christian Eckes, driver of the #19 NAPA Auto Care Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Craftsman 150 at Phoenix Raceway on November 03, 2023 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Credit: AVONDALE, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 03: Christian Eckes, driver of the #19 NAPA Auto Care Chevrolet, takes the checkered flag to win the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Craftsman 150 at Phoenix Raceway on November 03, 2023 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

4th Place Truck 1 Jesse Love HomeSmiles Toyota, started from 10th place followed by 5th place Truck 99 Ben Rhodes Kubota Ford, started from 6th place won the 2023 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Championship. This is his 2nd NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Championship. 6th Place Truck 23 Grant Enfinger Champion Power Equipment Chevrolet, started from 17th place followed by 7th place Truck 5 Dean Thompson Thompson Pipe Group Toyota, started from 15th place. 8th Place Truck 02 Kaden Honeycutt RANDCO Industries Chevrolet, started from 27th place followed by 9th place Truck 15 Tanner Gray Cometic/Factory Canopies Toyota, started from 25th place. Lastly in the Top 10 was Truck 2 Nick Sanchez Gainbridge Chevrolet. in 10th place, started from 3rd place. Nick Sanchez wins the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors. Canadian Truck 52 Stewart Friesen Halmar International Toyota finished in 24th place. Chevrolet has won the 2023 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Manufacturer’s Championship.

AVONDALE, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 03: Ben Rhodes, driver of the #99 Kubota Ford, celebrates in victory lane after winning the 2023 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship, finishing first of the Championship 4 drivers in NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Craftsman 150 at Phoenix Raceway on November 03, 2023 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
AVONDALE, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 03: Ben Rhodes, driver of the #99 Kubota Ford, crosses the finish line to win the 2023 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship finishing first of the Championship 4 drivers in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Craftsman 150 at Phoenix Raceway on November 03, 2023 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Championship Fast Facts
Provided by NASCAR Statistics – Friday, November 3, 2023
Driver Champion: Ben Rhodes
Team: No. 99 ThorSport Racing Ford
 Ben Rhodes has won his second NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship becoming the fifth driver in series history to win multiple titles; joining NASCAR Hall of Famer Ron Hornaday Jr. (2009, ’07, ’98, ‘96), Jack Sprague (2001, ’99, ’97), Todd Bodine (2010, ’06) and his ThorSport Racing teammate Matt Crafton (2013, 2014, 2019).
ï‚· Rhodes is one of 20 different drivers to win the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series championship all-time.
ï‚· Rhodes finished fifth the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck season finale at Phoenix Raceway to win the title.
ï‚· Rhodes finished the 2023 season with 23 starts, one win, seven top fives and 14 top 10s.
ï‚· During the Playoffs this season, Rhodes has posted three top fives and four top 10s in seven starts.
ï‚· Rhodes, from Louisville, Kentucky, is the first and only NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series champion from the state of Kentucky.
Owner Champion: Duke and Rhonda Thorson, ThorSport Racing
 This is ThorSport Racing’s fifth all-time NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series driver championship (Matt Crafton, 2013, 2014, 2019; Ben Rhodes, 2021, 2023) – the most driver titles by an organization in the series all-time.
 This is ThorSport Racing’s second NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series owner championship (2021, 2023).
ï‚· ThorSport Racing is one of 16 different organizations to win NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series owner
championship.
 ThorSport Racing has posted 28 wins in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series among seven different drivers – Terry Cook, Matt Crafton, Johnny Sauter, Ben Rhodes, Chase Briscoe, Joey Logano and Ty Majeski.
ï‚· Owners Duke and Rhonda Thorson fielded their first truck in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series with driver
Terry Cook at the Milwaukee Mile Speedway on July 6, 1996.
Crew Chief Champion: Rich Lushes
 This is Rich Lushes’ second career NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series championship (2012, 2023) – both with driver Ben Rhodes.
ï‚· Lushes is one of 23 different crew chiefs to win a NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series championship, and the sixth different crew chief to win multiple titles; joining Carl Joiner (2013, 2014, 2019), Dennis Connor (1997, 1999,
2001), Mike Hillman Jr. (2006, 2010), Rick Ren (2007, 2009) and Ryan ‘Rudy’ Fugle (2015, 2017).
 Lushes has three career NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series victories – all with driver Ben Rhodes.

The race had 12 Cautions for 77 Laps: 1st Caution on lap 6 for #52, 77 Crash in Turn 4. 2nd Caution on lap 47 for Stage 1 Conclusion. 3rd Caution on lap 57 for #7, 30 Crash in Turn 3. 4th Caution on lap 78 for #56 Crash in Turn 2. 5th Caution on lap 92 for Stage 2 Conclusion. 6th Caution on lap 102 for #61, 66 Crash in Turn 3. 7th Caution on lap 121 for #42, 11, 52 Crash in Turn 2. 8th Caution on lap 131 for #25, 41, 43 Crash in Turn 3 [Red Flag: 00:11:45]. 9th Caution on lap 148 for #11, 42, 17 Crash in Turn 2. 10th Caution on lap 157 for #77 Crash int Turn 4. 11th Caution on lap 164 for #99, 38, 51 Crash on the Frontstretch. 12th Caution on lap 171 for #1, 98, 88, 38, 56 Crash on the Frontstretch.

AVONDALE, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 03: Zane Smith, driver of the #38 Speedco/Delo Ford, Christian Eckes, driver of the #19 NAPA Auto Care Chevrolet, and Ben Rhodes, driver of the #99 Kubota Ford, lead the field to a restart during the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Craftsman 150 at Phoenix Raceway on November 03, 2023 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

The race had 10 Lead Changes among 6 drivers; T. Majeski 1-48; C. Heim (P) 49-95; C. Eckes 96-121; N. Sanchez # 122-126; Z. Smith 127-154; C. Eckes 155; Z. Smith 156-162; C. Eckes 163-168; C. Purdy 169-176; C. Eckes 177-179.

AVONDALE, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 03: Ben Rhodes, driver of the #99 Kubota Ford, and Chase Purdy, driver of the #4 Bama Buggies Chevrolet, race during the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Craftsman 150 at Phoenix Raceway on November 03, 2023 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

Stages:
Stage 1 Top 10: 98, 11, 38, 99, 2, 4, 19, 42, 23, 17
Stage 2 Top 10: 11, 38, 98, 19, 17, 99, 4, 23, 35, 42

AVONDALE, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 03: Carson Hocevar, driver of the #42 Worldwide Express Chevrolet, and Corey Heim, driver of the #11 Safelite Toyota, race during the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Craftsman 150 at Phoenix Raceway on November 03, 2023 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
AVONDALE, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 03: Christian Eckes, driver of the #19 NAPA Auto Care Chevrolet, crosses the finish line to win the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Craftsman 150 at Phoenix Raceway on November 03, 2023 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Race Number 23
Race Results for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship – Friday, November 3, 2023
Phoenix Raceway – Avondale, AZ – 1. – Mile Paved
Total Race Length – 179 Laps – 179. Miles
Provided by NASCAR Statistics – Saturday, 11/4/2023 @ 12:59 AM Eastern

Finish Start Truck Team Laps Status

1. 8. Truck 19 Christian Eckes NAPA Auto Care Chevrolet 179 Running 2. 14. Truck 35 Jake Garcia # Quanta Services Chevrolet 179 Running 3. 5. Truck 4 Chase Purdy Bama Buggies Chevrolet 179 Running 4. 10. Truck 1 Jesse Love HomeSmiles Toyota 179 Running 5. 6. Truck 99 Ben Rhodes (P) Kubota Ford 179 Running 6. 17. Truck 23 Grant Enfinger (P) Champion Power Equipment Chevrolet 179 Running 7. 15. Truck 5 Dean Thompson Thompson Pipe Group Toyota 179 Running 8. 27. Truck 02 Kaden Honeycutt RANDCO Industries Chevrolet 179 Running 9. 25. Truck 15 Tanner Gray Cometic/Factory Canopies Toyota 179 Running 10. 3. Truck 2 Nick Sanchez # Gainbridge Chevrolet 179 Running 11. 28. Truck 88 Matt Crafton Ideal Door/Menards Ford 179 Running 12. 9. Truck 24 Rajah Caruth # Wendell Scott Foundation Chevrolet 179 Running 13. 31. Truck 45 Lawless Alan AUTOParkit Chevrolet 179 Running 14. 2. Truck 98 Ty Majeski Curb Records/Farm Paint Ford 179 Running 15. 23. Truck 13 Hailie Deegan Pit Boss Ford 179 Running 16. 32. Truck 22 Christian Rose Disability Opportunity Fund Ford 179 Running 17. 34. Truck 04 Spencer Davis Fly Alliance/CarQuest Ford 179 Running 18. 1. Truck 11 Corey Heim (P) Safelite Toyota 179 Running 19. 35. Truck 20 Nick Leitz Precision Measurements Chevrolet 179 Running 20. 36. Truck 56 Tyler Hill Consolidation Coach/UNITS Toyota 179 Running 21. 26. Truck 9 Colby Howard Grant County Mulch Chevrolet 179 Running 22. 19. Truck 16 Tyler Ankrum LiUNA! Toyota 178 Running 23. 12. Truck 17 Taylor Gray # Dead On Tools Toyota 177 Running 24. 20. Truck 52 Stewart Friesen Halmar International Toyota 175 Running – Canadian 25. 4. Truck 38 Zane Smith Speedco/Delo Ford 172 Accident 26. 21. Truck 75 Sean Hingorani Fidelity Capital Chevrolet 167 Accident 27. 7. Truck 51 Jack Wood Rubbin’ is Racing Chevrolet 162 Accident 28. 16. Truck 77 Derek Kraus Western States Flooring Chevrolet 156 Accident 29. 13. Truck 42 Carson Hocevar (P) Worldwide Express Chevrolet 146 Accident 30. 24. Truck 25 Stefan Parsons Rackley Roofing/Millennium Chevrolet 128 Accident 31. 11. Truck 41 Bayley Currey GlobalTranz Chevrolet 128 Accident 32. 22. Truck 43 Daniel Dye # GMS Racing Chevrolet 128 Accident 33. 18. Truck 61 Jake Drew Cyclum Truck Stops Toyota 100 Accident 34. 29. Truck 66 Conner Jones Lung Cancer Awareness Ford 100 Accident 35. 33. Truck 7 Marco Andretti Gainbridge Chevrolet 54 Accident 36. 30. Truck 30 Chris Hacker On Point Motorsports Toyota 53 Accident

Race Comments: Prior to the start of the race, the following vehicle(s) dropped to the rear of the field under penalty for the reason(s) indicated: No. 25 (Backup Truck). Failed to Qualify: (2) 12 Spencer Boyd, 33 Keith McGee. Time of Race: 2 Hrs, 27 Mins, 32 Secs. Average Speed: 72.797 MPH.Margin of Victory: 0.421 Seconds. Caution Flags: 12 for 77 laps. Lead Changes: 10 among 6 drivers.

(i) Ineligible for driver points in this series

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