NASCAR
Tyler Ankrum Displays Winning Poise; Corey Heim Earns Top NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Drivers’ Title Odds
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He joined the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sportscasting now.
Get to know Jeff Hawkins betterPublished22 Apr 2025
As the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series enters a one-week break, the off time will provide Tyler Ankrum an opportunity to reflect on his comeback effort to claim last Friday’s return to Rockingham Speedway.
Ankrum qualified P16. He struggled with the machine’s handling on the right front and was a lap down by the end of Stage 1 of the 200-lap event.
Following adjustments by crew chief Mark Hillman, Ankrum attempted to get a feel for the No. 18 Chevrolet through the second stage, finishing P22. Receiving the wave-around to start the final stage, Ankrum started his rally, with the spring adjustments aiding his ride through center and exits of the refurbished 0.94-mile track.
Hillman’s gas gamble following a Lap 109 caution period put him back into contention, eventually moving up to P4 with 78 laps remaining.
As the top two machines were forced to pit with 27 rotations to go, Ankrum was in position to claim the lead and roll to his first win in 130 circuit outings.
“This is so unreal,” Ankrum said via press release. “I can’t thank these guys enough for the way this day started and going a lap down, to Mark making the pit call and saving fuel.
“This is pretty crazy.”
With the Truck Series scheduled to return May 2 at Texas Motor Speedway, points leader Corey Heim (+180) remains the sports-betting favorite to earn the drivers’ championship, according to BetOnline Sportsbook. Defending champion Ty Majeski (+350) drew the second-best odds and Chandler Smith (+425).
Ankrum, who registered five top-five finishes in seven starts, ranked third in points, but was tied with Stewart Friesen (+2800) for the ninth-best odds to win the circuit title.
TYLER ANKRUM WINS AT ROCKINGHAM! #NASCARonFS1 pic.twitter.com/gIKJ39lfVC
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) April 18, 2025
2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship Odds
Here is a look at the drivers’ odds for the 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship, according to BetOnline Sportsbook:
| Driver | NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship Odds |
|---|---|
| Corey Heim | +180 |
| Ty Majeski | +350 |
| Chandler Smith | +425 |
| Layne Riggs | +525 |
| Grant Enfinger | +1000 |
| Daniel Hemric | +1000 |
| Kaden Honeycutt | +2000 |
| Ben Rhodes | +2200 |
| Rajah Caruth | +2500 |
| Tyler Ankrum | +2800 |
| Stewart Friesen | +2800 |
| Connor Mosack | +3300 |
| Chase Purdy | +5000 |
| Gio Ruggiero | +5000 |
| Tanner Gray | +6600 |
| Matt Crafton | +8000 |
| Christian Rose | +15000 |
| Jack Wood | +15000 |
| Jake Garcia | +15000 |
| Spencer Boyd | +20000 |
| Timmy Hill | +25000 |
| Matt Mills | +25000 |
| Dawson Sutton | +25000 |
| Mason Massey | +30000 |
| Frankie Muniz | +30000 |
| Bayley Currey | +50000 |
| Bret Holmes | +50000 |
| Toni Breidinger | +500000 |
*-Odds current at time of publication
