Kaden Honeycutt Claims 2026 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Title at Homestead

Kaden Honeycutt has been crowned the 2026 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion, securing victory at the Homestead finale driving the No. 11 TRICON Garage Toyota. After a dominant five‑win season, he completed his title campaign with a comfortable margin over rival Layne Riggs, who was forced several laps down early due to a right‑rear tire failure.

Honeycutt assumed the race lead from Christian Eckes on the final restart, scoring both the race win and the championship.

“Honeycutt praised his team: “This team is a Hall of Fame team. Scott Zipadelli is the best crew chief on pit road and a true mentor who has helped me improve every week. I’m incredibly thankful for everyone who let me drive their race cars and to the fans for their support.” He later added, “It was an unbelievable race. I saved my effort early, then once the opportunity arose I put everything on the line—‘I put my nuts on the dash’—and pushed to win. Thanks to the whole team, I love them so much.”

Layne Riggs finished 32nd, ending the 2026 season as the championship runner‑up with seven race wins, falling 83 points short of Honeycutt. “Riggs reflected, “I had plenty of time to think about it when I was running about 10 laps down. Thinking about the year we had and the success we achieved, we simply couldn’t stay consistent enough to capture the title tonight. We knew we’d need an almost perfect race, which is hard to do at any level. I’m proud of the entire team… We even had a chance to become champion, but it was disappointing… after that initial contact I don’t know what happened to [Sanchez]; we were close together, I got super free under him, and the next thing we had a tire issue.”

The final championship standings place Chandler Smith third, Ty Majeski fourth, Christian Eckes fifth, Gio Ruggiero sixth, Daniel Hemric seventh, Ben Rhodes eighth, Grant Enfinger ninth, and Tyler Ankrum tenth.

Brenden “Butterbean” Queen captured Rookie of the Year honors.

Stages 1 & 2

The field spread three‑wide for the lead. Layne Riggs advanced quickly but nearly spun while battling John Sanchez for third on lap two; the truck brushed sideways after contact but he recovered.

Jeurys Heim seized the lead, yet Riggs began to fade after complaining about tire cording. The right‑rear tire detached, forcing Riggs into the pits. After a tire change and fender repairs he fell two laps behind, extinguishing his championship hopes.

On fresh tires Riggs chased Heim for a single lap recovery but could not close the gap, handing Heim the Stage 1 win.

Behind Heim the order was Sanchez, Kaden Honeycutt, Daniel Hemric, Chandler Smith, Ty Majeski, Grant Enfinger, Christian Eckes, Todd Friesen, and Todd Garcia.

Heim led after the first set of pit stops; Riggs stayed out to take the wave‑around. Honeycutt assumed the lead on the restart, with Hemric and Sanchez briefly moving to the front before Heim re‑established control later in the stage.

Riggs was forced back to pit lane for further repairs, dropping more than seven laps down and ending his title bid. He also received a pass‑through penalty for two crew members over the wall.

Heim dominated Stage 2, finishing ahead of Hemric, Sanchez, Eckes, Majeski, Honeycutt, C. Smith, Friesen, Gio Ruggiero and Tan Gray.

Stage 3

Kaden Honeycutt wins championship, No. 11 TRICON Toyota

Photo by: Meg Oliphant / Getty Images

After a four‑wide restart battle, Christian Eckes took the lead over Heim. With about 40 laps remaining, green‑flag pit stops began and Honeycutt hit the pits shortly thereafter.

Eckes exited ahead of Heim, but the run was interrupted when John Sanchez experienced a major mechanical failure, ending his race.

The majority of the field elected to take their final set of fresh tires, while drivers such as Mosack, Haley, Kligerman and Honeyman remained on the track.

Eckes and Honeycutt were the first tire‑on drivers to reclaim the top spot. Meanwhile, a mid‑field wreck involved Tyler Ankrum, Austin Perez, Ty Reif and Tan Gray.

Honeycutt seized control on the final restart, overtaking the field and securing the race victory that also clinched the championship.

Honeycutt crossed the line first, with Eckes second, Daniel Hemric third, Ty Majeski fourth and Todd Friesen fifth. Heim, Chandler Smith, Todd Garcia, Grant Enfinger and Matt LaJoie completed the top ten.

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