Sportsbook Tabs Corey Heim With Top NASCAR Truck Series Championship Odds; Conner Jones Faces More Scrutiny; Hettinger Racing Makes Move

NASCAR Truck Series driver Conner Jones could face stiffer pentalties. 

The 18-year-old with 21 career starts over the past two seasons remains scrutinized by industry officials for wrecking Matt Mills during last Saturday’s Baptist Health 200 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Racing on an open track, Jones bumped Mills’ machine from behind on Lap 76. It sent the No. 42 Chevrolet out of control. After striking the Turn 3 wall, Mills’ machine erupted in fire. Transported immediately to an area hospital for smoke inhalation, Mills earned his release Monday. Since the incident, Jones, who served a two-lap penalty, continues to face a gauntlet of post-race criticism. 

NASCAR officials reportedly will investigate the case further. 

“As we know, the Truck Series is a development series and we want our drivers coming through there to race on Sunday,” NASCAR Cup Series Managing Director Brad Moran told SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. “As you saw on Sunday, our drivers did not run over each other and we need to prevent that from happening in the lower divisions.”   

Immediately after contacting Mills’ machine, Jones complained about the 27-year-old opponent on the team radio. Fox Sports broadcast his profanity-laced radio tirade: “It’s been all f***ing year. All f***ing year. He’s f***ed with me, I’m not going to f***ing do it.” 

Jones, a part-time pilot for ThorSport Racing’s No. 66 Ford, remains listed among the circuit’s top rookies. Will he remain eligible?

“We’re going to go back and look at it as well today to see if any further action needs to be taken,” Moran said.

Conner, as of Tuesday, remained listed on Friday’s Zip Buy Now, Pay Later 200 pre-race roster. Entering the Round of 8 finale at Martinsville Speedway, Corey Heim (+150) remains the sports-betting favorite to capture the circuit title.  

Conner Jones has been penalized two laps for reckless driving following the incident. pic.twitter.com/hLptcc9Wiy

— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) October 26, 2024

Hettinger Racing Expands Into NASCAR Truck Series

Chris Hettinger is making his move.  

Acquiring the assets of Bret Holmes Racing, Hettinger remains poised to expand Hettinger Racing’s footprint from a Late Model organization into a Truck Series garage. Hettinger will field the No. 32 Chevrolet on a part-time basis next season. 

Bret Holmes Racing went dark last week after appearing in 20 circuit events this season.  

“Between the investments I’ve made over the years in our Late Model program and the opportunity to purchase Bret Holmes Racing, the time was right to grow Hettinger Racing into a team that can further drivers’ development by seamlessly transitioning them from Late Models to ARCA to Trucks,” team owner Chris Hettinger said in a statement. 

Hettinger added the organization will also enter select Late Model and ARCA Menards Series events in 2025. 

BREAKING NEWS:@chrishettinger and Hettinger Racing have purchased @NASCAR_Trucks team @bretholmes23 Racing and has tapped former series champion @Brett_Moffitt to fill the seat for the final two races of the season. pic.twitter.com/4Lg3e1TLKT

— Short Track Report (@ShortTrackRep) October 29, 2024

NASCAR Truck Series Championship Odds    

Here is an early look at the drivers’ odds for capturing the NASCAR Truck Series championship odds, according to BetOnline Sportsbook:

*-Odds current at time of publication