NASCAR

Sportsbook Tabs Corey Heim With Top NASCAR Truck Series Championship Odds; Tyler Ankrum Seeks Playoff Points; Layne Riggs Refining Rookie Skills

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Jeff Hawkins
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Jeff Hawkins Sports Editor

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.  

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Published2 hours ago on October 23, 2024

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NASCAR: Truck Series - Toyota 200

With BetOnline Sportsbook tabbing driver Corey Heim (+175) with the top sport-betting odds to claim the NASCAR Truck Series championship, Tyler Ankrum sits on the opposite side of the postseason spectrum. 

Ankrum needs to acquire points during Saturday’s Baptist Health 200 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, the second of three Round of 8 events. Ranked eighth in the playoff standings, Ankrum trails No. 4-ranked driver, Ty Majeski, by 23 points. 

In the circuit’s last outing, Oct. 4 at Talladega Superspeedway, Ankrum placed P14 after getting caught up in an end-of-race accident. Ankrum sparked the mele after losing control of his No. 18 Chevrolet after getting a last-lap push. Ankrum’s spinning machine crossed the start-finish line. 

“We had a really good push coming to the checkered flag from our teammate,” Ankrum said via MHR PR. “We just had too much contact and got spun around. That’s speedway racing. It’s unfortunate it ended that way. We have to bank on winning in the next couple of weeks to make the final four, but we’ll be ready to go to work.” 

Ankrum recorded the fastest lap at Talladega (192.220 mph), but fell short.  

“Just misjudged it a little bit,” Ankrum told FOX Sports. “Sucks I finished that way. 

“We have a little work to do before Homestead.” 

Layne Riggs Seeks To Play ‘Spoiler’ 

Out of the playoffs, Layne Riggs continues to refine his driving style with what he recently described to Peter Stratta as an “entirely new team.” 

Riggs remains encouraged by the way the garage members have been trending.  

“Everyone on our team is in a new position,” Riggs said. “I’m a rookie driver with a rookie crew chief and a rookie team. I think we’re going pretty good.” 

In 20 Truck Series outings, Riggs collected two wins and eight top-10 finishes. The No. 38 Ford pilot ranks fifth with 134 laps led. Under the direction of crew chief Dylan Cappello, Riggs remains a heavy favorite to claim the top first-year driver honor.  

Sans his P28 at Talladega, Riggs will attempt to rebound and show the team’s form in compiling five consecutive top-fives from Aug. 25 to Sept. 27, including two Round of 10 wins at The Milwaukee Mile and Bristol Motor Speedway. 

At Kansas Speedway on Sept. 27, a 1.5-mile oval like Homestead, Riggs earned a P2.  

“I’m excited for Homestead,” Riggs said, via FRM PR. “Our mile-and-a-half program has really improved. Dylan (Cappello) and the whole shop have been putting in overtime on this truck, so I have a good feeling about this weekend regardless of it being my first time at Homestead.” 

Added Capello: “We want to play ‘playoff spoiler’ and I know Layne does too.” 

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:

Driver NASCAR Truck Series Championship Odds
Corey Heim +175
Christian Eckes +190
Ty Majeski  +275
Grant Enfinger +500
Nick Sanchez +1400
Rajah Caruth +1600
Tyler Ankrum +4000
Taylor Gray +6600

*-Odds current at time of publication

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Author photo
Jeff Hawkins
Sports Editor

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 better
Author photo
Jeff Hawkins Sports Editor

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.  

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