Four NASCAR Truck playoff drivers who watched their Championship 4 dreams die at Martinsville

A 10-driver contingent had made it to the NASCAR Truck Series playoffs, but only four drivers could reach Phoenix to have a jibe at the Truck Series title. Moreover, the final four were set at the Martinsville Speedway, where Corey Heim emerged victorious for the 11th time this season and would fight for the title a week later with three other rivals.

While the Tricon Garage driver would be joined by Kaden Honeycutt, Ty Majeski, and Tyler Ankrum, others did not similar fortune. Four NASCAR Truck Series drivers saw their championship 4 dreams die in front of their eyes in Martinsville, which are as follows:

4 drivers that were eliminated from the NASCAR Truck Series contention

#4 Daniel Hemric

Daniel Hemric had secured his playoff berth earlier in the year by winning a race at the Martinsville Speedway. Ironically, on the same track, he saw himself being knocked out of contention for the NASCAR Truck Series championship.

Since his Spring victory at Martinsville, the No. 19 Truck driver had finished inside the top-five eight times. But his results tapered off since the Round of 8 began, leading to a dismal exit from the championship contention.

#3 Grant Enfinger

Grant Enfinger was one of the four drivers to reach the postseason without even winning a single race. However, his stern consistency had helped him stay in the running for the title.

But this was not a hefty blow to Enfinger. He had already arrived at Martinsville with a do-or-die situation, as he was 40 points from the cutline. Thus, a 12th-place finish wasn't going to be enough for his promotion to the championship four, and his hopes of fighting for the title again in Phoenix were crushed in front of him.

#2 Rajah Caruth

Rajah Caruth suffered a dismal weekend in Martinsville. The 23-year-old had arrived 14 points above the cutline and, as per his previous results in the series, looked to have an easier time in the fight to move into the championship four.

On the other hand, fortune plays a major role in motorsports, and this was witnessed at the NASCAR Truck Series Slim Jim 200. After starting seventh on the road, he was involved in an incident on lap 72 that ruled him out of the rest of the race.

This opened up the door for his rivals to move above the cutline, and they grabbed the opportunity with both hands. Caruth dropped from being second in the standings to sixth after the torrid race, making his first possible visit to Phoenix as a championship contender remain a dream for at least another year.

#1 Layne Riggs

Layne Riggs had the best chance among the drivers below the cutline to make his way inside the championship four. He even scored the pole position for the race and took the chequered flag inside the top-five.

However, his rivals had a better night than him, as he was pipped by Ty Majeski in the points scored during the race, leading to his elimination from the running for the championship.

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Edited by Geetansh Pasricha