Kaden Honeycutt robbed of chance for first truck victory after extended pit stop in Charlotte

CONCORD, N.C. – Kaden Honeycutt was bad fast.

Fast enough that he carefully dragged his entire gas can around the track and was back in second place as the laps ticked down. Honeycutt was engaged in a battle with Corey Heim while everyone else ahead had to conserve fuel. Both drivers were head and shoulders above the rest of the field in terms of pure pace during the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

A caution for Chase Purdy cutting a tire with 14 laps remaining resulted in a split decision on pit road. Christian Eckes remained in the lead, but Honeycutt, Heim and almost everyone else opted to go to the pits for service.

But disaster struck for the No. 45 team, as a right-rear problem caused a prolonged stop and a second stint in the pits, all while risking losing a lap.

A DISASTER of a final stop for Kaden Honeycutt

He came to the pits second, but there was a major problem with the right rear. pic.twitter.com/bEPOPffRsQ

– Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) May 25, 2024

Honeycutt remained in the lead lap, but the damage was done; he fell out of the top 20 to finish seventh, but seventh was far from the result the team could have achieved.

“It’s a team effort, so I’m not going to point fingers at anyone,” Honeycutt said. “There’s still some things I need to clean up and figure out…I’m not going to blame anyone, we’re just going to take this as a team effort, we’re going to look at things again and come out better for it.”

“Man, what a shame. Like, I don’t know what to say. … It was heartbreaking for Carson (Hocevar) last year, it’s still heartbreaking. There’s not much we can do, just try to come back next year and reclaim what’s ours.

The No. 45 Niece Motorsports is trying to stay in the owners’ championship, so Honeycutt didn’t let the mistake get to him as he raced through the field on fresh tires in the final nine laps.

“I was pretty upset all the time,” Honeycutt said. “I just wanted to achieve the best possible finishes. Like I told you and like I told everyone, it’s an ownership team here. That’s what we’re looking for, so I couldn’t just keep my head down and just make putts on the track.

“I’m very excited to have these type of trucks, very excited to know how to drive the truck, fortunately. We’re going to take this and head to Nashville (Superspeedway) for the next one and continue to do this as a team effort. That’s what it’s about.

Honeycutt had a fourth-place finish at Kansas Speedway in his part-time program with Niece this season, and he earned a stage win and a playoff point at Charlotte after Heim was disqualified for three loose lug nuts during post-race inspection.

The Texas native is still looking for his first truck win, but with the speed he showed in Charlotte and Kansas, he continues to get closer and closer to the top of the mountain.

So devastating…. Our day is coming, I know it. Thank you Al Niece for this opportunity. We will come back better than before👍🏻

– Kaden Honeycutt (@KadenWHoneycutt) May 25, 2024