Venue: New Hampshire Motor Speedway (“The Magic Mile”), Loudon, New Hampshire Race Details
Scheduled Start: 1:30 p.m. ET
Distance: 175 laps / 185.15 miles on the 1.058-mile oval
Stages: 55 / 110 / 175
TV/Radio: FS1 (television); MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
Purse: Approximately $789,700
This is the final race of the regular season. The top drivers have already clinched Chase (playoff) berths, but seeding, bubble battles, and momentum heading into the postseason remain very much on the line.
Weather Conditions
Saturday is expected to feature mostly cloudy skies with a chance of showers (around 40–50% in some forecasts, though lower during the afternoon race window in certain reports). Highs in the upper 60s to low 70s°F. Light winds. Conditions should be cooler and more unsettled than a typical midsummer day, with possible damp patches or light rain influencing strategy and tire choice. Wet-weather tires are available if needed.
Track Characteristics
Length: 1.058 miles
Type: Flat intermediate oval (“Magic Mile”)
Banking: Very low (approximately 2–7 degrees in the turns; near-flat on the straights)
Turns: Four relatively tight, technical corners
Key Features: Emphasis on braking zones, throttle control, car rotation through the center of the turns, long-run handling, and restarts. The short straights and flat nature reward precision and tire management over pure power. The backstretch is important for setting up passes into Turns 3–4. Track position is critical—historically, a high percentage of Truck races here are won from the front row, and the driver who leads the most laps often prevails.
Key Driver Matchups & Recent Form / Starting Lineup Highlights
Pole-sitter: Layne Riggs (No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford) – Set a lap of 29.346 seconds (129.789 mph). Fourth pole of 2026 and a strong points leader. Front-row and top contenders include:
Kaden Honeycutt (No. 11) starting 2nd – Consistent title contender.
Gio Ruggiero (No. 17 TRICON Garage) starting 3rd – Local New England ties (Seekonk, Massachusetts roots) and prior strong runs at the track; frequently mentioned as a strong pick.
Connor Zilisch (No. 71) and other Cup/developmental talent adding depth.
Additional strong entries: Chandler Smith, Ty Majeski, Christian Eckes, Grant Enfinger, Ben Rhodes, Daniel Hemric, and others.
Cup Series regulars and part-timers (including names such as Christopher Bell and John Hunter Nemechek in some reports) further strengthen the field. Playoff-clinching scenarios and bubble drivers fighting for the final spots add intensity.
Race History
New Hampshire has a solid history in the Craftsman Truck Series. The flat, technical nature often produces competitive racing with significant emphasis on strategy, restarts, and clean air. Front-row starts and lap leadership have historically correlated strongly with victory. The track rewards drivers who can maintain pace on longer runs and execute under pressure in the closing stages.
Betting Trends & Outlook
Drivers who qualify well (track position is huge).
Those with strong long-run speed and restart execution.
Teams that manage tires effectively on the abrasive, flat surface.
Weather introduces a potential variable—if the track is damp or green, strategy and adaptability rise in importance. Suggested angles (for entertainment purposes): Riggs or Honeycutt for outright/top contenders; value looks at Ruggiero or other strong qualifiers with local knowledge or recent form.
Always verify final odds, practice notes, and weather closer to green-flag time. The Team EJP 175 serves as the regular-season finale and should deliver intense, position-critical racing on the demanding Magic Mile. Expect a strategic battle focused on track position, restarts, and consistency as drivers look to close the regular season on a high note ahead of the Chase.
