NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Jack Wood will miss the regular-season finale at Richmond Raceway after sustaining an injury last week at Watkins Glen International. McAnally-Hilgemann Racing announced the withdrawal of the #91 team from the upcoming event due to Wood’s condition.
Wood, 25, started the Mission 176 race at The Glen in 23rd position, but on lap 37, a tire failure caused his #91 Chevrolet to crash heavily into the wall while navigating the esses at Turn 2. Though he received evaluation and treatment at the infield care center and was initially released, further reports confirmed that his injury would prevent him from competing in Richmond.
“Jack Wood will not compete in Friday’s race at Richmond Raceway for precautionary measures due to an injury he sustained at Watkins Glen International. The #91 entry has been withdrawn from the event. An update on Wood’s status will be announced at a later date,”
the team wrote.
With the #91 entry pulled, former McAnally-Hilgemann driver Christian Eckes will return in the #16 Chevrolet as a part-time competitor. Eckes, who currently races full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, will join teammates Tyler Ankrum, Daniel Hemric, and Connor Mosack for the Richmond race. Additionally, Corey LaJoie, a former Cup Series driver, will take over the #77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet, replacing Andrés Pérez de Lara. Kaden Honeycutt will also fill in for Stewart Friesen in the #52 Halmar-Friesen Racing Toyota as Friesen continues his recovery following surgery.
The eero 250 at Richmond Raceway is scheduled for Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET. This race serves as the final event of the 2025 NASCAR Truck Series regular season before the playoffs begin at Darlington Raceway on August 30.
Details on the NASCAR Truck Series Qualifying for Richmond’s Eero 250
The qualifying session ahead of the eero 250 is set to start at 3:10 p.m. ET on Friday. Carson Kvapil will lead Group A participants driving the #97 CR7 Motorsports Chevrolet, while Spencer Boyd will start first in Group B behind the wheel of the #76 Freedom Racing Enterprises Chevrolet.
This qualifying order will determine the starting grid for the season’s final regular-season race, adding extra pressure amid the lineup changes and the evolving points battle as the series nears the playoffs.
Changes in Driver Lineup Amid Injuries and Replacements
The absence of Jack Wood highlights the risks drivers face in the NASCAR Truck Series, especially with the season reaching a critical juncture. Christian Eckes’s return to the Truck Series and Corey LaJoie’s participation add experienced depth to their respective teams. Honeycutt’s substitution for Friesen also underscores the ongoing challenges teams face managing injuries late in the season.
As the series heads into its final regular-season race, these lineup changes could influence team dynamics and the drivers’ chances of advancing into the playoffs, making the eero 250 a pivotal event for both competitors and fans.