Lime Rock Park hasn’t hosted a NASCAR race in 14 years. That changed this weekend. Not only did the Lakeville, Connecticut, road course see the return of NASCAR, but it also welcomed the raceway’s first-ever Truck Series event. Is Lime Rock the ideal place for a truck race? Absolutely not, which is what makes it so much fun to watch.
In Lime Rock Park’s 68-year history, trucks have not roamed the natural terrain road course and its sweeping (and scenic) elevation changes. At least not NASCAR-sanctioned ones, anyway. But, as with any major event, there was plenty of prep work behind the scenes to make NASCAR at Lime Rock happen. The multi-year process included several updates, such as implementing additional safety features and extending the pit lane. According to a statement released last year:
“Lime Rock Park has been working closely with NASCAR leadership over the last two years to ultimately propel the incredible opportunity to host the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series at the Park in 2025,” said Dicky Riegel, Lime Rock Park CEO. “To say that we are excited about this announcement is a major understatement, as this will surely be the biggest event in Lime Rock Park’s history.”
NASCAR found a home in Appalachia’s WASPiest corner for nearly 20 years, from 1993 to 2011. As for why the racing body left, well, the answer will depend on who you ask. Although never officially a permanent departure, there were hurdles. For one thing, a 1959 injunction banned racing on Sundays. Mind you, this was done just two years after the track was built. Although modified over the years and even appealed to the state supreme court. According to the Lakeville Journal:
“Lime Rock Park, the auto racing track, the Salisbury Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) and the Lime Rock Citizens Council have been in court for more than four years over several issues, most prominently that of allowing racing on Sundays…The injunction has been modified over the years, but the Sunday racing ban has remained.”
The result? The Connecticut Supreme Court upheld the ban. Of course, that doesn’t mean racing can’t happen on other days. With the track upgraded, more than 20,000 race fans were estimated to attend the weekend festivities. Lime Rock said it would be the largest spectator crowd in recent history. NASCAR is certainly hopeful, per a press release:
“Thanks to Dicky Riegel and the Lime Rock Park team for their commitment with NASCAR to bring an event to our passionate race fans in the northeast,” said Ben Kennedy, NASCAR Executive Vice President, Chief Venue and Racing Innovation Officer. “We look forward to showcasing the intense competition of the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series at one of the most historic road racing circuits [this] season.”
Helping bring the race to the track was occasional Autopian contributor and Nutmegger Parker Kligerman. Was he at the race driving one of the trucks? Not quite, as he’s doing the Cup Series broadcast this weekend, which is in Atlanta. Gotta give Parker credit, his timing is always perfect…
Drivers were excited about the inaugural Truck Series race as well, and you’ll see why in the highlights below.
In this configuration, the track has seven turns (six right, one left), and the trucks manage to do a lap in under a minute. That’s a lot of wheel-sawing for trucks that are not designed to turn so quickly. Corey Heim, in his qualifying run, did the track in 55 seconds. If you think that’s slow, it’s worth remembering that Travis Okulski, another Autopian contributor, reportedly needed 1:02 to complete the same lap in a Mark V Supra, though it’s not clear if it was exactly the same configuration.
Officially named the LIUNA 150, a NASCAR preview listed six first-timers, but none were new to racing. Some ringers included former NASCAR Canada Series champion Alex Labbe, part-time Xfinity Series driver Thomas Annunziata, and four-time IMSA champ Jordan Taylor. Also on the grid was Frankie Muniz of Malcom in the Middle fame as he continues his full-time series campaign.
Ultimately, Corey Heim (above) dominated the Truck Series’ debut. Not only did Heim sweep the stages, but he also led for 99 of the race’s 100 laps. Having led in the Truck Series standings going into the weekend, Lime Rock marked Heim’s fifth win of what’s turning out to be a dominant season. The next Truck Series race will take place on July 25 at Indianapolis.
Top graphic image: Lime Rock Park
I’m familiar with “Blue Laws” around alcohol and Sundays, but never motor sports. Seems kind of crazy, but ok.
Are you related to Sonia Braga?
I made it out to lime rock for this race yesterday and it was a great time. Biggest crowd I’ve seen there in a while, great weather, lively atmosphere, both the infield and outfield hill seating areas were packed. It was total domination by Heim but these guys were racing really hard. So much fun seeing the trucks try to stay in control through turn one. I hope they keep running this race here into the future, lime rock is such a fun place.
One of the best things about iracing is lime rock is a free track. its great for anything, legends, street stocks, PM-18s. Indy Car, cup car, modifieds, etc. Its not too hard and with the formula car my goal is to see if I can get airborne.
That being said can we get more racing coverage. We had xfinity last year but the guy heading it got bored real quick because he couldn’t name drop every race.
I used to go there a few times a year, but hadn’t been in a long time. I went for the transam race a few weeks ago and regret staying away for so long. I’ll try to get back there for a club race weekend before the end of the summer. I think I enjoy those more than the larger events, but I am glad to see a major race happening there.
Too bad Parker couldn’t make it. I think he needs to get a “Lime Rock” exemption in his TV contract. Alright, we have NASCAR in Connecticut, can we get a Zaxby’s?
I happened upon this race today and I was glad I did. I love the road courses and Lime Rock is beautiful. I DVR the oval races and watch the last thirty laps. I watch the road courses flag to flag.
I’m at the track sitting in front of a fire as I type. Today was the best show I’ve seen at the ‘Rock. The racing was great despite Corey’s dominance. He came out and rocked a last minute 100mph lap to take the pole, it was awesome.
Thank you NASCAR for coming back. From a fan perspective, the folks running the track did a great job and made it an awesome day. Please keep coming back.
The entire concept of NASCAR Trucks is ludicrous.
The very thought of a bunch of 2 door trucks (Can you even get a 2 door truck anymore?) hauling ass – when NASCAR was predicated on hauling moonshine.
Everyone knows that trucks don’t haul anything but groceries and fragile masculinity anymore.
Years back when Ford discontinued its cars, there was speculation as to what would replace the Fusion in the Cup.
The Mustang was the obvious and eventual choice, but I was always intrigued by the idea that Ford could use the Edge. Still would like to see what a two door, squashed crossover looks like as a racecar.
It would probably look like a Range Rover Evoque.
Or an old VW Golf.
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/07/21/ford-unveils-electric-mustang-mach-e-race-car-with-1400-horsepower.html
maybe xfinity in the next couple of years. There has been a rumor that the B Tier series will take the next gen chassis and run SUV bodies
NASCAR Cup races (raced) Camrys, Malibus, and Fusions. How is that less ludicrous? They also don’t haul anything but groceries, but I guess without the fragile masculinity.
Your jealousy is glowing. Just buy the truck and live your dream.
Already had one.
It was a Ranger.
Good little truck that didn’t pretend to be anything that it wasn’t.
Rangers pretending to be what they weren’t.
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT7qDcBt4x0xEu-r_dHmR7busscblVeKXA-R3oQL0KaJT82e12wZkP8S_HKDw-JxJtHBbkW3Rl_HWOLFt_3Pnlm8PnMOhsAzW5CE42VApOt
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRdxOiutXZEIu60DOKcBaWxmA3sh5uMZRJJAQ&s
That ship sailed ages ago when the chassis’s stopped being stock anything. They are just race cars with silly bodies now. Not that I begrudge people’s enjoyment thereof or the safety improvements.
Moonshine is very old hat. Now it’s meth, crack and fentanyl. Those get smuggled behind the stereo, stuffed under the seat or in the center console… or wrapped in plastic and stuffed into the gas tank. So no need for a big block Dodge with a huge trunk.
It’s fantastic that NASCAR has really embraced road and street courses – and that fans are watching.
I started following it in the late 90s, just as it was transitioning out a being a largely regional thing, and I remember hoping it wasn’t going to just be oval track racing, just at new tracks around the country.
Nothing wrong with oval track racing of course, it’s just extra cool when a series has a good mix.