Corey Heim earns his first win of 2026 at Darlington as Kaden Honeycutt dominates stages but fades, and Cup stars Ross Chastain and Christopher Bell mix it up.
The Lady in Black Claims Another Victim
Darlington Raceway has always been a place where the best rise and the bold get humbled. In the Buckle Up South Carolina 200, Corey Heim in the No. 5 proved he belongs among the best, starting fifth and leading 28 laps en route to a decisive victory worth 72.8 fantasy points. But the real story might be the one who dominated the stages but couldn't close the deal.
Honeycutt's Heartbreak
Kaden Honeycutt in the No. 11 was the class of the field for 150 of the 200 laps. Starting from the pole, Honeycutt led a race-high 59 laps and swept both stages — winning Stage 1 and Stage 2 convincingly. His 57.9 fantasy points reflect the immense production from laps led and stage wins, but the ultimate prize slipped away in the closing laps when Heim's fresher tires gave him the edge on the final restart. Still, from a fantasy perspective, Honeycutt was one of the best plays of the day despite finishing fourth.
Cup Stars in the Mix
The Truck race at Darlington attracted serious Cup Series talent, and they didn't disappoint. Ross Chastain in the No. 45 ran second, leading 35 laps and pushing Heim all the way to the checkered flag. Chastain's aggressive style suits Darlington — he ran the wall with the confidence of a driver who's done it hundreds of times at the Cup level.
Christopher Bell in the No. 62 also made his presence felt, leading six laps and finishing sixth. Bell's raw speed was evident, but track position on late restarts kept him from challenging for the win. Cup ringers remain high-floor, moderate-ceiling plays in Truck fantasy.
Eckes Finds His Groove
Christian Eckes in the No. 91 continues to be one of the most underrated drivers in the series. Starting 16th, Eckes worked forward all day, led seven laps, and won Stage 1 before finishing third. That's a 13-position improvement and another heaping of stage points for a driver who seems allergic to bad fantasy days.
Deep Value
William Sawalich in the No. 1 made a significant move from 27th to 10th, collecting stage points along the way (fifth in Stage 1, 10th in Stage 2). For fantasy managers hunting value at the bottom of the salary pool, Sawalich delivered meaningful production.
By the Numbers
| Driver | Start | Finish | Laps Led | Fantasy Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corey Heim #5 | 5th | 1st | 28 | 72.8 |
| Ross Chastain #45 | 9th | 2nd | 35 | — |
| Christian Eckes #91 | 16th | 3rd | 7 | — |
| Kaden Honeycutt #11 | 1st | 4th | 59 | 57.9 |
| Connor Mosack #7 | — | 5th | — | — |
| Christopher Bell #62 | — | 6th | 6 | — |
Fantasy Takeaways
- Heim gets his first win and it's a big one — 72.8 points at the toughest track on the schedule. He's a must-roster at intermediate and legacy tracks.
- Honeycutt swept both stages, led 59 laps, and STILL scored 57.9 despite finishing fourth. In fantasy, laps-led production this high is almost impossible to fade. Honeycutt is a top-tier play even when he doesn't win.
- Eckes from 16th to 3rd with a stage win continues his elite consistency. He's the safest mid-tier option in the series.
- Chastain leading 35 laps from P9 shows Cup drivers take these Truck races seriously. When Cup stars are on the entry list, they're premium plays.
- Sawalich from 27th to 10th with stage points is deep-roster gold. Track him as a recurring value option.