Homecoming Ambitions
Gio Ruggiero has come a long way from the dirt‑covered ovals of his youth to the bright lights of the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series.
After his debut in the series at New Hampshire Motor Speedway last September, where he finished fourth, Ruggiero captured his first victory at Talladega Superspeedway in October, earning the 2025 Rookie of the Year award and propelling him to fourth in the championship standings.
Now, as the series heads back to the 1.058‑mile New Hampshire track for the Team EJP 175 — the final race of the regular season — Ruggiero says the weekend feels like a homecoming, with a full crowd expected and the chance to study last year’s race to fine‑tune his approach.
He notes that the support from local fans has been a constant source of motivation, and that a win at his home track would be a milestone for him and his team.
Ruggiero and his crew at TRICON Garage are confident that the stronger package they have built will give them a shot at the front, and they are focused on executing a solid race strategy.
Looking forward, Ruggiero plans to apply the lessons from last year’s event, aiming to translate that experience into a winning performance that could cement his place among the series’ rising stars.