S.M.A.S.H iRacing East Coast Truck Series: Dillon Canova Wins at Charlotte

By S.M.A.S.H — May 22, 2026

Memorial Day weekend continued at Charlotte Motor Speedway with the S.M.A.S.H East Coast Truck Series taking over the track for the second half of Friday night’s truck doubleheader.

After the Challenger Truck Series opened the evening, the East Coast field rolled into Charlotte for 100 laps with a full race still ahead and the meaning of the weekend still sitting heavy over the grid.

This was not just another points night.

This was Charlotte. This was Memorial Day weekend. And this was a race where one driver left no doubt.

Dillon Canova put the #70 Chevrolet on the pole, led the most laps, set the fastest lap of the race, and drove away with the East Coast Truck Series win at Charlotte.

Canova Controls Charlotte

Dillon Canova’s night started exactly where every driver wants to be at Charlotte: out front.

Canova earned the pole with a qualifying lap of 30.418 seconds, then carried that speed into the race. Once the green flag dropped, he turned clean air and raw pace into a complete performance.

Over the 100-lap race, Canova led 80 laps and recorded the fastest race lap at 30.521 seconds on Lap 47. He also finished the race with 0 incidents, making the win even stronger.

That is the kind of performance that stands out.

Charlotte is not an easy place to control for 100 laps. The track gives drivers speed, but it also demands discipline. Dirty air, tire falloff, restarts, traffic, and pressure can all change a race quickly. Canova handled all of it and kept the field behind him.

This was not a lucky win.

This was a driver taking command.

Gun’R Cowan Comes Home Second

Behind Canova, Gun’R Cowan brought the #48 Chevrolet home in second.

Cowan finished 4.912 seconds behind the leader and completed all 100 laps with 0 incidents, giving him a strong East Coast Truck Series result at one of the biggest tracks on the schedule.

For Cowan, this was another important showing.

After being part of the Challenger conversation and earning his way into the East Coast picture, Cowan continues to prove he can hold his own in stronger fields. Charlotte was another test, and he answered it with a clean second-place run.

That matters.

Speed gets attention, but clean execution earns respect.

Lee Richardson IV Completes the Podium

Lee Richardson IV finished third in the #5 Chevrolet, giving him the final spot on the podium.

Richardson had speed in qualifying as well, starting second after laying down a 30.457-second lap. In the race, he stayed inside the fight and brought the truck home third after 100 laps.

That is a strong night.

Charlotte can turn into a long race fast, especially when the field stretches out and drivers start fighting the balance of the truck. Richardson kept himself in the top group and left with a podium finish.

Top Five at Charlotte

The East Coast Truck Series top five at Charlotte finished:

1. Dillon Canova — #70 Chevrolet

2. Gun’R Cowan — #48 Chevrolet

3. Lee Richardson IV — #5 Chevrolet

4. Austin Gum — #6 Ford

5. Shane Marcum — #47 Chevrolet

Austin Gum put together a strong fourth-place run in the #6 Ford, while Shane Marcum rounded out the top five in the #47 Chevrolet.

That top five shows exactly what the East Coast Truck Series has become: fast drivers, clean drivers, and names from across the S.M.A.S.H ladder continuing to push into bigger moments.

More Names Inside the Top Ten

Mike Springer finished sixth in the #27 Chevrolet, followed by Christopher Melton in seventh in the #49 RAM.

Melton also led 1 lap, giving him a small but meaningful mark on the race. Cody Oconnor came home eighth in the #57 Chevrolet, Scott Drost finished ninth in the #2 Chevrolet, and Joe Davide rounded out the top ten in the #34 Ford.

The rest of the lead-lap group included Daryl Griffin in 11th, Darren T Vale in 12th, and Ash Rogers in 13th.

Nick Biddy was another major storyline. Biddy led 19 laps in the #32 Ford, showing real speed before finishing 15th.

Race Summary

The East Coast Truck Series race at Charlotte was a 100-lap event with 20 drivers taking the green.

The race had 1 caution for 3 caution laps, along with 3 lead changes. The official strength of field was 1943. Canova led 80 laps, Nick Biddy led 19, and Christopher Melton led 1.

Those numbers tell the story pretty clearly.

The race had moments where track position shifted, but Canova was the driver who controlled the night. When the field had chances to challenge him, he responded. When the race settled in, he stretched it out. When it came time to finish, he closed the deal.

Memorial Day Weekend Still Means More

Even with the competition on track, this weekend carries a different kind of weight.

Memorial Day is not just another holiday on the calendar. It is a time to remember the men and women who gave everything in service to this country. It is a time to respect the families who carry that sacrifice. It is a time to understand that some weekends are bigger than racing.

S.M.A.S.H can chase wins, points, and trophies while still remembering what this weekend is really about.

That was the tone at Charlotte.

Honor first.

Then race.

Final Word

The S.M.A.S.H East Coast Truck Series delivered a strong Memorial Day weekend race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Dillon Canova was the class of the field. He won the pole, led 80 laps, set the fastest race lap, finished with 0 incidents, and left Charlotte with the win.

Gun’R Cowan finished second with another clean and impressive performance.

Lee Richardson IV completed the podium.

And the East Coast Truck Series continued to prove why it has become one of the strongest weekly products in S.M.A.S.H.

Charlotte belonged to Canova.

Memorial Day weekend belongs to something bigger.

S.M.A.S.H remembers, respects, and races on.