Corey Heim captured his 18th career NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory under the lights at Richmond Raceway, overcoming chaos, strategy shifts, and a dominant Ty Majeski. Majeski swept both stages and led more than 90 laps, but late cautions and tire strategy turned the race upside down. Ben Rhodes surged with bold three-wide moves, while Sammy Smith and Gio Ruggiero briefly challenged in the closing laps. Heim capitalized when it mattered most, surging ahead in the final 20 laps to secure the win and momentum for the playoffs.
Key Highlights
Corey Heim captured his 18th career NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series win at Richmond Raceway.
Ty Majeski dominated the early stages, sweeping Stage 1 and Stage 2 with long-run speed.
Multiple cautions and tire strategy swings kept the race unpredictable through the night.
Ben Rhodes surged forward on fresh tires with bold three-wide passes.
Sammy Smith and Gio Ruggiero briefly challenged late, but Heim sealed the win.
Early Chaos and Tire Strategy Battles
The Truck Series race at Richmond Raceway opened with immediate intensity, as Corey Heim and Ty Majeski battled door-to-door on the front row. The first laps set the tone for the night, with Matt Crafton making it three-wide into turn one and the pack fanning out four-wide in the opening laps. Richmond’s multi-groove surface allowed drivers to experiment high and low, but it also demanded discipline.
Commentators repeatedly emphasized the importance of managing tires on the short track. With 200+ laps ahead, running “90%” rather than burning off grip early became the balancing act. Christian Eckes and others noted the temptation to push too hard when losing positions, but the long-run consequences loomed large.
Lane Riggs was one of the early movers, showing strength on the outside lane. His truck looked planted off the corners, allowing him to pressure veterans like Grant Enfinger. Meanwhile, Gio Ruggiero climbed from the mid-20s into the top 20 before the first stage ended, reminding the field of his season-long consistency.
Majeski’s Stage Sweep and Rhodes’ Charge
As the opening run developed, Ty Majeski’s No. 98 Ford began to separate from the field. With pinpoint precision in the corners and a truck that rolled the center better than most, Majeski surged to the front. He completed decisive passes on the outside, unusual for the Truck Series so early in a run, and grabbed the Stage 1 victory.
Crew chiefs quickly recognized that strategy would revolve around the limited sets of tires. Each team had three more sets after Stage 1, and decisions on when to pit would shape the race’s outcome. Majeski’s pace gave him control, but others gambled with timing.
The middle portion of the race was marked by Ben Rhodes’ aggressive push on fresh tires. Restarting deep in the field after a strategy call, Rhodes made daring three-wide moves, slicing through traffic with confidence. For several laps, his No. 99 looked untouchable, moving from outside the top 20 to the top five in short order.
Still, Majeski had the truck to beat. He managed traffic smoothly and conserved his advantage to sweep both Stage 1 and Stage 2, collecting maximum stage points and leading more than 90 laps. With each lap, it looked increasingly like Richmond would belong to the 98 team.
Chaos, Cautions, and Heim’s Closing Push
The final stage, however, delivered the unpredictability Richmond is known for. Cautions involving Luke Fenhaus, Carson Kvapil, and others bunched up the field and forced teams to make split-second tire calls. Some debated holding a set of tires for a potential late-race dash, while others used them earlier to gain track position.
One of the most dramatic moments came when Majeski was caught in traffic after a restart. Pushed around by multiple trucks, including contact with Gio Ruggiero and Corey LaJoie, Majeski lost ground and questioned whether his truck had sustained damage. Sammy Smith briefly capitalized, putting his truck out front for the first time of the night, while Gio Ruggiero applied heavy pressure in a must-win scenario.
Despite the challenges, Majeski clawed back toward the front, determined not to let his dominant night slip away. Yet it was Corey Heim who ultimately took control when it mattered most. After running inside the top five all evening, Heim methodically worked his way past Smith and Ruggiero, then held off Majeski in the closing laps.
With 20 laps to go, Heim’s No. 11 Toyota showed the same strength it has displayed all season. He built a gap, managed his tires, and crossed the finish line for his 18th career Truck Series win. The victory also solidified his position as the regular-season champion, ensuring additional playoff points and momentum heading into the postseason.
News in Brief: 2025 Richmond NASCAR Truck Series Highlights
Corey Heim’s Richmond triumph marked his 18th career Truck Series victory and further underscored his dominance in 2025. Ty Majeski swept both stages and led more than 90 laps, but a chaotic final stage opened the door for Heim to capitalize. Ben Rhodes’ bold charge on fresh tires, combined with late-race challenges from Sammy Smith and Gio Ruggiero, added to the night’s drama. In the end, Heim emerged with the win, playoff points, and the momentum needed for a deep championship run.
ALSO READ: NASCAR Truck Series Playoff Picture Before the 2025 Richmond Race
