Defending Truck Series champion Ty Majeski has provided important guidance on postseason expectations to his Thorsport Racing teammate, Jake Garcia, ahead of the upcoming playoff race at Darlington Raceway. Garcia, preparing for his debut in playoff competition this weekend, will rely on Majeski’s experience as he navigates this new stage in his career, highlighting the importance of the Ty Majeski playoff advice teammate dynamic.
Jake Garcia Prepares for His First Playoff Challenge
Jake Garcia began his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series journey with McAnally-Hilgermann Racing in 2022. After that season, he transitioned to a full-time drive with ThorSport Racing in 2024, making this his second year competing for the team. This move placed Garcia alongside veteran competitors and surrounded him with a championship-winning environment.
Within the ThorSport Racing team, Garcia’s colleagues include accomplished drivers such as Matt Crafton—who secured back-to-back titles in 2013-14 and another in 2019—and Ben Rhodes, who claimed two championships in 2021 and 2023. Ty Majeski, adding to this impressive roster, captured the Truck Series title in the 2024 season. The combination of past champions and rising talent has set high standards and expectations within the organization.
Majeski’s Guidance Amid High Expectations at ThorSport
For the 2025 playoffs, only Majeski and Garcia will represent ThorSport Racing, driving the #98 and #13 Ford trucks, respectively. Notably, Matt Crafton narrowly missed the playoffs, falling one spot short, and now sits 16th in the overall standings with a 1701-point gap from the current leader, Corey Heim. Garcia’s entry into the playoffs marks a significant milestone, as he ventures into this competitive stage for the first time alongside seasoned teammate Majeski.
Recognizing Garcia’s lack of playoff experience, Majeski saw the need to share advice that could steady his teammate’s nerves and mindset. Majeski, reflecting on the pressure of the playoffs, stressed the importance of staying focused and not letting the moment become overwhelming:
“I think the biggest thing is just not letting the moment get too big, right? There’s a reason that the No. 13 group and Jake made the playoffs, and don’t lose sight of how you got to this point. As soon as you kind of let the stage get too big and overthink it, that’s when you make mistakes, and that’s really the only thing that can really disrupt your playoff run, is making a mistake, especially in that first round.” —Ty Majeski, Truck Series Champion
Achievements and Backgrounds of the ThorSport Drivers
Before his tenure with ThorSport Racing, Ty Majeski competed for Niece Motorsports and has consistently demonstrated skill and determination. Over the course of his Truck Series career, Majeski has achieved six wins, an impressive 33 top-five finishes, and 59 top-ten finishes across 107 starts. He has led a total of 1,599 laps, with an average starting position of 8.6, evidencing his steady presence at the front of the pack.
Garcia’s journey, on the other hand, continues to unfold as he learns from those around him and builds on his results. The support structure of ThorSport—home to drivers with multiple championship wins—gives Garcia a unique opportunity to gain insight directly from some of the sport’s most accomplished truck racing professionals.
Ty Majeski’s Path from Engineer to Series Champion
Majeski’s career with ThorSport Racing marked a remarkable rise, culminating in his Championship Four victory on November 8 of the previous year. This pivotal win made ThorSport the first NASCAR Truck Series organization to secure consecutive championship titles, further solidifying its reputation as a powerhouse in the series.
The team’s rich history includes multiple titles from Matt Crafton and Ben Rhodes. With Majeski’s triumph, the organization achieved its sixth overall championship, positioning itself as the most decorated team in the division. During the decisive Championship Four race, Majeski showcased his racing prowess by overtaking Corey Heim in the closing moments to seize the checkered flag.
After the win, Majeski reflected on his personal journey within ThorSport Racing:
“It’s possible you just need to find your way to find a way to set yourself apart from everybody else. And I did that by working in the shop; I started as an engineer at ThorSport in 2021, with three or four races, didn’t know what it was gonna turn into, and now a champion.” —Ty Majeski, Truck Series Champion
Now standing sixth in the Truck Series point standings with 2010 points, Majeski has tallied eleven top-ten and five top-five finishes in eighteen starts this season. Both he and Garcia are set to compete in the Sober or Slammer 200 at Darlington Raceway on August 30, 2025.
Anticipation Builds for Darlington and Beyond
As the playoff race at Darlington Raceway approaches, Ty Majeski’s experience and advice are likely to play a valuable role for Jake Garcia as he takes on the high-pressure environment of postseason competition. ThorSport Racing’s legacy of championship success sets an ambitious benchmark, and Garcia now has the opportunity to contribute to that history under the guidance of his accomplished teammate. With both drivers in strong form, the team will be closely watched as they aim for another impressive playoff campaign.
