Corey Heim Darlington NASCAR Truck win headlines the start of the playoffs, as Heim claimed his eighth victory of the 2025 season at Darlington, instantly securing his advancement to the next postseason round. Pushing his career NASCAR Truck Series total to 19 wins, Heim’s performance further solidifies his dominance on a night where several playoff contenders struggled to keep pace and avoid trouble.
Heim Extends Streak and Secures Playoff Advancement
Fresh off a stretch where he triumphed in four out of the last five races, TRICON’s Corey Heim arrived at Darlington with momentum and walked away with another victory under his belt. As the 2025 NASCAR Truck Playoffs opened, Heim wasted no time in establishing himself as a title favorite, piloting his truck with apparent ease through a challenging and chaotic field.
Heim’s aggressive racing line often brought him dangerously close to the wall, a tactic that paid off especially during the latter portions of the race. Reflecting on his approach and the competition, Heim said,
“I felt like the No. 34 [Riggs] and the No. 38 [Smith] were really good, but I could make a little bit of speed on the wall,”
—Corey Heim, TRICON Driver. Heim added,
“It was such a high-risk play. If you screw up — I mean, you saw so many people have those right-front issues. I put a little pressure on the 34 and he got into it, and we were able to take advantage of it. So proud of these TRICON guys. It feels like I’m in a dream — eight wins this year is phenomenal.”
—Corey Heim, TRICON Driver.
With his eighth win of the year, Heim not only secured a berth in the next playoff round but also sent a clear message to his rivals. Daniel Hemric followed as the runner-up, with Grant Enfinger settling into third. Ty Majeski grabbed fourth, while returning veteran Trevor Bayne, the 2011 Daytona 500 winner, surprised many by finishing fifth in his unexpected visit back to the cockpit.
Top Finishers and Playoff Picture After Darlington
Behind the lead pack, Tanner Hill, Tyler Ankrum, Timmy Hill, Corey Day, and Jake Garcia rounded out the top ten, demonstrating the depth of talent on the grid. Among the playoff contenders, Rajah Caruth finished 12th, Layne Riggs found himself in 17th after a roller coaster night, and Kaden Honeycutt wound up 18th, each facing their own set of on-track challenges. Chandler Smith, another playoff hopeful, ended his evening with a disappointing DNF, putting his postseason prospects in jeopardy.
The playoff standing after Darlington places Smith just two points below the cutoff line, while Honeycutt sits seven points adrift. Jake Garcia currently holds the final transfer spot, making the upcoming rounds especially critical for those on the bubble.
Race Developments: Early Incidents and Strategic Moves
From the opening laps, the race presented a tough test for both playoff and non-playoff drivers. Early on, Chandler Smith collided with the wall, resulting in an unplanned trip behind the garage. Kaden Honeycutt was also forced into an unscheduled green flag pit stop due to a flat tire, further complicating his playoff situation.
Trouble was not exclusive to championship contenders. Seasoned racers Matt Crafton and Matt Mills both smacked the wall, limping to pit road for repairs. Despite his tough luck, Chandler Smith took an optimistic view, downplaying the immediate points loss and expressing confidence in his ability to rebound at upcoming tracks.
Layne Riggs, who started from pole position, looked strong early but was soon reeled in by Heim, who went on to capture the victory in Stage 1. Riggs returned the favor in Stage 2, sneaking a stage win back from Heim, as each jockeyed for crucial points. Both initial stages ran uninterrupted by cautions, allowing pure speed and strategy to shape the field.
Final Stage Drama: Lead Changes and Playoff Implications
The intensity ramped up during Stage 3. Grant Enfinger moved to the front after pit stops at the stage break, but Heim regained command on the restart. As laps ticked down, Riggs surged back into the lead with 36 to go, showcasing grit and determination with a bold pass into Turn 1.
The drama reached a peak with 20 laps remaining, when Riggs, leading at the time, suffered a cut right-front tire and hit the wall. At nearly the same moment, Honeycutt spun following contact with Andres Perez at Turn 4’s exit. This chain of incidents triggered the race’s first natural caution, a pivotal moment that allowed Riggs to retain a top-three position despite adversity.
Repairs proved slow for Riggs, dropping him out of immediate contention, while Heim and Enfinger emerged first and second off pit road for the decisive restart. On the final run, no one could challenge Heim, who powered ahead in clean air and cruised to the finish, celebrating his eighth visit to the winner’s circle in the 2025 season.
What Lies Ahead in the NASCAR Truck Playoffs
Corey Heim’s Darlington triumph not only underscores his prowess on tricky tracks, but also shifts playoff pressure to drivers like Smith, Honeycutt, and Garcia who now find themselves fighting for survival. With momentum firmly behind TRICON’s lead driver, the field must regroup quickly for the coming races, each of which could drastically alter the championship landscape.
As the postseason continues, established stars and up-and-coming talents alike face mounting stakes. How drivers adapt and respond to their Darlington results will shape the path to the NASCAR Truck Series championship, with the Corey Heim Darlington NASCAR Truck win signaling the standard they must surpass.
