Corey Heim claimed his ninth win of the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series season on Saturday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, tying the series record for victories in a single year and reinforcing his dominance in the truck circuit. Securing the Corey Heim ninth Truck win in the 20th race of the season, Heim not only captured both stages but also became the all-time leader in stage victories, making the day a historic one for TRICON Garage and Toyota.
Heim Leads the Field at New Hampshire
Racing at the 1.058-mile oval in New England, Heim led an impressive 124 of the 175 laps behind the wheel of the TRICON Garage No. 11 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro. His performance was both commanding and methodical, setting the tone early in the race and maintaining the lead through the closing laps. Heim’s stage wins brought his career total to 19, the most in NASCAR Truck Series history, showcasing the strength of his team and car preparation.
Standout Performances by Toyota Drivers
Kaden Honeycutt, another Playoff contender driving for Toyota, finished seventh and advanced to the Round of 8 in the NCTS Playoffs alongside Heim. Gio Ruggerio, navigating his first Truck Series start at New Hampshire, delivered a strong fourth-place result, contributing to Toyota’s notable day.
The race, officially the EJP 175, covered 185.15 miles over the scheduled 175 laps. Heim’s win was the key highlight, but the final finishing order for Toyota drivers also included Michael Christopher Jr. in 13th, Brent Crews in 17th, Toni Breidinger in 25th, Tanner Gray in 29th, and Caleb Costner in 33rd. Drivers Chandler Smith (second), Layne Riggs (third), and Ty Majeski (fifth) rounded out the top finishers, though they were piloting non-Toyota vehicles.
Corey Heim Reflects on Record-Breaking Victory
Heim’s latest achievement positions him among the series’ most accomplished competitors. After taking the checkered flag, Heim spoke about the magnitude of his win, acknowledging the evolution of his career and recognizing the collective effort behind his success:
It means the world to me. Looking back five years ago in my career if I could’ve ever imagined that I was first of all even in the Truck Series, but nonetheless being able to compete or tie a record. It just says so much about all the hard work this TRICON organization puts in with their partnership with Toyota and Safelite. Just so honored to be a part of it. So much preparation on my side as well to live up to the equipment that’s given to me. Just had a little bit of an upper leg on these guys coming to New Hampshire last year (for the Xfinity Series race) and having a Cup test a couple weeks ago, but knew that we’re going to have a good shot at it and wanted to live up so that’s what we did.
– Corey Heim, TRICON Garage Driver
Addressing the difficulties he faced during the competition, Heim highlighted the importance of strategy and team support throughout the event at New Hampshire:
Just track position really. We got a little bit fortunate with the way the caution fell in stage two to kind of re-rack and be third in the choose with our awesome pit crew to give us an opportunity at that. Being able to get by the 44 (Andres Perez De Lara) there before the end of stage two was kind of the difference maker I thought. When I was on the fresher tires at the start of stage 2 trying to catch those guys, it was almost impossible to pass even with better tires. That helped a lot and just kind of finished the job off.
– Corey Heim, TRICON Garage Driver
Kaden Honeycutt Advances in the Playoffs
Kaden Honeycutt’s seventh-place finish was pivotal, moving him forward into the next competitive round of the NCTS Playoffs. Honeycutt, representing Halmar Friesen Racing, also reflected on his team’s strategy and the challenges they navigated during the race:
It was a really good job today by this 52 crew. We had a call right there to do two (tires). It was good for a little while, but then I fell off really hard and thankfully got a yellow flag to re-rack and regroup ourselves. It was a really good day. Got some good points. Not really sure where we’ll stack up heading into the next round, but either way going to the Roval it’s about surviving for sure at the Roval and Talladega no doubt. We’ll see what we can approach with and see what we need to do at the Roval to go race by race to hopefully get to Phoenix and challenge for a championship at the end of it.
– Kaden Honeycutt, Halmar Friesen Racing Driver
The Road Ahead for Playoff Contenders
The conclusion of the EJP 175 at New Hampshire marked a significant moment for teams and drivers vying for the Truck Series championship. While Heim’s victory and Honeycutt’s advancement were crucial for Toyota, the competition heats up as the series moves into critical rounds at The Roval and Talladega. With the Playoff field narrowing and each event gaining importance, contenders such as Chandler Smith, Layne Riggs, Ty Majeski, and others will aim to secure their places, while Heim’s record-tying triumph serves as inspiration for the tests ahead.
As the season continues, Corey Heim’s ninth Truck win not only cements his legacy but also elevates the ambitions of his team and partners. With only a few races remaining, the energy and intensity of the title chase are set to increase, providing fans and competitors with plenty to anticipate in the coming weeks.
