Corey Heim once again proved why he’s a dominant force in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, claiming the pole for Saturday’s Team EJP 175 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Driving the No. 11 Safelite Toyota Tundra TRD Pro for TRICON Garage, Heim posted the only qualifying lap under 29 seconds, edging out Ford Racing drivers Chandler Smith, Ty Majeski, and Layne Riggs. With playoff implications looming and several trucks vying for advancement, the field is set for a competitive 175-lap showdown at the Magic Mile.
Key Highlights
- Corey Heim earns his sixth 2025 Truck Series pole and 13th career pole.
- Chandler Smith qualifies P2 in a critical playoff battle.
- Layne Riggs and Ty Majeski start P4 and P3, continuing strong playoff runs.
- Mike Christopher, Jr. debuts in the No. 62 Toyota for Halmar Friesen Racing.
- Only 33 of 36 trucks posted qualifying times due to practice incidents and mechanical issues.
Corey Heim Dominates Qualifying
Heim’s pole-winning lap of 28.946 seconds, averaging 131.583 mph, was the fastest among the 33 trucks to post times. Teammate Tanner Gray will start fifth, providing TRICON Garage strong representation in the top-five. Heim reflected on his effort post-qualifying:
“Yeah, I really thought our fire-off speed was our strong suit, so I felt pretty good about qualifying. It was mostly the kind of consistent race runs that we were doing that I could have felt better about, and I still kind of have that same mindset. But being on the pole here, as most drivers know, is a pretty big deal just with how hard it is to pass. I got behind a couple of guys in practice, and it was really tough to get by them.” – Corey Heim
Heim’s sixth pole of the season ties him with Austin Dillon for eighth on the all-time Truck Series list, underscoring his consistency on short tracks like New Hampshire. His speed and experience place him in a strong position to control the race from the front.
Playoff Drivers Spread Throughout the Field
Chandler Smith sits P2 in a must-win situation to advance in the Truck Series Playoffs, while Layne Riggs starts P4, hoping to challenge Heim for victory. Other playoff drivers include Rajah Caruth in 12th, Daniel Hemric in 13th, Kaden Honeycutt in 15th, and Grant Enfinger in 16th. Patrick Emerling, in the No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet, will start 22nd as part of the Owner’s Playoffs.
The distribution of playoff contenders across the field sets up potential battles throughout the race, as drivers work to navigate traffic and position themselves for late-race contention. Smith and Riggs, both capable of winning, could have a decisive impact on the playoff picture depending on how the race unfolds.
Debut and Challenges for Other Drivers
Saturday will also mark the NASCAR Truck Series debut for Mike Christopher, Jr., nephew of the late New England racing legend Ted Christopher. He will start 29th in the No. 62 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro for Halmar Friesen Racing.
Several drivers were unable to post qualifying laps due to practice incidents or mechanical issues. Tyler Tomassi (No. 33) struggled in practice, preventing the RBR team from hitting the track. Derek White (No. 69 O.C.R. GAZ BAR Ford) contacted the outside wall at Turn 2, while Caleb Costner (No. 74 Toyota) could not start his engine, relegating them to the back of the field.
Top-10 Starters Set the Stage
The top-10 lineup is led by Heim, with Chandler Smith, Ty Majeski, Layne Riggs, and Tanner Gray completing the front-five. Matt Crafton, Brent Crews, Corey LaJoie, Jake Garcia, and Tyler Ankrum round out the remaining top-10 starters. With passing difficult on the one-mile flat oval, starting position will be critical for drivers seeking a race victory and playoff advancement.
| Pos | # | Driver | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11 | Corey Heim (P) | 131.583 |
| 2 | 38 | Chandler Smith (P) | 131.324 |
| 3 | 98 | Ty Majeski (P) | 131.198 |
| 4 | 34 | Layne Riggs (P) | 131.058 |
| 5 | 15 | Tanner Gray | 130.184 |
| 6 | 88 | Matt Crafton | 130.171 |
| 7 | 1 | Brent Crews | 130.086 |
| 8 | 77 | Corey LaJoie | 129.843 |
| 9 | 13 | Jake Garcia (P) | 129.754 |
| 10 | 18 | Tyler Ankrum (P) | 129.657 |
| 11 | 81 | Connor Mosack | 129.635 |
| 12 | 71 | Rajah Caruth (P) | 129.573 |
| 13 | 19 | Daniel Hemric (P) | 129.423 |
| 14 | 17 | Gio Ruggiero | 129.270 |
| 15 | 52 | Kaden Honeycutt (P) | 129.090 |
| 16 | 9 | Grant Enfinger (P) | 129.024 |
| 17 | 99 | Ben Rhodes | 128.745 |
| 18 | 41 | Conner Jones | 128.472 |
| 19 | 91 | Jack Wood | 128.217 |
| 20 | 44 | Andres Perez De Lara | 128.212 |
| 21 | 26 | Dawson Sutton | 128.143 |
| 22 | 7 | Patrick Emerling | 128.139 |
| 23 | 45 | Bayley Currey | 127.958 |
| 24 | 42 | Matt Mills | 127.444 |
| 25 | 5 | Toni Breidinger | 125.512 |
| 26 | 20 | Mason Massey | 123.871 |
| 27 | 76 | Spencer Boyd | 123.662 |
| 28 | 16 | Christian Eckes | 123.430 |
| 29 | 62 | Michael Christopher, Jr. | 123.410 |
| 30 | 22 | Blake Lothian | 123.027 |
| 31 | 02 | Jayson Alexander | 121.979 |
| 32 | 6 | Norm Benning | 113.889 |
| 33 | 2 | Stephen Mallozzi | 111.368 |
| 34 | 69 | Derek White | 0.000 |
| 35 | 74 | Caleb Costner | 0.000 |
| 36 | 33 | Tyler Tomassi | 0.000 |
News in Brief: Team EJP 175 Starting Grid Set at New Hampshire
Corey Heim captured the pole for the NASCAR Truck Series Team EJP 175 at New Hampshire, posting the only sub-29-second qualifying lap. Chandler Smith starts P2 in a must-win scenario, while Layne Riggs and Ty Majeski begin P4 and P3, keeping playoff implications in play. Tanner Gray rounds out the top-five, with Matt Crafton, Brent Crews, Corey LaJoie, Jake Garcia, and Tyler Ankrum completing the top-10. Debuting driver Mike Christopher, Jr. will start 29th. The race airs Saturday at Noon ET on FS1, NASCAR Racing Network, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.
ALSO READ: NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Entry List Revealed for Intense EJP 175!
