Corey Heim further cemented his name in the NASCAR record books by clinching his 10th win of the season during the Craftsman Truck Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s ROVAL, rebounding from early trouble in the event. This triumph, marking a Corey Heim historic Truck Series season, secured his place in the Championship 4 and underscored his dominance as the winningest driver in a single Truck Series campaign.
Heim’s teammate Brent Crews, who led the most laps throughout the day, watched his own hopes fade after late-race developments shifted the momentum, resulting in a TRICON Garage sweep of the podium with Gio Ruggiero finishing third.
How Heim Overcame Adversity at Charlotte’s ROVAL
The opening lap of the race saw drama unfold as Heim became involved in a crash with fellow playoff drivers Grant Enfinger and Layne Riggs. Despite the setback, the No. 11 team repaired the damage, and Heim rejoined the action determined to stay in contention. For most of the day, it appeared Brent Crews would claim victory, posting the fastest lap at 86.666 seconds, leading 55 of 70 laps, and establishing himself as the dominant contender.
However, a caution late in the race—caused by Toni Breidinger’s truck stalling due to a lack of fuel—altered the outcome for the No. 1 team. The unscheduled pit stop forced Crews to restart in seventh position while Heim assumed the lead. In the ensuing chaos behind the front-runners, including multiple incidents involving playoff contenders, Crews navigated up to second, but could not close the gap to Heim, who surged to his 10th win of the season.
TRICON Garage Locks Out the Podium
Gio Ruggiero finished third, completing a parade of TRICON Garage trucks at the front. Connor Zilisch and Rajah Caruth from Spire Motorsports rounded out the top five, as other contenders struggled with crashes and costly mistakes throughout the chaotic race. This 1-2-3 finish for TRICON Garage emphasized the strength of the organization in both strategy and preparation.
Playoff Standings Upended by ROVAL Mayhem
The race proved perilous for many in the playoff hunt, creating a jumbled points situation as the postseason intensifies. Heim’s win ensured his advancement, but the remaining seven playoff drivers—Heim included at one point—faced significant adversity. As the series heads to Talladega Superspeedway, four drivers will be eliminated at the end of the Round of 8, and the margin for error is razor-thin: just five points separate seven competitors vying for three remaining Championship 4 spots.
No driver, aside from Heim in the No. 11 truck, has the luxury of security heading to Talladega, regarded for its unpredictability. All eyes now turn to Phoenix Raceway, where Heim will seek to translate his season-long dominance into a championship.
If NASCAR awarded the championship based on full-season points, Heim would have already clinched the title with a commanding 258-point lead. Due to the playoff format, however, the battle for the championship will not be decided until the laps wind down at Phoenix Raceway.
Brent Crews’ Breakout Run and Rookie Honors
Brent Crews’ performance at the ROVAL was one of the stories of the day: leading the vast majority of laps, capturing the fastest lap award, and finishing second behind his teammate. His relentless pace and composure earned him ‘Rookie of the Race’ distinctions among a field that included a mix of established racers and up-and-coming talent.
The rookie category featured several key names and outcomes:
1. Brent Crews – Finished 2nd; led 55 laps and posted the fastest time, making a strong case for Rookie of the Year candidacy.
2. Ben Maier – Finished 25th in the No. 02.
3. Carter Fartuch – Ended in 34th with the No. 2 truck.
4. Toni Breidinger – Took 30th in the No. 5 after fuel issues triggered the critical late caution.
5. Connor Zilisch – Secured 5th place in the No. 7 for Spire Motorsports.
6. Gio Ruggiero – Claimed 3rd in the No. 17 as another key TRICON finisher.
7. Will Rodgers – Placed 15th piloting the No. 20.
8. Dawson Sutton – Achieved 13th in the No. 26 truck.
9. Frankie Muniz – Was sidelined with an injury (No. 33).
10. Andres Perez – Took 32nd in the No. 44.
11. Wesley Slimp – Finished 27th in the No. 62.
12. Tyler Tomassi – Landed 29th in the No. 69.
13. Connor Mosack – Ended up in 10th with the No. 81.
The diversity and competitiveness of the rookie class have been evident throughout the season, with several drivers making a mark at Charlotte and others planning for 2026.
Reactions and Highlights from the Field
As celebration unfolded in victory lane, Corey Heim expressed his enthusiasm for the team’s dominant performance and a focused mindset heading to Phoenix Raceway:
“10 wins on the season! What a day for our @TRICONGarage @mobil1racing group. All eyes on Pheonix 👊 pic.twitter.com/K1Ai44gqXN”— Corey Heim, Driver
While Heim celebrated, Brent Crews conveyed the disappointment of seeing a potential first career win slip away after leading most of the day. Other drivers, including Connor Zilisch, Rajah Caruth, Grant Enfinger, Kaden Honeycutt, Will Rodgers, Layne Riggs, Matt Crafton, Ben Rhodes, and others, recounted a series of incidents and challenges that underscored the heavy and conflicted nature of the race for those still in the thick of the playoff battle.
Sponsorship and Visuals: Factory Canopies Debuts Striking Paint Scheme
Adding to the excitement, Tanner Gray piloted a vivid green and white No. 15 truck for Factory Canopies at Charlotte, drawing attention for its distinctive appearance on track. Gray’s car stood out on the ROVAL, but despite qualifying 14th and running inside the top 15 for most of the race, mechanical issues ultimately left him 31st at the finish.
“ROVAL ready 😤Tanner will sport a new-look No. 15, repping Factory Canopies at Charlotte 🙌 pic.twitter.com/AJBZ9NveGv”— TRICON Garage, Team
Looking Forward: Superspeedway Challenge at Talladega Ahead
After the dramatic events at the ROVAL, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will move to the high-speed uncertainty of Talladega Superspeedway following a week’s break. The upcoming Love’s RV Stop 225, scheduled for Friday, October 17 at 4 p.m. ET, marks the second race of the Round of 8, with FOX Sports 1 and the NASCAR Racing Network providing live coverage. Defending Talladega winner Grant Enfinger will attempt to defend his crown, while playoff drivers, including rookies like Brent Crews and veterans like Corey Heim, brace for what is often the most unpredictable race of the postseason.
As the playoffs progress, the tension and stakes have reached new heights. Whether Corey Heim can cap off his historic Truck Series season with a championship remains to be seen, but his record-breaking 10th win and locked position in the Championship 4 ensure that he will be the driver to watch as the series’ finale approaches at Phoenix Raceway.
oh wow pic.twitter.com/CrZzfma6IS
— Skid (@WhoisSkid) October 3, 2025
10 wins on the season! What a day for our @TRICONGarage @mobil1racing group. All eyes on Pheonix 👊 pic.twitter.com/K1Ai44gqXN
— Corey Heim (@CoreyHeim_) October 3, 2025
ROVAL ready 😤
Tanner will sport a new-look No. 15, repping Factory Canopies at Charlotte 🙌 pic.twitter.com/AJBZ9NveGv
— TRICON (@TRICONGarage) September 30, 2025
