The stage is set for the 2025 NASCAR Truck Series Championship, as four drivers have emerged from a tightly contested Round of 8 at Martinsville and will compete for the title at Phoenix Raceway next weekend. The lineup includes Corey Heim, Ty Majeski, Tyler Ankrum, and Kaden Honeycutt, each bringing a unique story into this all-important race.
Race to the Championship: How the Final Four Emerged
A razor-thin margin separated the contenders in Martinsville’s cutoff race, with Kaden Honeycutt narrowly edging out Layne Riggs for the last championship slot thanks to a tiebreaker. Corey Heim continued his remarkable season by clinching another win, underscoring his dominance and further cementing his status as a formidable favorite heading into Phoenix.
The four drivers advancing are a mix of past champions, rising stars, and determined underdogs, each representing a different team and manufacturer—TRICON Garage Toyota, ThorSport Racing Ford, McAnally-Hilgemann Racing Chevrolet, and Halmar-Friesen Racing Toyota. Their paths through the playoffs highlight a variety of successes and challenges, contributing to high anticipation ahead of the championship showdown.
Corey Heim: Dominant Force Seeks First Title
Corey Heim of TRICON Garage Toyota enters the final with a season for the record books. He captured 11 wins, scored 18 top-five finishes, and boasts an average finish of 5.2. Heim has made the Championship 4 for a third consecutive year, previously finishing as high as second in 2024. He shattered a Truck Series wins record that stretched back to the 1990s, and his more than 1,500 laps led place him in a class of his own compared to this year’s field. Heim stands out as the clear statistical favorite, having secured his Phoenix entry before the elimination race even began. If he claims victory at Phoenix Raceway, it would cap one of the most dominant seasons in Truck Series history.
Ty Majeski: Defending Champion Eyes Back-to-Back Titles
Ty Majeski of ThorSport Racing Ford enters as the reigning series champion and the only driver representing Ford. Although he has not won a race in 2025, his consistency earned him 9 top-fives and 17 top-tens, with an average finish of 10.2. Majeski made it into the Championship 4 by just one point, echoing his ability to perform under pressure much like Matt Crafton, who won back-to-back championships with ThorSport in 2013 and 2014. Majesty’s experience at Phoenix Raceway and his proven championship mettle make him a contender, even without a race trophy this season.
Tyler Ankrum: Consistent Challenger Ready for Breakthrough
Representing Chevrolet and McAnally-Hilgemann Racing, Tyler Ankrum makes his first-ever appearance in the Truck Series finale after seven straight seasons as a full-time competitor. Ankrum ended a six-year winless draught earlier in 2025, closing the season with one win, 8 top-fives, and 15 top-tens. His best previous championship result was eighth—achieved in both 2019 and 2024. As Team Chevy’s last hope for a title this year, Ankrum arrives at Phoenix ready to capitalize on his breakthrough and vie for his first championship victory.
Kaden Honeycutt: Unexpected Contender Overcomes Adversity
Kaden Honeycutt, now driving for Halmar-Friesen Racing Toyota, made the Championship 4 under extraordinary circumstances. Beginning the season with Niece Motorsports, his first as a full-time driver, Honeycutt was released midway through the year after his decision to sign with a different manufacturer for 2026. In a stroke of fate, Halmar-Friesen Racing needed a replacement after Stewart Friesen was sidelined by injury, leading to Honeycutt joining the team. Despite never winning a Truck race, Honeycutt secured 3 top-fives, 13 top-tens, and an average finish of 13.2. His resilience and ability to make the final four without a victory have made him an underdog story to watch in Phoenix.
Looking Toward a High-Stakes Finale at Phoenix Raceway
Phoenix Raceway will once again host the championship showdown, with the four drivers representing Toyota, Ford, and Chevrolet all hoping to leave their mark on the 2025 NASCAR Truck Series Championship. Corey Heim’s dominance is set against Ty Majeski’s champion experience, Tyler Ankrum’s consistent climb and breakthrough moment, and Kaden Honeycutt’s remarkable rise amid significant challenges. As the race approaches, each finalist brings compelling storylines, raising anticipation for what could be a memorable and defining showdown in the Truck Series history.
