NASCAR Drivers News

Corey Heim Wins Slim Jim 200, Sets Up Thrilling Title Fight

By Simran Kaur
Corey Heim wins Slim Jim 200
Corey Heim celebrates victory at the Slim Jim 200. [Image Source: CATCHFENCE]

Corey Heim wins Slim Jim 200 after a commanding performance at Martinsville Speedway on Friday night, holding off intense competition and setting up a dramatic showdown for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship at Phoenix Raceway on October 31. With this eleventh victory of the season, Heim remains cautious about his upcoming title bid, even as fans and competitors recognize his dominance throughout the season.

After crossing the finish line first in the Round 8 finale, Heim addressed the speculation about his championship prospects but maintained a measured outlook on the coming challenge at Phoenix.

“I don’t want to jump to any conclusions yet,”

— Corey Heim, Driver

“We got a big race next week.”

— Corey Heim, Driver

The Road to the Championship 4 Narrowly Decided

This season has seen Corey Heim lead the field with eleven appearances in Victory Lane, while the battle for the remaining Championship 4 places came down to razor-thin margins. Four drivers vied for the final three spots, with reigning champion Ty Majeski and Tyler Ankrum squeezing through just one point ahead of Kaden Honeycutt and Layne Riggs, who had started from the pole position in Friday’s race. Honeycutt was able to advance under tiebreaker rules, exemplifying the high-pressure environment that defined this round.

The official NASCAR Trucks social media team captured the prevailing intensity and collective ambition of the core contenders.

“Four drivers.
One goal: Be first to the finish line. pic.twitter.com/SWzQ6JlDrm” — NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks)

Niece Motorsports Achieves a Milestone

Friday’s event was significant not only for the championship implications but also for Niece Motorsports, an organization that has now marked 600 starts in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. This achievement, second only to one active team in total starts, underscores the team’s longstanding commitment and presence in the competition, with 55 drivers having raced for the team across ten seasons.

“10 Seasons55 Drivers600 Starts
Tonight, we make history taking the green for our 600th @NASCAR_Trucks start — the second-highest of active organizations in the series👏
Thankful for everyone who helped us reach this milestone!#PressTheAttack | #NieceDecade | #TeamChevy pic.twitter.com/NYgNudsF8O” — Niece Motorsports (@NieceMotorsport)

Casey Mears Makes His NASCAR Truck Series Debut

Cup Series veteran Casey Mears participated in his first-ever Truck Series race, following initial practice laps at Martinsville that marked his debut in this division. Mears took a moment to chat with Norm Benning before the race began, later describing his truck as “super tight” after qualifying.

“Chatting with NORM before we share the track this afternoon.#NASCAR #SlimJim200 pic.twitter.com/HsM0yqsBly” — Garage 66 & MBM Motorsports (@MBMMotorsports)

The Action Begins: Key Moments from the Race

As the field took the green flag at Martinsville, the stakes were clear—advance to the Championship 4 or face elimination from the title fight. The race featured early three-wide racing, which proved costly for Andres Perez De Lara, who spun out along Turn 4 on Lap 7 after contact with Matt Crafton during a battle for thirteenth position. The incident sent De Lara into the outside wall and provided an early caution for the field.

“Advance to the #Championship4 or face elimination.
The green flag flies at @MartinsvilleSwy, live on FS1! #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/P6XLHCqqNX” — NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks)

“Going three-wide at @MartinsvilleSwy NEVER ends well. pic.twitter.com/z0r1e5W2vD” — NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks)

Race Developments Shake Up Final Four Prospects

Just before Lap 29, Layne Riggs mis-shifted during a restart, causing a pileup in the inside lane and giving Ty Majeski the chance to seize the lead. This development also resulted in Daniel Hemric suffering notable rear-end damage. Hemric’s difficulties only intensified as his truck began leaking thirteen laps later, forcing unscheduled pit stops. He ultimately fell far below the playoff cutline after finishing laps down.

“The No. 34 can’t get going on the restart! @TyMajeski and @CoreyHeim_ capitalize! pic.twitter.com/Jh3MX35CZA” — NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks)

“Things continue to get worse for @DanielHemric.
The No. 19 truck has major damage. #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/BMpp3IFRbO” — NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks)

Heim Dominates Stages and Rivals Respond

Midway through the event, Corey Heim overtook Ty Majeski on Lap 48, sweeping to his twentieth stage victory of the season and later capturing Stage 2 as well. It was the seventh time this season Heim swept both stages in a single race, reinforcing his status as the driver to beat while others struggled to keep up with his sheer pace.

“He’s got the truck and speed to beat!
This is the seventh time @CoreyHeim_ has swept both stages in 2025. pic.twitter.com/hpQp6DOEZv” — NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks)

Elsewhere, Rajah Caruth‘s bid for the final four ended dramatically as he finished 71 laps down and placed thirty-fourth, missing out on a championship slot by 28 points.

“The No. 71 goes around in Turn 1! @rajahcaruth_’s #Championship4 hopes are in jeopardy. pic.twitter.com/Hi04MH19eG” — NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks)

Late Incidents Add to the Martinsville Intensity

Race winner last week, Giovanni Ruggiero, was involved in a late-race incident that affected Connor Mosack, pushing him out of lead contention. Ruggiero managed to finish second, while Mosack dropped to the twenty-sixth position. Majeski survived an encounter with the wall late in the race, falling from sixth to eighth before rallying back to second place, preserving his chance at back-to-back championships.

“There’s a bump! There’s a spin!
We will get a restart at @MartinsvilleSwy with less than 20 laps to go! #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/7JidaI2LPg” — NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks)

“There may be an issue on @TyMajeski’s truck. pic.twitter.com/gtjB48mKmx” — NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks)

A separate spin involving Connor Jones, De Lara, Dawson Sutton, and Jack Garcia along the backstretch on Lap 195 forced another caution and kept the tension running high in the closing laps.

“There’s trouble down the backstretch! pic.twitter.com/qPnjX62tyb” — NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks)

Celebration and What Lies Ahead

Corey Heim capped off his achievement with a victory burnout—his eleventh of the year—before the attention turned to the final standings and what awaits the playoff contenders at Phoenix Raceway. As confirmed by the official series account, Kaden Honeycutt advances to the Championship 4 on tiebreaker, cementing a lineup that promises a closely contested battle for the coveted title in Arizona.

“He’s got a lot of practice doing this. pic.twitter.com/aiBM60ng4h” — NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks)

“It doesn’t get any closer than this.👀@KadenWHoneycutt advances to the #Championship4 based on the tiebreaker. pic.twitter.com/yBUjq1XUAL” — NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks)

All eyes now move to Phoenix Raceway, where Corey Heim, Ty Majeski, Kaden Honeycutt, and Tyler Ankrum will compete for the series championship. Heim, while recognized as the driver to watch, remains measured about expectations as the dynamic battle for the title comes to its climax. For organizations like Niece Motorsports and talented individuals from Cup Series veterans to rookies, the 2025 season continues to deliver compelling storylines and milestone achievements, promising further drama in the final race of the year.

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