TRICON Garage has secured a new multi-year extension with Toyota, maintaining its status as a leading team in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series ahead of the championship race at Phoenix Raceway. The TRICON Garage Toyota partnership continues a thriving collaboration that positions both operations for ongoing success in the series.
Agreement Ensures Stability for Flagship NASCAR Team
TRICON Garage fields four full-time Toyota Tundra TRD Pro trucks driven by Corey Heim, Tanner Gray, and Toyota development rookies Gio Ruggiero and Toni Breidinger, along with a fifth part-time entry piloted by multiple drivers throughout the season. The official announcement appeared on the team’s Instagram, emphasizing the strengthened bond between TRICON and Toyota GAZOO Racing North America.
“There’s plenty more to come. 🤝 TRICON has signed a multi-year contract extension with [TOYOTA GAZOO Racing North America] to continue serving as its flagship NCTS operation.”
TRICON Garage’s partner and general manager, Kevin Ray, shared his appreciation for the renewed commitment with Toyota.
“It has been a pleasure to work alongside Toyota for the last three seasons. We are beyond excited to extend our partnership for multiple years and appreciate the support and trust Toyota has in TRICON to represent their program at the highest level on and off the track.”
Tracing back to its 2017 formation, the team originally raced under different names before evolving into TRICON Garage. After initially running Toyota trucks in 2018 and 2019, executives transitioned to Ford in 2020, only to return to Toyota in 2023 amid a team rebrand. The new deal reaffirms a relationship that has seen growth and renewed focus on competitive performance at top-tier NASCAR events.
Experienced Racing Talent Bolsters TRICON Garage’s Legacy
Team leadership continues enhancing its competitive edge, recently announcing that seasoned crew chief Jeff Stankiewicz joined the competition staff. Stankiewicz, who brings an ARCA title and several Truck Series wins—including tenures at CR7 Motorsports—was hired earlier this week to help lead TRICON into its newest phase. This strategic move underscores the organization’s dedication to performance and technical excellence, key elements that underpin its ongoing partnership with Toyota.
Corey Heim and Team Drivers Deliver Standout Truck Series Season
Corey Heim, piloting the No. 11 truck, has led TRICON Garage’s charge with a record-setting performance. With 11 victories and only two finishes outside the top 10 this season, Heim not only broke the single-season win record but also played a major role in clinching the Manufacturer’s Championship for Toyota last week at the Virginia short track. At Martinsville Speedway, Heim led 77 laps, securing a tight victory over Kaden Honeycutt in overtime by just 0.451 seconds.
In the No. 15 entry, Tanner Gray marked a career milestone by finishing second at Pocono Raceway in June and clocking the fastest lap during the Michigan session. Meanwhile, rookie Gio Ruggiero achieved his first series win at Talladega Superspeedway after starting from pole and leading 37 laps. Ruggiero narrowly missed the playoffs by 31 points, despite strong results through the year. Toni Breidinger, another rookie, has shown perseverance behind the wheel, with her best finish so far being 18th at Rockingham.
Long-Term Collaboration Sets High Expectations
The renewed TRICON Garage Toyota partnership cements Toyota’s ongoing support of one of NASCAR’s most dynamic teams. This deal, involving key figures such as Kevin Ray, Corey Heim, and recent recruit Jeff Stankiewicz, is poised to maintain TRICON’s role within the Toyota GAZOO Racing North America development pipeline and ensure its presence at the forefront of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. As competition intensifies and the championship race approaches at Phoenix Raceway, the strengthened alliance is likely to shape both the future of the team and the outlook for Toyota in North American truck racing.
