Corey Heim‘s championship race performance was under the spotlight during the final practice session for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway. Despite ranking lowest among the Championship 4 in single-lap speed, Heim demonstrated notable long-run pace, positioning himself as a key contender ahead of the main event on Friday night.
Final Practice Session Brings Mixed Results for Top Drivers
As Friday night’s decisive race approached, Championship 4 contender Ty Majeski led the final 50-minute practice session with the quickest single lap, clocking in at 26.913 seconds. Majeski, last season‘s titleholder, maintained a composed presence during Thursday’s media engagements and carried that confidence into his practice performance, edging out Layne Riggs by just 0.010 seconds. Riggs, aiming for Front Row Motorsports to take the Owner’s Championship, showcased solid pace in second place.
The rest of the top five in single-lap speeds included Brent Crews, Rajah Caruth, and Gio Ruggiero. Fellow contenders for the season title posted varied results: Tyler Ankrum secured the seventh-fastest time, Kaden Honeycutt came in twelfth, and Corey Heim, widely considered the championship frontrunner, was fifteenth on the single-lap leaderboard.
Heim Shines in Long-Run Performance
While Heim’s single-lap speed trailed behind his rivals, his consistent pace over longer stints stood out. Driving the No. 11 TRICON Garage Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, Heim recorded the fastest 10-lap consecutive average in the session, outperforming all other drivers. In the five-lap averages category, Heim was the fastest among the Championship 4, placing fourth overall with an average of 27.60 seconds.
Kaden Honeycutt, another championship hopeful, was second-fastest among the finalists in the five-lap runs at 27.76 seconds. Tyler Ankrum followed at 27.89 seconds, while Ty Majeski, despite his top single lap time, had the slowest five-lap average among the title contenders with 28.14 seconds. This data suggests Heim’s race setup prioritizes consistency, especially during extended green-flag runs, which could prove decisive in Friday’s night race.
Anticipation Builds for Championship Decider
With one last practice completed and qualifying still on the horizon, the stage is set for an intense championship showdown. Ty Majeski appears well-placed for a strong qualifying bid, but Heim’s demonstrated endurance during long sequences gives him a strategic advantage as the race approaches. Much remains uncertain before the green flag waves, yet Heim’s long-run capability marks him as a favorite to claim the season title.
The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship Race is scheduled for Friday, October 31, at Phoenix Raceway. Fans can watch the action unfold live on FS1 from 7:30 PM ET, while the NASCAR Radio Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio will offer comprehensive radio coverage of the event. With drivers like Layne Riggs, Rajah Caruth, Kaden Honeycutt, Tyler Ankrum, and Brent Crews in the mix, and key organizations including TRICON Garage and Front Row Motorsports in contention, the evening promises high stakes and drama as the championship battle reaches its conclusion.
