Kaden Honeycutt is preparing to challenge Corey Heim, the current points leader, in the NASCAR Truck Series finale at Phoenix Raceway, eager to make a statement against Tricon Garage’s No. 11 Toyota. As the final championship race approaches, the attention is on whether Honeycutt can overcome Heim, a central figure in the Corey Heim NASCAR Truck Series rivalry, and seize the championship title.
Underdog Confidence Heading Into the Finale
At 22, Kaden Honeycutt of Texas and his Halmar Friesen Racing team clinched the last spot in the 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship Race after a tense showdown at Martinsville Speedway. Honeycutt narrowly secured his place by winning a tiebreaker over Layne Riggs, his strong second-place finish providing the final push needed to reach Phoenix. Although Honeycutt has not secured a win this season, he enters the championship round with 13 top-10s and three top-5s, demonstrating consistency and determination.
Corey Heim, meanwhile, remains the frontrunner with a season marked by dominant numbers: 11 wins, seven pole positions, and 18 top-5 finishes. He stands just ahead of Honeycutt in the standings and has consistently been the benchmark for competitors throughout the campaign.
Preparations and Expectations for Phoenix Raceway
As teams prepare for a critical 50-minute practice session at Phoenix Raceway, Fox Sports reporter Bob Pockrass questioned Honeycutt about his ability to match Heim’s speed. Honeycutt expressed confidence in his team’s tireless efforts, stating:
“Yeah. I feel like this HFR crew has done extremely a lot of work to match the 11 speed, if not try to exceed it. We’ve been trying to exceed it for the last seven weeks, and we haven’t done it yet, but we’ve been extremely close,” Kaden Honeycutt said.
“So I feel like for Phoenix, of how hard these guys have been working, we’re bringing our best truck that we have raced the last eight races with, and we’ll just see if we can go up and challenge him and the other three as well. I think it’ll be a really good race between all of us,” he added.
Honeycutt’s challenge in Arizona will not be limited to Corey Heim. He will also contend with Tyler Ankrum and last year’s series champion, Ty Majeski, making the finale a four-way battle for the title on the renowned one-mile oval in Avondale, Arizona. Honeycutt’s prior experience at Phoenix is encouraging—three top-10 results in as many career starts, including a seventh-place finish in last year’s championship event.
Heim’s Perspective and Past Struggles
Despite his successful season, Corey Heim has faced challenges at Phoenix. Last season, he finished second after falling short of Ty Majeski’s pace and incurring an unexpected penalty. Reflecting on his progress ahead of this year’s event, Heim commented:
“I’ve definitely, significantly gotten better on those style racetracks, so I think me personally, team aside, truck aside, I think I’ve gotten better. I think that’s going to make up for some of my lack of speed last year.”
Honeycutt remains focused solely on winning, emphasizing his drive and the dedication of his team as the decisive race approaches.
Adapting to Change and Strengthening Team Bonds
Kaden Honeycutt’s journey through the season has been marked by adaptation. He began the year racing for Niece Motorsports in the No. 45 truck but was released after signing a future deal with a different manufacturer. To stay eligible for the playoffs, he made a single start with Young’s Motorsports before Halmar Friesen Racing brought him on as a substitute in mid-August for the remainder of the season.
Since joining HFR, Honeycutt has found a supportive environment and expressed his desire to reward the team’s efforts with a win in the championship finale. He told Pockrass:
“I just want to win this race, the championship more so than myself, because they definitely deserve it, especially the circumstance that we’ve been dealt with this year,” Kaden Honeycutt said.
Anticipation Builds for the Truck Series Championship Showdown
The climactic 150-lap NASCAR Truck Series championship race at Phoenix Raceway begins at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, following qualifying at 3:35 p.m. ET. With competitors like Layne Riggs, Tyler Ankrum, Ty Majeski, and the formidable Corey Heim in the spotlight, the championship is poised for a fierce contest that could redefine the Corey Heim NASCAR Truck Series narrative. Motorsport fans and those following the progress of teams such as Halmar Friesen Racing and Tricon Garage are expected to witness an eventful finale, as drivers and crews give their all on one of the season’s most critical nights.
As the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship Race approaches, all eyes are on whether Kaden Honeycutt’s resilience and team spirit can outpace Corey Heim’s record-setting performance, highlighting a season filled with unpredictability and fierce competition at Phoenix.
Kaden Honeycutt thinks the Halmar Friesen team can bring a truck to match the speed of Corey Heim. His thoughts of what it will take to win the title as well as how integrated he has been in the HFR organization the last couple months. @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/zdocTL3Qs2
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) October 30, 2025
Corey Heim didn't have the speed last year to match Ty Majeski and also got a rare penalty for going to the apron before the start-finish line. How he plans to avoid both of those things this year in the championship race: @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/bLLL9XJwfB
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) October 30, 2025
