Ty Majeski, the reigning NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion and driver of the No. 98 Soda Sense Ford F-150 for ThorSport Racing, prepares to defend his title at Phoenix Raceway, aiming to secure Ford Racing’s fourth consecutive series championship. With the season‘s culminating race set in Phoenix, Majeski is eager to make history by becoming the first back-to-back champion since Matt Crafton achieved the feat a decade ago, underscoring the importance of the Ty Majeski NASCAR Truck Championship run for his team and manufacturer.
Majeski’s Mindset Leading Into the Championship Race
Majeski enters Phoenix as the defending Truck Series titleholder, reflecting on the unique pressures and expectations that come with holding the championship. He described his outlook on defending the title, referencing conversations with his wife, Ali, and highlighting the relative calm he feels compared to last year. He shared,
It feels great, honestly. I think there’s some pressure to get that first one. My wife, Ali, and I were talking about it. You want to come here and compete and win at a high level, but I think the disappointment if you aren’t able to accomplish it on Friday is a lot less than maybe what it would have been if you didn’t have one. I’m hungry for another and I’m excited to be here. I feel good, very calm. I feel like a lot less pressure than last year for that reason, so I’m ready to go.
– Ty Majeski, defending champion
Confidence appears to be running high for Majeski, who pointed out his team’s success on similar tracks this season and the lessons drawn from last year’s championship drive.
Very high. The places that we’ve been good at in the past, we’ve been good this season. We were very dominant at Richmond, which I think is probably the closest to this racetrack. I think if we can replicate what we did last year, we’re gonna be really tough Friday night.
– Ty Majeski, defending champion
Facing Formidable Competition from Corey and the Field
A major storyline coming into this year’s finale is the dominant season by Corey, who won 11 races heading into Phoenix, overshadowing much of the field—including Majeski. The steadfast competitor acknowledged Corey’s historic streak but emphasized the opportunity for a level playing field in the championship race, none of Corey’s points rolling over once the green flag drops.
I think he’s overshadowed everybody when you have a season like that and you win 11 races. He’s overshadowed the entire series and credit to them, but we’re here in Phoenix and none of that matters anymore. He’s not carrying any of those playoff points. I caught an interview that he did after Martinsville and he was talking a lot about how it would be a shame if we were able to take it from him and how dumb the format is, so I think we’ve got him right where we want him. I think he’s worried about the 98. I don’t think he wanted to race us this weekend and here we are with another shot at it.
– Ty Majeski, defending champion
Majeski and his crew are not underestimating the competition, but they see the unique, winner-takes-all format as both a challenge and an opening to seize the title regardless of season-long points or past victories.
The Partnership Between Driver and Crew Chief Joe Shear
One of the keys to Majeski’s short track prowess is the long-standing relationship with his crew chief, Joe Shear. Both men credit their shared backgrounds on flat, short tracks across Wisconsin as the foundation for their current run of success in NASCAR.
I think anytime you take Joe and I to a flat short track that’s where we’ve made a living. That’s where he’s been so dominant over the years. Myself on the late model side. This type of racetrack just fits my style, fits his style and us together we’re very potent on this type of racetrack, so I’m excited to see what we’ve got on a flat short track. I like our chances.
– Ty Majeski, defending champion
The duo’s synergy, developed on Wisconsin’s toughest circuits, translates directly to the unique demands of Phoenix Raceway. Majeski highlighted that their ability to “speak the same language,” drawing on decades of collective grassroots racing experiences, gives them an edge.
That Wisconsin slang in racing has kind of got its own little deal up there, so, yeah, we speak the same language. He worked on the same cars that I’m racing now on the late model side and we talk about all that type of stuff and how we can correlate different things from different race tracks that we grew up racing at, and, like I said, it’s made us very potent on these flat short tracks.
– Ty Majeski, defending champion
Adapting to Race Day Changes and Conditions
Preparation for the Phoenix finale includes adapting to dramatic track and weather variables. Practice this year starts two hours earlier, and the prediction of higher daytime temperatures could make for different racing conditions than last year’s championship.
I think quite a bit. I think a lot of things that maybe are being overlooked this year is our race is two hours earlier and the temperature is about 20 degrees warmer than last year, so there’s gonna be changes. It’s gonna be different conditions. A lot of our race is gonna be in the daylight. Although we’re probably end at night, it’s gonna be a lot warmer than last year, so having that same start time, I think we start practice just about the same time the green flag drops tomorrow, so I think you’re gonna be able to take a lot from it, especially once the track gets rubbered in later in the session. It’s gonna be very important to understand the balance of your truck.
– Ty Majeski, defending champion
Majeski and his ThorSport team are committed to approaching the race methodically, willing to depart from their comfort zone in pursuit of the right setup. The focus remains on continuous improvement, regardless of past successes.
I feel like everything changes year to year. There are so many different rules packages. Even from last year with the way they’re attacking some of the body stuff, there are a lot of differences that a lot of people don’t see from the outside looking in, so you’re always chasing, you’re always trying to come up with something new, come up with something better and right when you think you’re the best is exactly when you get beat. We’re digging for more. We’re coming back with a similar setup and a similar truck, but we have a lot of plans throughout practice later this afternoon to deviate from our comfort zone. We’re expecting the 11 to be better than last year and we’re expecting to be better as well.
– Ty Majeski, defending champion
Navigating Championship Pressures and Expectations
Representing Ford as their only driver fighting for a championship this season adds another dimension to the pressure Majeski faces. However, he maintains a focused outlook and sees this as a business-as-usual situation, prepared for the race just as thoroughly as every other event of the season.
Honestly, I haven’t really thought about that. It’s just business as usual for the 98 team. I’m proud to be carrying the Ford flag this weekend and having their only shot at a driver’s championship, but it’s business as usual. We’ve prepared for this race the same as we do all the others, probably even more into this. This truck has been in the windtunnel and was brand new at New Hampshire, so I feel like we have a good piece for this weekend and hopefully we can carry that flag for Ford.
– Ty Majeski, defending champion
As the current champion and the only Ford competitor left in contention, Majeski’s race at Phoenix not only determines individual glory but also stands to extend a manufacturing legacy with Ford’s potential fourth consecutive Truck Series championship.
Underdog Spirit and the Championship Race Format
This season’s championship format has stirred discussion, given that Corey, with a record-setting 11 wins, might leave Phoenix empty-handed due to the “winner-take-all” structure. Majeski accepts this reality, pointing out each competitor must adapt strategy to fit the format presented.
The fact of the matter is you play to the format. If it was a season long format or an eight-race long format, you’re gonna react differently and you’re gonna play your cards differently based on whatever format you’re playing to. This year, it’s one race, winner-take-all. I’m not saying that we didn’t want to win throughout the year. We did. We tried as hard as we could throughout the season, it just hasn’t panned out. Like I said, the fact of the matter is we’re all here with an even slate with an even shot at winning a title and I’m excited about that.
– Ty Majeski, defending champion
He believes the winner-take-all approach removes any prior advantage, returning the four title contenders—regardless of their season’s performance—to a zeroed-out scorecard for one decisive night.
Racing Roots and Late Model Lessons
Majeski credits much of his proficiency at flat tracks to his background in late model racing throughout Wisconsin, echoing that both he and Joe Shear “cut their teeth” in the same communities and on the same type of circuits.
I think we just come from similar backgrounds. There are those types of race tracks all over Wisconsin, so we have similar backgrounds on the racetracks we grew up at together. He was obviously maybe 30 years before me, but we learned and cut our teeth at the same places, and I just feel like we can correlate a lot of those racetracks to the racetracks we go to on this schedule and it makes us very difficult to beat.
– Ty Majeski, defending champion
The synergy from decades of combined racing in the region creates what Majeski describes as a unique competitive advantage at places like Phoenix and Richmond.
I think Joe and I come from similar backgrounds and understand what it takes to go fast on these types of racetracks. We can correlate racetracks that we both grew up racing at and take some things from those places and apply it to some of the tracks we go to on the NASCAR circuit. I think that’s one of the things that makes us so potent on the short tracks is just having a lot of that experience. Although we’ve come from different eras, we’ve raced at the same places growing up, and I think that is a lot of the reason why we’ve been so successful on these types of places.
– Ty Majeski, defending champion
Experience, Preparation, and the Phoenix Weekend Atmosphere
Beyond the technical aspects, Majeski enjoys established traditions with his team and fellow drivers, such as a pre-race dinner in Cave Creek, lending a degree of relaxation and camaraderie to the busy championship weekend.
We had dinner last night up in Cave Creek with Duke and Rhonda and the other drivers. It’s the same thing we do every Wednesday night when we all fly in. We have dinner with the rest of the team and it kind of kicks off the fun weekend.
– Ty Majeski, defending champion
He also encourages both seasoned fans and those new to NASCAR to experience all that Phoenix Raceway offers, noting the event’s vibrant Fan Zone and high-energy race day atmosphere.
First of all, this facility is just fantastic. I think this is one of the nicest racetracks and facilities we go to on the circuit, so try to experience everything. The Fan Zone inside the infield is awesome, especially on race day. The atmosphere is just up-tempo here and that’s one thing I like about it.
– Ty Majeski, defending champion
Racing with Respect and Reflecting on the Season
Looking back on the current Truck Series campaign, Majeski complimented the quality of racing throughout the year and the respect shown among competitors—particularly highlighting the growth of the sport’s rookies.
I think it’s actually been very good this year. We haven’t had many races that I can think of that really turned into big messes, so that’s good obviously. We’ve seen the Truck Series at times do that in the past, and I feel like this group is honestly really respectful for the most part. We race each other hard and there are certain guys out there that you know are gonna race you harder than others, but that’s in any series, so, overall, I thought this year has been very respectful. All of the rookies have done a great job at earning respect throughout the field, and I don’t expect this race to be any different.
– Ty Majeski, defending champion
He expects the respectful tone to continue into the championship, even with the high stakes on the line, and feels that the collective approach of the grid this season has been a positive change for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
Strategic Decisions and High-Pressure Moments
Majeski addressed tactical considerations for the final restart of the race and the importance of positioning, emphasizing an aggressive approach to be in control of his championship destiny.
Great question. I think it depends on who it is and what the situation is, of course. You definitely probably want to be on offense more than you are on defense, especially if there’s somebody that close to you, so I’d like to be in the driver’s seat on the bottom, probably, if I had the choice.
– Ty Majeski, defending champion
With the championship potentially hinging on a last-lap dash, Majeski’s comments reflect his intent to assert control and maximize opportunities during the race’s most intense moments.
Pride, Perspective, and Career Arc
The chance to compete as a champion has led Majeski to reflect on his career’s journey, noting how he has had to forge his own path without major financial backing—often relying on hard-earned opportunities and key supporters to reach NASCAR’s elite ranks.
Yeah. I think about that quite often. It’s crazy what I’ve gone through in my career. I know a lot of guys have had hardships like I have, and I think the difference between myself and others is I haven’t had a way to pave another path. I’ve had to earn those other opportunities. I haven’t been able to land a huge sponsor or come from a lot of money, where I can like, ‘Oh, I’m gonna go try this next year.’ It’s always been, ‘what door can I possibly open and land something else to keep my career moving.’ Yeah, there are a couple of key people that have helped me in important parts of my career when it could have easily been over that kind of bridged the gap to the next opportunity, and I’m thankful for those opportunities and was able to make the most of them at the right time and propel myself into this opportunity with ThorSport.
– Ty Majeski, defending champion
This resilience and gratitude position Majeski as a role model among his fellow drivers, with the chance to further cement his legacy with another series championship.
Looking Beyond Phoenix: Offseason and Ongoing Ambition
After the conclusion of the Truck Series championship, Majeski has a full offseason schedule planned, ready to compete in marquee late model races such as the All-American 400, the Big Lou Memorial Race, and the Snowball Derby. He conveys the same anticipation and confidence for these events as he does for the championship race.
We’re gonna go down to the All-American 400 next weekend. We’ll be down there for that and then we’ll do the Big Lou Memorial Race Thanksgiving weekend and then the Snowball Derby the following weekend.
– Ty Majeski, defending champion
Great. Anytime we go to the racetrack in a late model I feel like I have a chance to win, no different than the Truck Series. I’m thankful to have the opportunity to drive great race trucks and great race cars and have a shot to win every time I step in a race vehicle. That’s something not a lot of people can say, so I’m very thankful for that.
– Ty Majeski, defending champion
His ongoing drive to compete and to win, regardless of the series or circumstance, underlines the competitive fire that has brought him to this pinnacle moment in his NASCAR career.
What Winning Another Championship Would Mean
Capturing a second consecutive championship would have special significance for Majeski, not only in etching his name in the NASCAR record books, but also by defeating an opponent as dominant as Corey and delivering the title for Ford. He looks forward to the impact such a win would have both on and off the track.
It would be great. Social media would just explode and I’m here for all of it. I think that would be fantastic. Obviously, there would be a lot of interesting comments. I love that. I love stirring the pot a little bit, and I’d love to be the guy that did that.
– Ty Majeski, defending champion
The Road Ahead
As race day approaches, Majeski remains composed and optimistic, drawing on his championship experience to guide him through the weekend’s pressures. He trusts in his preparation and his team, believing that their approach and legacy on flat tracks position them as the ones to beat.
I don’t know. I was talking about that with my wife, and I feel like you always want that first championship. Your goal as a young racer is to be a champion, and I feel like we’ve checked that box off and we’re here again, and I feel like there’s a lot less pressure that I feel on my shoulders this weekend. I feel real, loose, calm, collected. I’ve been here before, done this, and I think that experience will pay off in high-pressure situations on Friday.
– Ty Majeski, defending champion
Regardless of Friday night’s outcome at Phoenix Raceway, Ty Majeski’s blend of Midwest short track roots, current NASCAR prowess, and his ongoing relationship with crew chief Joe Shear continue to define ThorSport Racing’s ongoing championship ambitions—and will shape the narrative of the Ty Majeski NASCAR Truck Championship for this season and beyond.
