Corey Heim secured the Corey Heim NASCAR Truck championship on Friday night at Phoenix Raceway, clinching the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series title with a dramatic double-overtime victory. Heim’s win concluded a remarkable season, marked by intense competition and high drama in Avondale, Arizona.
Heim Overcomes Pressure and Overtime Challenges
The 23-year-old driver for 23XI Racing entered the final race feeling the pressure of chasing his first series championship. Heim reflected on the stressful journey since reaching the championship race, expressing relief after crossing the finish line.
“I was so stressed out ever since we went to the Roval,”
Heim said regarding his path to the title-deciding event.
“I’ve been, like, so terrible to talk to as a person, so stressed out. This is just such a relief, to say the least.”
— Corey Heim, Driver
During the closing laps, Heim’s championship hopes were momentarily in question when a late caution pushed the race into overtime. The majority of the field chose to pit, creating a diverse mix of tire strategies among title contenders. Ty Majeski and Kaden Honeycutt opted for two new tires, while Heim’s team took a risk with four, placing him in ninth place for the restart.
Demonstrating his skill, Heim surged to second position by Turn 2 during the overtime restart, maintaining his focus and determination despite the odds.
“Drove it in deep until I couldn’t anymore,”
Heim explained. — Corey Heim, Driver
Key Rivalries Shape the Championship Outcome
As the race reached its climax, Heim engaged Ty Majeski in a battle for the lead when another caution forced a second overtime. Heim capitalized on the restart, seizing the top spot and pulling away to secure the win. Majeski finished as runner-up and reflected on his own team’s strategy in the closing moments.
“I think that was our only shot, really, at winning the championship,”
said Majeski, referring to their strategy of taking only two tires at the final pit stop.
“If that restart goes a little bit differently, we get some clean air and (Heim) gets caught in third or fourth and we get a big enough gap where he can’t catch us … I don’t think we were going to take four (tires), restart behind (Heim), pass him and beat him. I don’t think that was really in the cards.”
— Ty Majeski, Driver
Kaden Honeycutt, another championship contender, finished third, while Layne Riggs and Rajah Caruth rounded out the top five. Tyler Ankrum, the fourth driver in the title hunt, ended his race in 14th position.
Historic Season Concludes at Phoenix Raceway
Heim’s championship capped off a season in which he earned an impressive 12 wins in 25 series races, establishing himself as a dominant competitor. He also captured victories in both Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the final race, underscoring his control throughout the night.
The 2025 season finale at Phoenix Raceway marked a significant highlight for 23XI Racing, with Heim’s role as development driver bringing added attention to the organization’s rising profile. Layne Riggs, Ty Majeski, Rajah Caruth, and Kaden Honeycutt all played key roles in the championship drama, exemplifying the competitive spirit of the series.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
With the season now concluded, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is set to return on February 13 at Daytona International Speedway, where the competition will resume and new contenders will aim to challenge Heim’s dominance.
Corey Heim’s championship run at Phoenix Raceway delivered an intense finish to an exceptional season, as the Corey Heim NASCAR Truck championship added another milestone to the driver’s young career and set the stage for more high-stakes racing in the year ahead.
WHAT A RESTART BY HEIM AND MAJESKI! pic.twitter.com/jvLZ5tPPBH
— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) November 1, 2025
