Corey Heim became the Corey Heim NASCAR Truck Series champion at Phoenix Raceway on Friday night, capturing the title in a dramatic and hard-fought finale after leading the majority of the event. Despite the impressive statistics behind Heim’s win, the outcome was far from guaranteed, with intense competition and late-race tension marking the decisive battle for the championship.
Heim’s Commanding Performance and Overtime Drama
On a night filled with high stakes, Corey Heim commanded the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Championship Race by sweeping both the first and second stages, leading a race-high 100 out of 161 laps. The race at Phoenix was a display of his strength, but success did not come without challenge. On the first overtime restart, Heim found himself mired in the 10th position along the inside lane. However, a strategic pit stop for four fresh tires under a caution on Lap 150 proved critical. Heim maneuvered his No. 11 TRICON Garage Toyota down to the bottom and powered through the dogleg as competitors fanned out seven-wide.
Heim surged past Grant Enfinger’s Chevrolet, moving to second place and slotting in behind the defending champion, Ty Majeski. Meanwhile, Majeski’s crew chief, Joe Shear Jr., made the call to equip their truck with two tires on that same crucial pit stop—a move designed to protect their shot at defending the title. Ultimately, the gamble favored Heim, who reached the championship he narrowly missed during the prior two seasons.
Relief and Gratitude Mark Heim’s Historic Moment
As the pressure of potential victory dissolved, Corey Heim expressed his immense gratitude, stating,
“I just am so grateful to be where I’m at,”
—Corey Heim, Driver. He took the opportunity to thank TRICON Garage, Toyota, sponsors like Safelite, Mobil 1, Yahoo, Celsius, and everyone who supported his journey. Having advanced to the Championship 4 with a pole-to-win drive at Charlotte, Heim described the stress leading up to this moment and how much relief he felt, adding,
“This is just such a relief, to say the least. So thankful for everybody.”
—Corey Heim, Driver.
A Milestone Season for Heim
Coming into Phoenix, the 23-year-old driver from Marietta, Georgia, had already registered 11 wins across 24 races. His Phoenix victory marked his 12th win, further extending his own series record. Heim also took the lead from Chandler Smith early in the race, completing a season-long achievement by having led laps in every one of the 25 Truck Series races. His season record of 1,625 laps led shattered Mike Skinner’s 1996 record of 1,533 laps.
After the win, Heim remarked,
“I don’t care if I was on hundred-lap tires, nobody was going to beat me tonight,”
—Corey Heim, Driver. He credited his crew chief, Scott Zipadelli, for always positioning him for victory, no matter the challenges in practice or qualifying. Heim also stated,
“Drove it in deep until I couldn’t anymore. Drove away with it.”
—Corey Heim, Driver.
The Cautions and Final Lap Battles
The outcome remained undecided until the final laps when Connor Mosack hit the Turn 4 wall, causing the sixth caution and sending the race into overtime. Scott Riggs, who had been leading Heim by less than a second, was knocked out of championship contention due to a Playoff tiebreaker at Martinsville a week earlier. Riggs still had a chance for the owners’ title, and without the late caution, he and Heim might have shared top honors in separate categories.
As the first overtime began, Heim was already challenging Ty Majeski, but a four-truck crash involving Tyler Ankrum forced another restart. On the final overtime attempt, Heim swiftly passed Majeski and pulled away to claim the win and the championship.
Rivals Reflect on the Race’s Intensity
Following the finish, Ty Majeski, last year’s champion, said,
“Honestly just a little bit short,”
—Ty Majeski, Driver, and reflected on being so close, noting,
“I couldn’t get a good enough restart to take advantage of where in the run my truck was better.”
—Ty Majeski, Driver.
Strong Performances Across the Field
Playoff contender Kaden Honeycutt finished third, successfully rebounding after a first-lap penalty for changing lanes prematurely. Scott Riggs finished fourth, while Rajah Caruth, Jake Garcia, Corey LaJoie, Chandler Smith, Tyler Reif—in his first Truck Series start—and Jack Wood rounded out the top ten. Matt Crafton, retiring from full-time NASCAR participation, ended his run in 13th during his final outing in the No. 88 ThorSport Racing Ford.
Looking Ahead After a Historic Win
Corey Heim’s first championship win at Phoenix marks a major milestone for his career and the TRICON Garage team, adding further excitement to the roster of recent NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series champions. With new records set, intense strategies from teams such as those of crew chiefs like Zipadelli and Joe Shear Jr., and rising stars like Tyler Reif making their debut, the series promises ongoing drama and competition. Attention will now turn to how Heim, Majeski, and the rest of the field respond in the next season, as the legacy of this fiercely contested championship lingers through the off-season.
