Corey Heim, widely expected to clinch the championship, confirmed his status as the Corey Heim NASCAR Truck champion after a dramatic duel at Phoenix Raceway, overcoming intense competition and a late-race restart to capture the title. Despite leading much of the event, Heim had to battle back from tenth after a critical pit stop, pulling off a stunning seven-wide pass before outpacing Ty Majeski in the final laps.
Heim’s Road to Victory at Phoenix
Heading into the decisive race, Corey Heim was the clear favorite, but the event’s high-stakes format meant a single misstep could erase his season-long dominance. The championship was within reach due to previous wins and consistent stage victories, but anything less than a strong showing at Phoenix would have cost him the title.
Heim showed his competitive edge early, winning both stages and leading the most laps. The race, however, evolved into a tense showdown as late cautions led to double overtime. A daring charge from tenth position with two laps to go set the stage for Heim’s defining moment—a bold surge through a seven-wide battle that bumped him up to second, right behind Ty Majeski. On the final restart, Heim made the decisive move to pass Majeski, cementing his series championship with an unforgettable performance.
“So grateful to be where I’m at,”
smiled a relieved Heim.
“So thankful for TRICON Garage, and Toyota for taking a chance on me years ago … I was so stressed out ever since we won at the Roval, because I knew we’d have to defend this with the year we’ve been having. I’ve been so terrible to talk to as a person. Just so stressed out. This is such a relief. So thankful for everybody.”
— Corey Heim, Driver
Top Finishers in the Championship Race
Kaden Honeycutt secured third place at Phoenix and matched that position in the final season standings, a remarkable feat given the field’s depth. Layne Riggs and Rajah Caruth rounded out the top five as the race order shook up late, with Riggs also contending for the owner’s championship. Jake Garcia, Corey LaJoie, Chandler Smith, Tyler Reif, and Jack Wood finalized the list of top ten finishers, each making crucial moves as cautions and pit strategy shifted the field.
Tyler Ankrum, at one point fighting for a higher championship result, dropped to fourteenth in the race and finished fourth in the overall standings after being caught in a wreck during the race’s closing moments.
Early Action and Stage Highlights
At the green flag, Kaden Honeycutt leapt from fifth to second but faced an early setback when officials ruled he jumped the start. Instead of a typical drive-through penalty, a timely caution forced him to the back of the pack. That caution stemmed from a major accident involving Daniel Hemric and Dawson Sutton in the race’s first corner.
Chandler Smith led the opening laps until Corey Heim caught up, their battle peaking as Heim attempted an outside pass, only to be squeezed and forced to ease off momentarily. Heim eventually passed Smith halfway through the first stage while Smith pitted unexpectedly, allowing Heim to claim the stage win. Brent Crews and Ty Majeski followed, with Honeycutt mounting a resilient recovery to finish seventh at that point, and Ankrum left back in fourteenth.
The ensuing pit stop cycle cost Heim the lead as he struggled to exit his pit box, briefly surrendering his advantage. Nevertheless, Heim retook the lead and controlled the second stage, finishing ahead of rivals Majeski and Crews, with Honeycutt maintaining strong pace. Tyler Ankrum slipped further back, ranking seventeenth by the end of the stage.
Critical Moves Shape the Final Stage
The start of the final stage highlighted Heim’s recurring pit box troubles, with another tire spin costing him the lead to Ty Majeski. Heim responded by reclaiming first place on the restart, intent on stretching his advantage if the race remained uninterrupted.
A spin by Clayton Green brought out the next caution, after which Layne Riggs—still chasing the owner’s title—led a group that pitted for new tires. With just 33 laps to go, Riggs restarted ninth, but the four championship contenders, including Heim and Majeski, stayed out, holding their positions at the front. The situation changed quickly when Brent Crews lost ground due to a failed rear axle, dropping from contention and leaving Heim without a key teammate.
Chaos erupted as Riggs charged into fourth, followed by a massive crash that saw Andres Perez’s truck go airborne and several competitors, including Ben Rhodes, Gio Ruggiero, and Bayley Currey, collected in the wreck. A red flag was required for cleanup, then Riggs surged to the race lead during the restart, putting Front Row Motorsports in line for the owner’s title while Heim continued his pursuit of the driver’s trophy.
Just as it appeared that Riggs would secure the race win for his team and Heim would take the driver’s crown, another caution occurred when Connor Mosack crashed with a tire issue, triggering overtime.
All drivers then pitted for tires, with Heim opting for four new tires while his main competitors settled for two. This strategy shuffled him back to tenth with only a handful of laps left as seven trucks fanned out vying for the lead. Heim’s tire advantage and bold maneuvering propelled him to second, directly on Majeski’s bumper.
Yet another crash, this one involving Tyler Ankrum among others, sent the race into a second overtime and required another red flag. On the decisive restart, Heim exploited his fresher tires and seized the lead from Majeski, then steadily pulled away to cross the line as NASCAR Truck Series champion.
The Championship’s Broader Impact
Heim’s victory was the result of relentless determination, a calculated gamble on pit strategy, and bold driving under pressure. By overcoming setbacks—including pit lane difficulties and a traffic-filled field—he delivered a memorable finish that not only secured the championship for himself but also provided a showcase of resilience under pressure for his supporters at TRICON Garage and Toyota.
This race concluded a season full of intense rivalries and strategic twists, underscoring how the unique format of the NASCAR Truck Series keeps competition fierce until the last moments. As the Corey Heim NASCAR Truck champion, Heim set a new standard for future drivers hoping to follow in his footsteps and left the field—including names like Ty Majeski, Kaden Honeycutt, Layne Riggs, and Rajah Caruth—ready to regroup and challenge again next season.
