Corey Heim made history at Phoenix Raceway by winning the 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship, while also breaking a major milestone tied to the Corey Heim NASCAR championship record. Competing for Tricon Garage, Heim surpassed a record that had stood since 1996 and achieved several unprecedented feats in NASCAR’s three national series.
Heim Breaks Longstanding Laps Led Record
Mike Skinner’s 1996 record of 1,533 laps led in a season had remained untouched, but that changed during the 2025 campaign. Heim entered the final event just six laps shy of Skinner’s mark, surpassing the record even before the season wrapped up. He went on to finish the year with the record secured as he clinched his first-ever Truck Series championship title.
In addition to this achievement, Heim set a historic first for NASCAR across its three national series, by leading at least one lap in every single race that season. At Phoenix, he led an impressive 100 laps of the 161-lap contest, ultimately crossing the finish line less than a second ahead of Ty Majeski, the defending series champion and his main championship rival.
Experts Highlight Heim’s Dominance
NASCAR analyst Jeff Gluck emphasized the outstanding nature of Heim’s season, saying:
“Get this: Corey Heim has now completed an incredible feat and led at least one lap in every race. He also just broke Mike Skinner’s single-season laps led record (set in 1996).”
Jeff Gluck, NASCAR analyst
“Per @NASCARInsights, Heim is the first driver to lead every race in a season for any series in a NASCAR national series,” he added.
Jeff Gluck, NASCAR analyst
Race Day Challenges and Triumphs
Corey Heim qualified sixth for the championship finale, clocking a fastest lap of 26.77 seconds and reaching a top speed of 134.47 mph. He was narrowly edged out for the pole position by Layne Riggs, by just 0.06 seconds. The season’s championship race took place on Friday, October 31, 2025, at Phoenix Raceway, a one-mile track renowned for its challenges and high stakes.
Despite beginning from sixth on the grid, Heim quickly asserted control. He seized the lead by lap 22 during the opening stage and completed the 45-lap segment at the top. Heim retook the lead from Rajah Caruth on lap 55 in stage two and maintained his advantage through that segment as well. These performances bolstered Heim’s bid for the title and underlined his season-long dominance for Tricon Garage and the #11 Toyota Tundra.
Pit Road Incident Sparks Frustration
Not everything went smoothly for Heim during the season finale. In the crucial final stage of the 161-lap race, Ty Majeski emerged from the pits ahead of Heim, momentarily seizing the lead. The event led to a heated reaction from Heim, who voiced his frustration over the team radio:
“Its a fu*king joke trying to get out of my pit box. This is terrible man.”
Corey Heim, Tricon Garage driver
Ultimately, Heim remained focused, recovering from the setback to reclaim the top spot and finish nearly a second ahead of Majeski. With this drive, he secured his maiden Truck Series crown in his fifth season after finishing just outside the championship in previous years: fourth place in 2023 and second place in 2024.
A Historic Season and Its Legacy
Heim’s championship marks a significant moment in NASCAR history, not just for his record-breaking season but also for his consistency and determination. By leading at least one lap in every race—a feat unmatched in the Cup, Xfinity, or Truck Series—and besting a record that had stood since 1996, Heim has set new standards for excellence in the sport. Fans, teams, and analysts alike will be watching as he builds on this achievement and as others attempt to surpass his newly established benchmark in future seasons.
Per @NASCARInsights, Heim is the first driver to lead every race in a season for any series in a NASCAR national series. https://t.co/gbgtnB4if3
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) November 1, 2025
