Corey Heim secured the 2025 Craftsman Truck Series championship, fulfilling his long-standing goal during a highly competitive NASCAR season that saw him and his team rise to the top. Sharing his thoughts just after the race, Heim spoke candidly about what it meant to reach the summit as the Corey Heim NASCAR Truck Champion, explaining the pressures, challenges, and the teamwork required to achieve such a milestone.
The Journey from Humble Beginnings to Racing Stardom
Heim detailed his progression from racing part-time in 2019 to climbing the ladder in the challenging world of truck racing. He recalled struggling through an unremarkable early season as his father invested heavily in the hope that Heim could break into the professional ranks. By 2020, a pivotal opportunity with Venturini Motorsports allowed him to showcase his ability, ultimately leading to a full-time drive after a triumphant run at Kansas. Heim credited his steady ascent to keeping faith in his supporters, particularly with Toyota and TRICON Garage, noting how loyalty and perseverance paid off as he looked back at his career from five years prior.
Reflecting on his journey, Heim described how at one stage, it was difficult to imagine arriving at this level of NASCAR success. Yet, year by year, with each accomplishment, he built on that foundation, eventually positioning himself to battle for a championship alongside some of the sport’s best.
“Definitely a pretty surreal feeling, for sure.” — Corey Heim, NASCAR Truck Series Champion
Overcoming Setbacks and Learning from Past Races
Heim recounted his first experience being part of the Championship 4, explaining how he felt more like a newcomer than a true contender, but saw it as a valuable learning moment. The following year, despite believing he had the momentum required to win, Heim admitted to falling short and learning difficult lessons after losing out during crucial moments.
In 2025, he and his team responded to those setbacks by setting new records and striving for the championship above all else. Heim explained the intense pressure to bring home the trophy, especially while driving for a top-flight truck team. He and his crew were keenly aware that only total commitment would put them in position for victory. Despite some dramatic moments late in the race that nearly cost him the title, Heim felt the outcome was destined.
“It was just meant to be, for sure.” — Corey Heim, NASCAR Truck Series Champion
Facing Intense Pressure and Delivering in the Final Race
The season’s climactic race brought a mix of determination and anxiety for Heim as he started 10th with only ten laps remaining, equipped with fresh tires. He described an unwavering resolve to ensure his team wouldn’t miss out: he aggressively pushed his truck through the inside wall, a calculated risk that ultimately paid off.
Heim credited strategic decisions made by his crew chief, Scott Zipadelli, for choosing the optimal tire strategy, giving them a clear edge against competitors. This approach allowed him to swiftly overtake opponents, avoid costly incidents, and secure his place in Victory Lane.
Adapting Strategies and Trusting His Team
Heim shared that in his earlier Championship 4 appearances, a lack of trust in the competition and no true control over races were his main challenges. Experiences dating back to 2023 instilled caution, but for 2025, he focused on offensive racing, placing himself in command rather than reacting defensively.
That proactive mindset was matched by a carefully executed plan: he preferred starting on the bottom row, letting him dictate the truck’s movement and avoid being forced into disadvantageous positions by other drivers. Trust in Scott Zipadelli and the 11 crew was paramount, and Heim believed the unity and consistency within the team had laid the foundation for their success.
“It’s really a big family, honestly. It feels like a family. I want it to be remembered that way. We won as a family.” — Corey Heim, NASCAR Truck Series Champion
Decisive Moments on Track Define the Finale
Heim went into detail about the critical choices made in the closing laps. On restarts, he analyzed the decisions of those in front of him, leveraging any small advantage, especially being able to take the lower groove when fewer drivers selected that path. Clean air and avoiding the “dirty air” of competitors played a central role, with Heim relying on his instincts and muscle memory as the action intensified.
As he dove low on the apron during the final restart, Heim shifted to third gear and trusted the grip his truck provided under pressure, knowing that time was of the essence and that any hesitation could cost him the championship. Navigating three- or even four-wide scenarios, he committed fully, determined to maintain the momentum necessary for a winning run.
The Role of Teamwork and Technical Adjustments
In discussing the team’s preparation, Heim pointed to their performance in practice and qualifying, admitting some disappointment when speed and handling didn’t immediately align. However, he praised Zipadelli’s adjustments, which accounted for changes in temperature and grip as the race extended into the evening. The experience on the pit box, he said, was vital, especially during moments when pit stop execution could make or break their chances.
He acknowledged moments of doubt during mid-race pit cycles but trusted in the collective ability of the crew. These sentiments were reinforced by their consistent results throughout the season and by having nearly every crew member remain together for multiple years.
Lessons from Adversity and Growth as a Driver
Heim emphasized the importance of learning through challenge and adversity. Past failures had taught him invaluable lessons about how to approach late-race scenarios, handle restarts, and remain calm amid chaos, such as when the caution flag drops or the threat of multiple overtime finishes loomed.
Drawing from both victories and defeats, Heim internalized those experiences, which built the resilience needed to execute at the most critical moments. His ability to digest the setbacks of prior championship races, evaluate each situation, and emerge sharper was central to this year’s triumph.
“As long as you can grow and learn from it, I think that’s the most important part.” — Corey Heim, NASCAR Truck Series Champion
Continuous Development and Influences in Racing Techniques
Pearls of progress throughout the season came from Heim’s dedicated effort to assess his driving on various types of racetracks. Historically confident on intermediates, road courses, and superspeedways, he acknowledged that short tracks and sub-one-mile ovals required far more work. He credited mentors like Trevor and Blake, as well as exposure to high-level operations at 23XI, for helping close those gaps in his driving style.
Heim found value in comparing his approach to that of other successful drivers such as Ty, whose late model roots and efficient driving at short tracks offered a template for improvement. Utilizing data from SMT, Heim adapted his truck and techniques, investing in countless simulator hours to bridge gaps and ultimately see those efforts succeed when it mattered most.
Preparation, Fitness, and the Demands of Truck Racing
Physical preparation and mental readiness became priorities as Heim sought to maximize every advantage with his team. He explained that physical fitness, hydration, and acclimatization to hot track conditions were as vital as studying data and refining his inputs as a driver. Heim described himself as highly motivated, driven by a sense of responsibility to the exceptional group assembled at TRICON Garage and within the 11 crew.
He noted that arriving unprepared would feel like wasting the unique opportunity to compete at such a high level, especially with the support and resources at his disposal.
“Having the opportunity we do to work with those guys is a special one for sure. Definitely glad we can execute on that.” — Corey Heim, NASCAR Truck Series Champion
Understanding the Value of Race Position and Consistency
Heim addressed the importance of staying up front, explaining that maintaining a position within the top five minimizes exposure to accidents, which are frequent within the teens or mid-pack group. Their ability to bring top-tier speed consistently was seen as a testament to the team’s preparation and performance, allowing him to avoid the chaos and randomness that can end a driver’s day prematurely.
This consistency was particularly meaningful for Heim, demonstrating not just the caliber of the truck but the reliability of the race team tasked with supporting his championship run.
The Significance of the NASCAR Truck Series as a Developmental Platform
Heim shared his perspective on how the truck series compares to both the Cup and Xfinity series. He advocated that the trucks provide the most direct stepping stone for up-and-coming drivers aspiring to move to the Cup level. Acknowledging recent improvements, Heim described the series as a healthy proving ground that prepares young racers for the next stage of their careers.
Looking forward, he echoed many drivers’ ambitions to use the truck series as a launchpad to greater opportunities, underlining the championship’s role in his longer-term goals.
A Championship Sealed by Teamwork, Grit, and Determination
The 2025 Craftsman Truck Series was marked by intensity, remarkable teamwork, and Corey Heim’s relentless drive. Heim’s reflection underscores the crystalized aims that defined the Corey Heim NASCAR Truck Champion campaign: leveraging lessons from earlier disappointments, relying on the steadfast unity of his team, and making bold, timely decisions when the stakes were at their highest.
The culmination of years of sacrifice—from personal and family investment to technical adaptation and leadership under Scott Zipadelli—resulted in a season that, according to Heim, broke records and set new benchmarks for excellence within TRICON Garage. As the offseason begins, Heim’s accomplishment is both a testament to endurance and a statement of intent for future seasons, embodying the spirited competition and synergy at the heart of NASCAR’s development ladder.
“To be able to see the smiles on their faces after the race really means the world to me.” — Corey Heim, NASCAR Truck Series Champion
