Corey Heim capped a standout season by claiming his first Truck Series championship on Friday night for Tricon Garage, shining through a dramatic finale that silenced doubters and raised his profile for a future in the Cup Series. The Corey Heim Truck Championship win, achieved after bold strategy calls and determined driving, left no doubt about his readiness to move up in the NASCAR ranks, despite vocal skeptics questioning his tactics late in the race.
Dramatic Moves Secure Championship in Nail-Biting Finish
As the race entered its first overtime restart, Heim found himself at the tail end of the top ten due to a late decision to pit for new tires. The call was widely criticized in real time, with many believing it would cost him the title because the other three Championship 4 drivers had track position ahead of him. However, Heim orchestrated a daring seven-wide move, deliberately hanging back at the restart before catapulting to second place behind Ty Majeski right as a caution was triggered.
With the field bunched for a second overtime, Heim executed a flawless restart, seizing the lead and clinching the championship. While his calculated decision to lay back drew some negative reactions, Heim addressed the controversy head on, pushing back against any attempt to diminish his achievement. He emphasized that his actions were dictated by circumstances, particularly with the leader staying out on aging, 50-lap-old tires.
Yeah, people are going to talk about anything that they possibly can to put an asterisk on it, right? We kind of kicked their ass this year and we put ourselves in position, and I did everything it took to be in the right spot at the right time. When you got a guy that stayed out on 50-lap tires and put him on the front row, if you don’t give yourself a gap, then you’re screwed, right?
Corey Heim told Bob Pockrass.
Beyond the strategy, his ability to adapt to evolving situations proved a defining feature of his season. Bob Pockrass noted a key point of discussion was Heim’s approach to pushing the boundaries of NASCAR’s restart rules when he started that final stint in tenth, as well as his remarkable consistency in leading at least one lap in every race of the year.
Navigating the Rules and Rising Above Doubt
During post-race conversations, Heim elaborated on his calculated approach, stressing that he played within the liberalities allowed by NASCAR officials without crossing the line. Reiterating the significance of adhering to the guidance shared in frequent driver meetings, he clarified that strategic racecraft, rather than rule-bending, was decisive to his triumph.
I mean, if I started on the guy’s bumper, I know how much NASCAR—we talk about it in the driver meetings all the time—how much you can get away with. And I didn’t abuse that. I listened to them and I did everything I could to put myself in position to win the race.
Corey Heim added.
Heim’s assertion that he understood and respected the limits of the rules was a direct response to those seeking to discredit his championship. By focusing on what was permitted and making the most of his opportunities, the Toyota driver proved that winning at the sport’s highest level requires not just speed and aggression, but also a clear understanding of competition guidelines.
Record-Breaking Season Highlights Team Dominance
Reflecting on the season, Heim turned attention to his team’s exceptional accomplishments, noting the comprehensive domination of the Tricon Garage and the No. 11 TRD crew. Heim delivered a season for the record books: highest race wins in a single campaign (12), most laps led (1,627), and the unique distinction of leading a lap in every race, a feat never before achieved in the Truck Series. Additionally, he notched the most stage wins (23), earned the Regular Season Championship, and remarkably finished the year with no DNFs and a record 19 top-five finishes.
Heim’s comments after the race highlighted the collective effort required to sustain this level of superiority, crediting the organization’s depth and Toyota’s backing as integral to their success. He praised his team’s relentless drive to bring elite equipment each week, stating that such consistent excellence is uncommon in motorsports and should not be underestimated by observers or critics.
But to bring the best equipment every single week is a feat that’s maybe overlooked. I know a lot of people are talking about us statistically, how good we are, but we were so good every single week. It truly takes a team from top to bottom—everyone at Tricon Garage, everyone on this 11 crew specifically, and Toyota, all the support from them. It really takes an organization, a team, a manufacturer. You don’t see it every day…
Corey Heim said.
He highlighted that the contributions from everyone at the race shop, all the way through to the highest levels of Toyota and Tricon Garage, laid the foundation for a year that saw the No. 11 stand atop nearly every statistical category. This narrative of teamwork and organization contrasted the focus on individual maneuverings at the season’s climax, reminding the racing world that championships are rarely won by a single moment or driver alone.
The Road Ahead: Proving Himself Ready for the Cup Level
Corey Heim’s championship marks a potential turning point not only for his own career but for his team. His performance throughout the season, capped by a remarkable final effort, establishes him firmly as one of the top young talents in motorsports. The overwhelming evidence of his readiness for the next tier has prompted calls for 23XI Racing to secure him a spot in their Cup Series lineup for 2026, lest rival teams such as Ford or Chevrolet attempt to lure him away.
Heim’s rise signals both the continuation of Toyota’s investment in developing rising stars and the enduring importance of strategic thinking, teamwork, and composure in motorsports glory. After shutting down those who attempted to diminish his victory, he looks set for an even brighter future, poised to carry his momentum and competitive spirit to NASCAR’s highest stage.
Two of the things that interested me in the chatter after Corey Heim's title-clinching victory. His philosophy on how much he could lay back on that restart when he was 10th and also the fact he led a lap in every race this year. His thoughts on both: @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/y9fJ9eU33S
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) November 1, 2025
