Corey Heim secured his first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series title on Friday, October 31, 2025, at Phoenix Raceway, after a tense and chaotic final race that ended in a breathtaking seven-wide sprint to the finish. The Corey Heim NASCAR Truck champion headline was written in dramatic fashion, as Heim’s performance contrasted sharply with his season’s earlier domination, culminating instead in a test of nerves and skill under immense pressure.
Redemption After Years of Near Misses
For Heim, this championship was the result of determination and persistence, coming two years after previous disappointments. The night could have ended very differently, but Heim relied on his instincts when it mattered most, navigating a high-stakes environment against fierce competition.
“I was more torn because I thought, I was 10th, and I thought five guys were going to choose the bottom. Typically you would fill both lanes. I thought I can be 10th on the outside, or 11th on the inside. I’m pretty sure only four guys took the bottom. That’s a layup. I’m going to go bottom… By the time that we got to the start/finish line, I knew I had enough of a run to go to the bottom,”
Heim said about his seven-wide charge. – Corey Heim, Driver
“I figured we’d be three or four wide. Not seven wide. I based it off of the #9 truck in front of me, went lower and lower until he couldn’t anymore, and I could with my tires,”
he added. – Corey Heim, Driver
Early Race Turmoil Creates Opportunity
Starting from the sixth position, Heim found himself in the midst of drama from the outset. The race’s opening lap saw Dawson Sutton’s solo spin bring out an immediate caution, followed by Kaden Honeycutt’s penalty for moving out of line too soon, which relegated both Honeycutt and Jack Wood to the rear. Heim capitalized amid the early confusion, asserting himself as a clear favorite by sweeping the first two stages of the race and controlling the pace.
Late Caution Flips the Field
With only four laps remaining, events took a dramatic turn when Connor Mosack crashed, triggering a late-race caution that put Heim’s championship hopes in jeopardy. Suddenly, rivals Ty Majeski and Kaden Honeycutt posed a serious threat, and Layne Riggs, making a charge from the back, added another layer of uncertainty. The cause of Mosack’s incident—a tire rub following contact—prompted NASCAR officials to investigate both his spotter and crew chief after the race.
Pit Strategy Becomes the Deciding Factor
As the leaders pitted on Lap 150 for the final time, Heim made the call for four new tires on his No. 11 Toyota, while Majeski and Honeycutt opted for just two. A slow pit stop cost Heim valuable positions, dropping him five spots in the order and leaving him in 10th place when the green flag waved for overtime. Facing a crowded inside lane and several cars ahead who stayed out, Heim’s chances seemed to be slipping away.
Seven-Wide Overtime Charge Secures Victory
Refusing to surrender, Heim used his fresh tires to his advantage, launching a remarkable charge down the inside as the field fanned out seven-wide through the dogleg towards Turn 1. By deftly maneuvering through the chaos and slicing past Grant Enfinger, Heim found himself taking second place by Turn 2, poised behind Ty Majeski.
“definitely glad it worked out. I was on the inside wall through one and two. I didn’t think it was going to end well. Sure enough, the four tires worked.”
– Corey Heim, Driver
Final Results and Season Close
Heim managed to edge out Majeski at the finish, securing both the race victory and the championship title. Majeski finished second, Honeycutt rebounded to claim third despite his earlier penalty, and Tyler Ankrum, after a challenging night, rounded out the top four in the season standings in 14th for the event. The dramatic conclusion at Phoenix Raceway brought a passionate and intense close to a highly competitive NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season.
Implications for Heim and the Series
Heim’s victory and championship provide vindication after previous setbacks, solidifying his position atop the series and setting a high standard for next year. The seven-wide finish at Phoenix may be remembered as one of the most electrifying moments in recent NASCAR Truck history, and the decisions made on pit road, as well as Heim’s raw instincts behind the wheel, will likely be analyzed by teams and fans for seasons to come. As the dust settles at Phoenix Raceway, Corey Heim celebrates as the Corey Heim NASCAR Truck champion, with rivals like Ty Majeski, Kaden Honeycutt, and others left to reflect on a tense and unforgettable finale.
7 wide?????
A huge move by Corey Heim to put himself in position before Butcher, Ankrum and others wrecked like hell behind he, Majeski and Honeycutt! pic.twitter.com/sy8g3fd2L9
— Rubbin is Racing (@rubbinisracing) November 1, 2025
2025 Craftsman Truck Series champion Corey Heim interview transcript https://t.co/bgli1zXl2f
— Jayski (@jayski) November 1, 2025
