Corey Heim captured the 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series title at Phoenix Raceway after executing a bold seven-wide move that cemented his supremacy on the track. The Tricon Garage driver clinched both Stage 1 and Stage 2, led the majority of laps, and finished runner-up to Ty Majeski in a high-pressure overtime finish, ultimately collecting enough points to secure his first crown. This pivotal night demonstrated Heim’s prowess and determination, underscoring the importance of the Corey Heim NASCAR Truck Championship for his team and career.
The highlight of the event came during the tension-fueled final restart, when Heim surged from the tenth position, carving through traffic and diving low along the dogleg. This maneuver allowed him to quickly advance to second place, as the field was stretched seven-wide in one of the most dramatic moments of the season.
Reflecting on his season’s journey, Heim acknowledged the sting of past disappointments, noting that the hard-earned lessons and the team’s relentless work set the tone for the 2025 campaign.
“Last year, I thought it was our year. We had the momentum. And for lack of a better word, we kind of got our teeth kicked in,”
Heim said.
“And this year we came back, and, I mean, broke just about every record you possibly could.”
— Corey Heim, Driver
This resilience was evident in the team’s adjustments, resulting in consistent performances across the season and culminating in Heim’s first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship.
Heim Defends Restart Strategy Amid Controversy
The intensity of Heim’s final restart drew scrutiny from fans and racing experts, with some questioning whether his position at the line met NASCAR’s guidelines for restarts. Heim addressed these concerns directly and did not shy away from the criticism.
“Yeah, people are going to talk about anything they possibly can and put an asterisk on it,”
Heim said.
“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.”
— Corey Heim, Driver
Further elaborating on his approach, Heim cited the importance of anticipating tire wear and competitor strategies.
“When you’ve got a guy who stayed out with 50-lap tires, if you don’t give yourself a gap, then you’re screwed,”
Heim said.
“If I start on the guy’s bumper, NASCAR has rules on how much you can get away with, and I didn’t abuse that. I listened to them and did everything.”
— Corey Heim, Driver
His defense highlighted an understanding of the nuances that can make the difference in a championship showdown, as well as his willingness to push boundaries without surpassing official limits.
Decisive Late-Race Moves and Pit Strategy
The outcome of the championship was shaped by a caution period at Lap 150, when Heim’s No. 11 Tricon Garage Toyota crew opted for a full four-tire pit stop. This decision left Heim restarting in 10th place, on the inside line, while crew chief Joe Shear Jr. had Majeski’s team change only two tires in a bid to retain an advantageous track position.
As the green flag flew for overtime, Heim’s fresher tires gave him a clear advantage. The field fanned out dramatically into the dogleg, spreading seven-wide as drivers jostled for position entering Turn 1. Heim’s bold move to the inside propelled him quickly into second, setting up the finish that would deliver his championship glory just behind Majeski.
Mixed Fan Reactions to Heim’s Victory
The aftermath of Heim’s daring move and victory was met with divided opinions from fans and commentators, who debated both the legality and the strategy of the final restart. Jacob, a critical voice among the crowd, remarked,
“I’ve seen that called a penalty multiple times. It should’ve been a penalty. Fake champions.”
— Jacob, Fan
In contrast, William praised Heim for his decision-making, stating,
“That was just smart racing from Heim. If he starts too close and a car up front checks up, he gets caught up in their crash. Didn’t look egregious to me.”
— William, Fan
Some fans remained confounded or skeptical. One remarked,
“Saying ‘how much you can get away with’ is basically admitting guilt in my book.”
— Unattributed Fan
James weighed in on Heim’s future prospects, saying,
“And has no full-time ride for next season, such a shame, dude’s probably more talented than half the Xfinity and Cup field.”
— James, Fan
These comments reflected not only the drama of the finish, but also the intensity and conflict that surrounded Heim’s route to the championship.
Heim’s Season Sets a High Bar for Future Champions
The Phoenix victory cemented Corey Heim’s legacy in the Truck Series, closing out a remarkable campaign marked by 12 victories, 19 finishes inside the top five, and 21 top-ten results in 25 starts. The Corey Heim NASCAR Truck Championship will be remembered as a defining moment for Tricon Garage, Toyota, and Heim himself, as it sets a challenging benchmark for aspiring champions in future NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series seasons.
Corey Heim fires back at anyone who thinks he did something wrong by laying back a bit on the restart of his seven-wide move.
"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… https://t.co/4bZXj3TmPa pic.twitter.com/33wqGOjwOQ
— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) November 1, 2025
I’ve seen that called a penalty multiple times. Should’ve been a penalty. Fake champions
— Jacob p (@Jbprince88) November 1, 2025
That was just smart racing from Heim. If he starts too close and a car up front checks up, he gets caught up in their crash. Didn’t look egregious to me.
— William Olive 🐬 (@WilliamOlive2_) November 1, 2025
And has no full time ride for next season such a shame dudes probably more talented than half the xfy and cup field
— James. C mayotte (@jcmmayot) November 1, 2025
