Ty Majeski narrowly missed securing consecutive victories and titles in the final NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Phoenix Raceway, finishing less than a second behind winner Corey Heim on Friday night. With Ty Majeski NASCAR Truck Series ambitions at stake, the event delivered high drama as multiple contenders vied for the championship in a race extended by double overtime.
Corey Heim Edges Out Majeski in Overtime Thriller
Corey Heim, piloting the No. 11 TRICON Garage Toyota, capitalized on late-race chaos to claim the win and his twelfth victory of the season—a new series record for wins. In a reversal of last year’s championship order at Phoenix, Heim and Majeski swapped finishing positions, marking a shift in their ongoing rivalry. The 161-lap contest ran nearly a dozen laps longer than planned, featuring a frantic seven-wide restart as the championship contenders scrambled for the lead.
Dramatic Comebacks and Title Aspirations
The four drivers fighting for the championship had varying fortunes. Kaden Honeycutt, who was hit with a first-lap penalty that sent him from second place to 30th, staged a remarkable recovery to finish third among the Championship 4. Tyler Ankrum, meanwhile, was unable to mount a late charge and ended his season in fourteenth place, never truly factoring into the front-running battle during this extended race.
Majeski’s Reflections on a Hard-Fought Second Place
Ty Majeski, who drove the No. 98 Soda Sense/Curb Records Ford, reflected candidly after the race, noting that a mix of factors contributed to falling short of the victory. He described the challenge of contending with the No. 11 truck, especially in turbulent air and crowded racing conditions. For Majeski, the difference came down to subtle gaps in performance. He acknowledged Corey Heim’s achievement, stating,
He’s a deserving champion,
Ty Majeski, Driver.
Key Moments: Tire Strategies and Overtime Restarts
With only three laps remaining, a caution prompted pivotal tire strategy calls. While Majeski, then leading, opted for two new tires, Corey Heim and his team took on four. This move set the stage for a chaotic restart, during which a crash in Turn 3 collected drivers Tyler Ankrum, Cole Butcher, Stefan Parsons, Tanner Gray, and Grant Enfinger, leading to a red flag.
As racing resumed, Majeski took the high line while Heim dove to the inside. The order of Majeski, Heim, and Honeycutt shuffled yet again with another accident bringing out a late caution, forcing a second overtime. Heim surged ahead on the restart and managed to pull a crucial gap, securing his title as the field crossed the checkered flag.
Majeski Responds to Team’s Decisions and Opportunity
After the race, Ty Majeski defended the strategic call made by his crew chief, Joe Shear Jr., regarding tires, noting the difficulty of beating Heim with four fresh tires during an overtime shootout. Majeski explained how he took the lead momentarily after the restart, but Heim quickly gained an advantage down the backstretch. He described the scenario with a sense of what might have been:
If that restart plays out differently, somebody goes lower into one [Turn 1] and takes air away from him, it could pan out differently. I thought that was our best shot at it, I really did.
Ty Majeski, Driver.
Majeski also expressed gratitude for competing at the championship level again, highlighting the rarity of such opportunities:
thankful to have the opportunity to come back here and race for a championship once again for the third time in four years. Not a lot of people can say that.
Ty Majeski, Driver.
Looking Ahead as NASCAR’s Championship Weekend Continues
The Truck Series finale kicks off a packed weekend at Phoenix Raceway, with the ARCA Menards Series West and Xfinity Series wrapping up their seasons on Saturday, followed by the Cup Series Championship Race on Sunday. The intense finish between Ty Majeski, Corey Heim, and Kaden Honeycutt left racing fans eager to see how the momentum continues in the coming events.
Several prominent names shaped the outcome—Corey Heim’s record-setting victory, Ty Majeski’s perseverance, and Kaden Honeycutt’s comeback—all highlighted the high-stakes environment of championship racing. The strategic roles played by crew chiefs like Joe Shear Jr., the involvement of organizations such as TRICON Garage and Curb Records, and the dramatic turns in the race itself, underscore the complexities and unpredictable excitement within the Ty Majeski NASCAR Truck Series pursuit.
