Ty Majeski’s championship effort nearly led to a historic repeat in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, finishing less than a second behind Corey Heim in a dramatic finale at Phoenix Raceway on Friday night. Racing for ThorSport Racing, Majeski aimed to secure consecutive season titles, but his bid ended just short after a tough battle in overtime against Heim, highlighting the high stakes and intensity of the moment.
Down to the Final Laps in Phoenix
As Ty Majeski stepped out of his No. 98 truck on the Phoenix pit road, the celebrations for Corey Heim’s championship win were still in the air. Majeski, the popular 31-year-old driver, had come within a second of becoming just the second competitor ever to clinch back-to-back series championships, matching the accomplishment of his ThorSport teammate Matt Crafton.
The race was fiercely competitive. Majeski pushed Heim to the limit throughout all 161 laps. During the first of two overtime restarts, Majeski’s crew opted for a two-tire change rather than four, betting on track position. This move initially put him out front, signaling a possible victory in the Truck Series Championship Race.
Dramatic Overtime and Key Pit Strategy
However, Heim’s choice for four fresh tires during his pit stop proved decisive when the next restart came. Heim executed a remarkable seven-wide move going into Turn 1, placing himself right on Majeski’s tail, though a caution flag quickly bunched the field again.
In the second overtime, the trucks returned to the front row side-by-side. Heim found the grip he needed and pulled away from Majeski to claim his first championship, crossing the finish line just .993 seconds ahead. Heim, who dominated the season with twelve wins at only 23 years old, was formidable competition. Despite three championship race appearances in the last four years, Majeski and his crew gave everything they had, but Heim was simply the strongest contender.
Majeski and Team Reflect on a Battle Well Fought
After the race, Majeski praised the effort and perseverance of his ThorSport Racing team through ups and downs.
“Really proud of the whole season this group put together,”
Majeski said. He acknowledged that the team struggled through the spring but rallied after a period of self-reflection, stringing together twelve consecutive top-10 finishes, including nine top-fives. The streak positioned them for an exceptional run at the championship in Phoenix.
“Honestly just a little bit short. Very close.”
Majeski admitted, highlighting how fine the margins are at this level of competition.
Brad Means, Majeski’s car chief, echoed similar sentiments about the near miss and their unwavering commitment.
“Obviously, we had high hopes coming back here from last year’s success we had here as the dominant truck,”
Means reflected. He noted that changes in qualifying and challenging conditions made it difficult to replicate their previous dominance. Means also recognized Corey Heim’s consistent performance throughout 2024, saying their team often had strong trucks but could not always turn them into the desired results.
“We had great pit stops tonight, our guys were phenomenal job and have been all year, but we just didn’t get it done. I thought the two tires was going to be the call to win the race had a caution not come out. We were like literally 200 yards away from winning the race.”
Means expressed the heartbreak of coming so close, crediting the crew for their speed and resolve.
Proud Moments and a Heartbreaking Finish
Majeski’s 2024 season remained impressive, with 18 top-10 finishes, nine top-fives in 25 races, and three finishes as runner-up. He was keen to recognize his crew’s tenacity and bold decision-making in the closing laps.
“Proud of [crew chief] Joe [Shear] for making that gutsy call,”
Majeski said.
“Hard to make that in that moment. You always want to be on offense at the end of these races. I think two tires gave us the best opportunity to win tonight.”
He emphasized that their daring strategy was essential to giving themselves a true shot at another championship.
Majeski concluded that if the closing restart had played out slightly differently, the outcome might have resulted in a celebrated repeat title. Despite the narrow loss, Majeski and his ThorSport Racing group left Phoenix with their heads held high, respecting the competitive spirit of the sport and looking forward to future battles.
What This Finish Means for Majeski and ThorSport Racing
Although Ty Majeski’s championship effort ended less than a second shy of a second straight title, his and ThorSport Racing’s relentless pursuit highlighted both their resilience and the unpredictable drama of NASCAR’s championship night. With Corey Heim taking the championship, Majeski’s drive and the team’s bold strategies affirmed their place among top contenders, setting the stage for high expectations and renewed ambition in the next Truck Series season.
