Corey Heim Wins NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Championship at Phoenix
Corey Heim secured the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Championship on Friday night at Phoenix Raceway, achieving a remarkable performance that culminated in a victory by 0.993 seconds over defending champion Ty Majeski in a dramatic second overtime. Heim led a race-high 100 of 161 laps, sweeping both the first and second stages before ultimately claiming his 12th win of the season.
The race saw Heim restarting in 10th position during the first overtime attempt after a late caution caused by Connor Mosack hitting the wall. Opting for fresh tires during a caution on lap 150 proved crucial, allowing Heim to swiftly weave through the field, emerging in second place behind Majeski. Despite a two-tire strategy employed by Majeski’s crew chief, Joe Shear Jr., Heim’s fresh tires provided the edge he needed to take control.
“In the end, it wasn’t going to happen,” Heim remarked confidently post-race. “I drove it in deep until I couldn’t anymore.”
This championship has particular significance for Heim, who faced immense pressure after dominating the season with 11 wins in 24 races prior to Phoenix, culminating in a record 1,625 laps led throughout the season, surpassing Mike Skinner’s previous record of 1,533 laps led in 1996.
In the closing laps, a caution for a four-car incident necessitated a second overtime restart, during which Heim quickly cleared Majeski and maintained a lead that he extended to the finish.
Majeski acknowledged Heim’s superiority: “Honestly just a little bit short… Overall, he was just too strong,” he noted, reflecting on their performance throughout the race.
Kaden Honeycutt, who served a penalty for a first-lap lane change, finished third, followed by Scott Riggs in fourth and Rajah Caruth rounding out the top five. Veteran Matt Crafton delivered his final NASCAR performance, finishing 13th as he retires from full-time racing.
Race Results:
- Corey Heim
- Ty Majeski
- Kaden Honeycutt
- Scott Riggs
- Rajah Caruth
- Jake Garcia
- Corey LaJoie
- Chandler Smith
- Tyler Reif
- Jack Wood
Heim’s win and subsequent championship title mark the culmination of a season characterized by dominance and resilience, reinforcing his status as a formidable competitor in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series.
