Corey Heim defended his seven-wide pass that helped secure the 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship at Phoenix Raceway. The Tricon Garage driver swept Stage 1 and Stage 2, led 100 of 161 laps, and finished second to Ty Majeski in the final overtime, a result strong enough to clinch his first series title.
The move that defined the race came during the final restart, when Heim charged from 10th to second by diving low through the dogleg as the field fanned out seven-wide.
Reflecting on his path to the title, Heim pointed to lessons from the previous season and the team’s overall progression.
“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.”
The statement underscored how his team’s adjustments throughout 2025 translated into consistent results and ultimately a championship-winning campaign.
Corey Heim Responds to Restart Criticism
Following the race, questions arose regarding Heim’s positioning during the final restart. Some viewers debated whether his spacing at the line followed NASCAR’s restart procedures. Heim addressed the topic in his post-race interview.
“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.”
Heim also explained that his approach on the restart was influenced by the tire conditions of the race leaders.
“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.”
Late-Race Strategy and Final Restart
The championship was decided during a caution that came out on Lap 150. During that caution, Heim’s No. 11 Tricon Garage Toyota team made a pit stop for four fresh tires. That decision placed him 10th for the restart on the inside lane. Majeski’s team, led by crew chief Joe Shear Jr., took two tires to maintain track position.
When the field came to the green flag for the first overtime attempt, Heim used his new tires to advance quickly. As the trucks entered the dogleg, the field spread seven-wide heading into Turn 1. Heim drove to the bottom of the track and exited Turn 2 in second place, directly behind Majeski.
Fan Reactions
Reactions to Heim’s restart and seven-wide pass were mixed among fans.
Jacob commented, “I’ve seen that called a penalty multiple times. It should’ve been a penalty. Fake champions.” William wrote, “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.”
Another fan said, “Saying ‘how much you can get away with’ is basically admitting guilt in my book.” James added, “And has no full-time ride for next season, such a shame, dude’s probably more talented than half the Xfinity and Cup field.”
Corey Heim’s performance at Phoenix Raceway officially secured his first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship, closing a season that featured 12 wins, 19 top-five finishes, and 21 top-tens in 25 starts.
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