This year, no Truck driver even comes close to Corey Heim. He has won eleven of 24 races, a series record. He faces three title rivals in the Championship 4 who have combined to win just one race this year — and eight total if you add up their whole careers.
Heim’s average finish of 5.2 is followed by Ty Majeski’s 10.2, Tyler Ankrums 10.7, and Kaden Honeycutt’s 13.2 over the course of the 2025 season. TRICON’s star driver has also led over 1,500 laps this year, which again, is over four times many as his three title rivals combined.
Yet, based on the NASCAR scoring system, Heim could end the year fourth in the championship standings. The winner-take-all finale has again leveled the playing field, with Heim on equal footing to his three rivals for one race only: whoever finishes highest at Phoenix will be crowned champion.
This is Heim’s third appearance in the Championship 4, and he’s yet to win the crown.
“Since this is my third year, I felt like I was potentially the media favorite going into the last year,” said Heim during Media Day. “Maybe not the overwhelming, but we carried the most wins into Phoenix and kind of got our teeth kicked in a little bit last year. Yeah, I know we’ve statistically been the best truck and everything, but the way the format works everyone’s even, and if we miss it this week, then that’s the story. That’s it. So, just kind of focused on ourselves, not really looking at who’s the odds on, or odds off favorite. Just mostly kind of staying internal.”
The driver that dominated last year’s finale was none other than Majeski, who Heim must face again on Friday night. The reigning series champion is winless in 2025, but his most recent win came in last year’s Phoenix finale. He started from pole, led 132 of 150 laps, and secured the title over Heim in second.
Keeping an eye on Majeski
Tyler Ankrum, Ty Majeski, Kaden Honeycutt and Corey Heim
Photo by: James Gilbert / Getty Images
Unsurprisingly, Heim agreed that Majeski is ‘probably’ his biggest threat when asked on Thursday.
“Probably, but once again we won’t really know until after practice,” said Heim. “I feel like you’ve seen guys kind of like him last year. I mean he had really good races last year, no doubt, and he dominated races, but I don’t think anyone came into this race expecting him to just absolutely kind of wear us out. So, it could happen to any of us – Tyler (Ankrum), Kaden (Honeycutt) too – they could bring really good stuff and kind of have the same result. It’s just part of the championship race.”
And while Heim was cautious about outright proclaiming Majeski as the driver to beat, practice reinforced what many expected. Majeski topped the charts in that extended practice session.
Heim later added on his previous thoughts as he sized up the competition: I think Ty (Majeski) next to me here is definitely going to be tough to beat. They’ve always had a really good package here. Definitely more of a question mark as far as the other two. Kaden’s (Honeycutt) got a lot of talent, a lot of raw speed, and the 52 is historically run really well here, so I’m sure he’ll be strong. And, Tyler (Ankrum) always seems to be kind of there when it counts at the end. Different factors kind of going for all of them. They’re all a little bit different in their own ways, but definitely just kind of focus on ourselves and focus on our race.”
How would he feel to not win it all?
Corey Heim, TRICON Garage Toyota
Photo by: Sean Gardner / Getty Images
Heim was also asked if the season will feel ‘less than great’ if he doesn’t walk away with the championship trophy
“It does,” admitted Heim. “I think especially where we’re at as a race team. I think if we had had one to our name already and could call ourselves champions of the Truck Series, it’d be a little different, but that’s kind of been the hole in our team, I guess. And I don’t think it’s for a lack of a race team by any means. It’s just kind of circumstantial for how our two championship races have gone so far. I think we’ve showed up with good equipment both years and just kind of came up short.
“So, I don’t think it’s anything to hang our heads out about if it doesn’t work out, but certainly something that we definitely want to click off before it’s all said and done.”
In qualifying, Heim ended up placing sixth on the grid, just behind Honeycutt in fifth, and a couple of spots clear of Majeski in eighth. Ankrum will start a bit further behind, qualifying 21st.
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