The desert air crackled with anticipation as trucks thundered around the Las Vegas Motor Speedway oval. It was a battle for supremacy, a clash of titans in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, and the tension was palpable. At the helm of the No. 11 Toyota, Corey Heim, a rising star in the racing world, found himself locked in a heated duel with veteran Grant Enfinger. With every lap, the lead changed hands, setting the stage for a heart-stopping finish that would etch itself into the annals of Truck Series history.
Corey Heim Holds Off Grant Enfinger for Truck Series Win at Las Vegas
Corey Heim, driver of the No. 11 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro for TRICON Garage, captured the victory in Friday’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, holding off series veteran Grant Enfinger.
Although Las Vegas is pretty well-known for its casinos and its gambling scene, there were absolutely no gambles from Heim or his crew chief Scott Zipadelli to land the driver in Victory Lane in Friday (and Saturday morning’s) race.
The victory marks (lucky) win No. 13 for Heim in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, and his second win in the opening three events of the 2025 season.
Corey Heim’s Dominant Performance
Heim’s decision to take the lead from Layne Riggs on the final restart proved to be the turning point in the race.
Heim’s TRICON Garage Toyota Tundra TRD Pro showcased exceptional speed throughout the afternoon, allowing him to pull away from the competition.
Scott Zipadelli’s experience and expertise proved to be invaluable, as he made key adjustments to Heim’s truck to optimize its performance.
Grant Enfinger’s Narrow Miss
Enfinger’s CR7 Motorsports truck struggled with speed and handling issues, making it difficult for him to challenge Heim’s lead.
A minor contact with Kaden Honeycutt resulted in damage to Enfinger’s truck, further hindering his chances of victory.
The result moves the No. 9 into third in point standings after Las Vegas.
Tanner Gray came home in third-place, scoring his first top-five result since Darlington Raceway in Spring 2023, where he also recorded a third-place finish.
Ty Majeski finished fourth, and Layne Riggs, who was in front of the pack late in the event after an incredible move, faded back to fifth in the closing laps.
Stewart Friesen was sixth, with Rajah Caruth seventh, Chandler Smith eighth, and Matt Crafton and Tyler Ankrum completing the top-10.
Ankrum was in contention for the victory early in the race, leading 39 laps, but smacked the wall after contact with Kaden Honeycutt which damaged his McAnally-Hilgemann Racing Chevrolet.
Racing Aftermath and Implications
The result moves Ty Majeski to the top of the point standings, holding a five-point margin over Corey Heim, and an eighth-point margin over both Grant Enfinger and Chandler Smith.
Pont Standings Update
- Ty Majeski: 5-point lead over Corey Heim, 8-point lead over Grant Enfinger and Chandler Smith
- Corey Heim: 5-point deficit to Ty Majeski, 8-point deficit to Grant Enfinger and Chandler Smith
- Grant Enfinger: 8-point deficit to Ty Majeski, 5-point deficit to Corey Heim and Chandler Smith
- Chandler Smith: 8-point deficit to Ty Majeski, 5-point deficit to Corey Heim and Grant Enfinger
Corey Heim Holds Off Grant Enfinger for Truck Series Win at Las Vegas
Corey Heim, driver of the No. 11 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro for TRICON Garage, captured the victory in Friday’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, holding off series veteran Grant Enfinger.
The victory marks win No. 13 for Heim in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, and his second win in the opening three events of the 2025 season.
Heim took over the race lead from Layne Riggs on the final restart of the event, reasserting himself as one of the quickest trucks all afternoon and stretching the gap over his TRICON Garage teammate Tanner Gray, and eventually Grant Enfinger in the closing laps.
When the checkered flag was displayed, Heim had driven away to a margin of victory of 0.825 seconds over Enfinger, who joined the TRICON driver in the Championship 4 in last season’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship fight.
“It feels amazing,” Heim said. “Circumstantially, we had a tough day – I don’t think any of it was our own doing, except what I did myself. Great job by our Safelite Tundra TRD Pro team. TRICON Garage – everyone did such a great job. Everything they could control they kept under control – like I said, a speeding penalty, that was my bad. Nail in our front tire, that was just circumstantial. Very thankful for those guys. Very thankful for Toyota for all of their hard work and support. This is just the beginning. I think we are going to have a really good 2025 campaign, and kicking it off the right way, winning two out of three.”
Point Standings Update
Heim’s strong finish keeps him in contention for the championship, as he trails Ty Majeski by just five points in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series point standings.
Majeski, who finished fourth in the event, takes the lead in the point standings, holding a five-point margin over Heim, and an eight-point margin over both Grant Enfinger and Chandler Smith.
- Point Standings:
- 1. Ty Majeski
- 2. Corey Heim (-5)
- 3. Grant Enfinger (-8)
- 4. Chandler Smith (-8)
Upcoming Races and Challenges
The NASCAR Truck Series heads to Homestead-Miami Speedway, a track known for its high-speed corners and demanding layout.
Heim, Enfinger, and Majeski will look to maintain their momentum and positions in the point standings.
The competition will be fierce, with multiple drivers vying for the top spot and championship aspirations.
Homestead-Miami Speedway Preview
Homestead-Miami Speedway is a challenging track that requires a combination of speed and strategy to succeed.
The track’s high-speed corners and demanding layout will put drivers to the test, making it difficult to maintain a consistent pace.
The competition will be intense, with multiple drivers vying for the top spot and championship aspirations.
Heim, Enfinger, and Majeski will look to maintain their momentum and positions in the point standings.
The NASCAR Truck Series will take on the challenge of Homestead-Miami Speedway on Friday, March 21, with coverage of the event taking place on FOX, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Analyzing Corey Heim’s Season
Heim’s second win in three events sets him up for a strong season, with 13 NASCAR Truck Series wins in just 67 starts.
His TRICON Garage team has shown exceptional speed and consistency, making them a top contender for the championship.
Heim’s confidence and experience will be crucial in the upcoming races, as he looks to maintain his lead in the point standings.
Implications of Heim’s Win
Heim’s win marks a significant milestone in his career, as he becomes the fifth-quickest driver to reach 13 NASCAR Truck Series wins in series history.
His achievement is a testament to his hard work and dedication to the sport, and it sets him up for a strong season.
The TRICON Garage team’s exceptional speed and consistency make them a top contender for the championship, and Heim’s confidence and experience will be crucial in the upcoming races.
Conclusion
The Unstoppable Corey Heim Seizes Victory at Las Vegas Truck Series Event
In a thrilling conclusion to the Las Vegas Truck Series, Corey Heim successfully held off Grant Enfinger to claim the coveted win, solidifying his position as one of the top contenders in the championship. This stunning upset not only shook up the racing scene but also highlighted the unpredictable nature of the sport. As the dust settled, the racing community was left to grapple with the implications of this unexpected turn of events.
The significance of this win cannot be overstated, as it marks a significant shift in the balance of power in the Truck Series. With Heim’s impressive performance, the championship standings are now within reach, and Enfinger’s chances of regaining the lead are dwindling. This development has sparked a heated debate among fans, with some questioning whether Heim’s victory is a result of luck or skill. Whatever the reason, the fact remains that Heim has proven himself to be a formidable competitor, and his success has sent shockwaves throughout the racing community.
As the Truck Series continues to navigate the ups and downs of the season, one thing is certain: Corey Heim’s performance at Las Vegas will be remembered as one of the most memorable moments of the year. With his victory, Heim has cemented his position as a top contender, and the stage is set for an epic clash in the championship finale. As the drivers prepare to head into the final stretch, one thing is clear: only one can claim the coveted title. The stakes have never been higher, and the future is looking brighter than ever for the title contenders. In the end, it’s anyone’s game – and that’s what makes NASCAR so thrilling.