Corey Heim and the No. 11 Toyota team further solidified their historic 2025 campaign with a commanding victory at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. This latest win not only secures his advancement in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series playoffs but also allows him to equal a legendary single-season wins record, cementing his status as one of the most dominant drivers the series has ever seen.
A Display of Sustained Dominance
The victory in Loudon marks Corey Heim’s ninth win of the season, a remarkable feat that ties the longstanding single-season record set by Greg Biffle back in 1999. With this win, Heim has now secured two victories in the opening round of the playoffs, effortlessly moving into the Round of 8. His performance continues to be a testament to the unparalleled consistency and speed of his team, making them the overwhelming favorites for the championship.
Surpassing a Modern-Era Stage Win Record
Beyond the race win, Heim’s dominance was showcased through his performance in the stages. By winning both Stage 1 and Stage 2, Heim captured his 67th and 68th career stage wins. This achievement officially surpassed the previous record of 66 stage wins held by Kyle Busch. It is critical to note the context of this record; stage racing was introduced in 2017, well after Busch’s most dominant full-time seasons in the Truck Series. Busch accumulated his total in just 47 starts under the current five-race limit for Cup Series drivers, while Heim set the new mark in his 85th series start. Furthermore, with these two stage victories, Heim extended his own single-season record for stage wins to an impressive 18.
Chasing History and a First Championship
With four races remaining in the season, Heim is now solely focused on breaking the record he now shares with Biffle and capturing his first NASCAR championship. His skill level is clearly demonstrated by his recent adaptability; last week, he secured an impressive sixth-place finish in the NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol in only his seventh start in the premier series. After the race, Heim expressed his reverence for the record and his clear ambition, stating, “It’s a dream come true to be able to race with these guys… I want to break that record, shoutout Greg Biffle, he’s a great dude.”
Playoff Picture: Who Advanced and Who Was Eliminated
The conclusion of the Round of 10 set the field for the next playoff round. Joining Corey Heim in the Round of 8 are Layne Riggs, Ty Majeski, Daniel Hemric, Grant Enfinger, Tyler Ankrum, Kaden Honeycutt, and Rajah Caruth. The driver on the unfortunate side of the cutoff was Chandler Smith, who needed a win to advance. He fought hard but ultimately finished in the second position, one spot short of the victory that would have kept his championship hopes alive.
Corey Heim’s 2025 season is rapidly evolving into one of the most legendary campaigns in NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series history. By tying a historic wins record and breaking a major modern-era stage win record, he has established a new benchmark for excellence. The racing world now watches with anticipation to see if he can break the final record and secure his first title, solidifying his place in the sport’s history books.
