Corey Heim captured his seventh victory of the 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season on Friday night at Richmond Raceway, sealing another dominant performance. The eero 250 not only highlighted Heim’s continued control of the series but also finalized the playoff grid. Jake Garcia, fighting off challenges from Ben Rhodes and Gio Ruggiero, managed to secure the final playoff spot with a hard-fought seventh-place finish, keeping his championship hopes alive as the postseason looms.
Key Highlights
Corey Heim scored his seventh Truck Series win of 2025 at Richmond Raceway
Jake Garcia secured the 10th and final playoff spot with a seventh-place finish
Ty Majeski led early but Heim pulled away for the victory
Heim has already clinched the regular-season title, his second in three years
The Truck Series playoffs begin Aug. 30 at Darlington Raceway
Heim’s Season of Control
Heim entered Richmond already locked in as the regular-season champion after clinching the title with two races left, a testament to his dominance. Driving full-time in the Truck Series since 2023, Heim now holds two regular-season championships and continues to prove himself as one of the strongest talents in the field. His win at Richmond showcased his ability to outlast early leader Ty Majeski before pulling away in the final laps to secure victory.
“Feels really good. Just a testament to how good I’ve been this year. I feel like this is probably the first race where I haven’t had a legitimate shot to compete for the win, so that really says something.” – Corey Heim
While Heim’s focus remains on chasing a Truck Series title, his future has become a growing topic of conversation. Having competed in select Cup Series races for 23XI Racing, Heim’s next step appears to be the Xfinity Series rather than a full Cup seat.
Garcia Holds Off Rhodes and Ruggiero
The eero 250 was about more than the winner—it was about the playoff bubble. Jake Garcia, who entered the night clinging to the 10th and final playoff spot, delivered under pressure by finishing seventh. That result was enough to edge out Ben Rhodes, the two-time champion who entered 11 points behind Garcia, and Gio Ruggiero, who needed to make up 21 points to advance. Rhodes and Ruggiero fell short, leaving Garcia to celebrate a playoff berth secured on one of the most intense nights of the season.
Garcia’s determination to remain consistent under pressure stood as a defining storyline, ensuring that his team will continue into the postseason hunt. The field is now locked, setting the stage for the Round of 10.
What’s Next in the Playoffs
The Truck Series playoffs will begin on Aug. 30 at Darlington Raceway with the Sober or Slammer 200. Two weeks later, the drivers will battle again at Bristol Motor Speedway in the UNOH 200, followed by a high-stakes event at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sept. 20. Heim enters the playoffs as the heavy favorite, but the drama surrounding Garcia, a late-season underdog, ensures unpredictability.
Fox Sports insider Bob Pockrass analyzed Heim’s performance and future prospects, reinforcing how unique this year’s dominance has been.
“Heim has dominated the trucks this year with five wins and 10 top fives in 16 starts. He clinched the regular-season points title with two races left. Already signed with 23XI Racing, he will likely have to wait until 2027 to be in a Cup car full-time. Whether he’s in an Xfinity car full-time in 2026 is still TBD.” – Bob Pockrass
Heim’s playoff march is expected to be commanding, but as history has shown, the postseason often reshuffles expectations. Garcia’s presence as a spoiler candidate could bring even more intrigue.
News in Brief: Corey Heim Wins Richmond
Corey Heim won the eero 250 at Richmond, his seventh Truck Series victory of 2025, reinforcing his dominance after already clinching the regular-season title. Ty Majeski led much of the race, but Heim surged late for the win. Jake Garcia secured the final playoff spot with a seventh-place finish, eliminating Ben Rhodes and rookie Gio Ruggiero from contention. The Truck Series playoffs begin Aug. 30 at Darlington, followed by races at Bristol and New Hampshire.
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