In the NASCAR Truck Series 2025 season, all eyes have been on Corey Heim and the Tricon Garage No. 11 team, who have delivered a record-breaking campaign with 11 victories. Yet, they still face the risk of losing the title due to NASCAR’s controversial “one race, winner-take-all” format.
With the championship showdown less than a week away, instead of celebration, Heim’s situation has the sport facing another round of criticism over its playoff system.
Does Corey Heim’s Dominance Mean Nothing Under NASCAR’s Current Format?
For many in the motorsports community, the scenario is deeply frustrating. Despite Heim’s unmatched consistency and dominance, one bad race in the Phoenix finale could cost him the championship. For long, critics have argued that such a situation devalues season-long excellence.
Among those speaking out is NASCAR insider Steven Taranto, who took to X to voice his exasperation with the system.
“You guys know that I’ve been pretty guarded in my criticism of the playoffs and I’ve tried to point to its merits first,” Taranto wrote. “However, Corey Heim not winning the Truck title would be a travesty and I’m glad the “One race, winner take all” element of the system is being done away with. It’s cool when the “right guy” or someone plausibly worthy of the championship wins. When that doesn’t happen…”
Taranto’s remarks tap into a long-running debate about NASCAR’s playoff model, which since 2014 has relied on elimination rounds culminating in a single race to determine the champion.
The system was designed to heighten drama and attract casual viewers, but has often been criticized by purists who believe championships should reward consistency over season-long performance, not just one-night heroics.
Heim’s 2025 season has been nothing short of historic. With 18 top-fives, 20 top-tens, and an average finish of 5.2 across 24 starts, he has been the clear class of the field.
The No. 11 driver’s level of consistency would have secured him the title by a landslide under NASCAR’s old points system. Yet, under current rules, all that dominance could mean nothing if another driver simply outperforms him in the finale, even if that driver’s overall season pales in comparison.
As the criticism mounts, NASCAR is reportedly planning to tweak its championship system in 2026. Beginning with phasing out the “winner-take-all” element that determines the title based solely on the outcome of the final race. What exactly the sanctioning body decides to progress with is yet to be disclosed.
But for Heim and his crew chief, Scott Zipadelli, those changes may come too late. Their 2025 campaign could become the latest example of how a season of near-perfection can be undone by a single moment.
