So, you’re looking for who took the checkered flag in the last NASCAR truck race? Honestly, if you’re checking the calendar today, January 14, 2026, and wondering why you didn't see a live broadcast last night, there’s a very simple reason: the engines aren't actually running yet.
We are currently in the thick of the NASCAR offseason. The most recent time these trucks actually beat doors for a trophy was the 2025 season finale at Phoenix Raceway. That race wasn't just another Friday night under the lights; it was a historic beatdown that capped off what many experts are calling the most dominant season in the history of the Craftsman Truck Series.
Corey Heim: The Man Who Won It All
If you want to know who won the last NASCAR truck race, the name is Corey Heim.
He didn't just win the race; he absolutely dismantled the field. Driving the No. 11 Toyota Tundra for TRICON Garage, Heim secured his first career championship by winning at Phoenix on October 31, 2025. This wasn't a "lucked-into-it" kind of victory. The guy led a race-high 100 laps out of 161.
But it almost went sideways.
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With just a few laps left in regulation, Layne Riggs was actually leading and looking like he might play spoiler. Then, Connor Mosack slapped the wall in Turn 4, bringing out a caution and sending the whole thing into overtime.
The "Seven-Wide" Move
This is the part everyone is still talking about in the garage. During the first overtime restart, Heim found himself buried in 10th place because of pit strategy. Most drivers would have folded. Instead, Heim took his Toyota to the apron, driving it basically into the dirt through the dogleg.
He went seven-wide into Turn 1.
By the time they came out of Turn 2, he was in second place, glued to the bumper of Ty Majeski. On the second overtime attempt, Heim cleared Majeski almost instantly and pulled away to win by nearly a full second (0.993 to be exact).
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By the Numbers: Why This Win Mattered
Last season was weird. Usually, the Truck Series is a chaotic mess where anybody can win. Not in 2025. Heim turned the series into his personal playground.
- 12 Wins: That is a new single-season record for the Truck Series.
- 1,625 Laps Led: He broke Mike Skinner's 1996 record (1,533 laps).
- A Perfect Streak: Heim led laps in every single one of the 25 races on the schedule.
Behind Heim, the "best of the rest" at Phoenix included Ty Majeski in second and Kaden Honeycutt in third. Layne Riggs, who looked like the winner until that late caution, ended up fourth, followed by Rajah Caruth in fifth.
When Do They Race Again?
If you're itching for a fresh result, you've got about a month to wait. The 2026 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season kicks off at Daytona International Speedway on Friday, February 13, 2026.
There's some massive news for the season opener, too. Yesterday, January 13, Kaulig Racing dropped a literal bombshell: Tony Stewart is coming back to NASCAR to drive their "All-Star" truck at Daytona. He’s fresh off a Top Fuel championship in NHRA, and he's bringing Ram back to the series with him. It's gonna be wild.
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What to Watch for in 2026
Basically, the target is on Corey Heim’s back. He’s returning to try and defend that title, but with guys like Majeski and Caruth getting faster every week—plus the wild card of Tony Stewart showing up for the big races—the 2026 season is looking like it might actually be competitive again.
While there wasn't a race "last night," the news cycle is moving fast. Teams like Legacy Motor Club and Front Row Motorsports are releasing their season previews this week.
If you want to stay ahead of the curve before the trucks hit the high banks of Daytona, start tracking the "Free Agent Driver Program" updates from Kaulig. They are rotating big names through that seat all year. Also, keep an eye on Rajah Caruth; he finished the 2025 season with a ton of momentum and is the betting favorite for many to challenge Heim this spring.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Mark your calendar: Set an alert for February 13, 2026, for the Fresh from Florida 250 at Daytona.
- Follow the Previews: Check NASCAR.com daily this week as they roll out the 2026 team previews (Front Row Motorsports is up next).
- Watch the Replay: If you missed Heim's seven-wide pass at Phoenix, find the highlights on YouTube; it’s arguably the gutsiest move in the history of the series.