Record Heim win eliminates  Smith from NASCAR Truck playoffs

LOUDON, N.H. — Corey Heim eliminated Chandler Smith from the 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series playoffs with a record-tying ninth win of the season Saturday in the Team EJP 175 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

Heim led twice for 124 of 175 laps, claimed both stages and closed out the win over Smith in Saturday’s race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

“So much preparation on my side as well to live up to the equipment that’s given to me,” Heim said of his record-tying ninth victory of the year.

“Just had a little bit of an upper leg on these guys coming to New Hampshire last year (for the Xfinity Series race) and having a Cup test a couple weeks ago, but knew that we’re going to have a good shot at it and wanted to live up so that’s what we did.”

Smith came into the day below the cutline and qualified second behind Heim after running second to him on the 10-lap average speed chart in practice. In the race, Smith finished second and third in the stages but needed more to topple Rajah Caruth.

“I had a fast truck that was capable of winning,” Smith said. “I started hauling butt there at the end and running down the 11, but it wasn’t in the Lord’s Will today, honestly. 

“I pulled everybody together before the race. We prayed together and I wanted to let them know that I’m proud of them no matter the outcome today.”

Layne Riggs, Giovanni Ruggiero and Ty Majeski rounded out the Top-5 finishers.

Caruth advanced to the second round with a 10th-place finish and stage points from getting fourth and seventh. He kept Smith in his sights throughout the day and kept his playoff run going because of it.

TOP 10: Heim, Smith, Layne Riggs, Gio Ruggiero, Ty Majeski, Grant Enfinger, Kaden Honeycutt, Corey LaJoie, Christian Eckes, Caruth.

Jonathan Fjeld and Dominic Aragon contributed to this report.