Majeski Ready to Repeat Truck Series Title
(Photo: NKP)
By Dennis Krause
Without a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race win this season, reigning series champion Ty Majeski would like nothing better than to deny overwhelming favorite and 11-race winner Corey Heim a crowning achievement in Friday night’s Championship 150 at Phoenix Raceway.
The driver of the No. 98 Soda Sense Ford F-150 for ThorSport Racing says it would be great to take down someone who’s had such a dominating year in the series.
“Social media would just explode and I’m here for all of it. I think that would be fantastic. Obviously, there would be a lot of interesting comments. I love that. I love stirring the pot a little bit, and I’d love to be the guy that did that.”
As defending series champion, the Seymour, Wisconsin native admits he’s not the only one who’s season has been overshadowed by Heim.
“I think he’s overshadowed everybody when you have a season like that and you win 11 races. He’s overshadowed the entire series and credit to them, but we’re here in Phoenix and none of that matters anymore. He’s not carrying any of those playoff points.
“I caught an interview that he did after Martinsville and he was talking a lot about how it would be a shame if we were able to take it from him and how dumb the format is, so I think we’ve got him right where we want him. I think he’s worried about the 98. I don’t think he wanted to race us this weekend and here we are with another shot at it.”
Corey Heim, driver of the No. 11 Safelite Toyota, leads the field including the No. 98 Soda Sense Ford of Ty Majeski during the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Slim Jim 200 at Martinsville Speedway. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Regarding the championship format that comes down to which of the four drivers competing for the title finishes the best in Friday’s race, Majeski is excited to have a shot of retaining the title, despite Heim’s 11 wins this season.
“The fact of the matter is you play to the format. If it was a season long format or an eight-race long format, you’re gonna react differently and you’re gonna play your cards differently based on whatever format you’re playing to. This year, it’s one race, winner-take-all.
“I’m not saying that we didn’t want to win throughout the year. We did. We tried as hard as we could throughout the season, it just hasn’t panned out. Like I said, the fact of the matter is we’re all here with an even slate with an even shot at winning a title and I’m excited about that.”
Given Heim’s dominance this season and the pressure he’s likely facing to end it with a championship, Majeski is enjoying flying a bit under the radar.
“Yeah, I think the rest of the three should. Corey’s won 11 races and he’s had probably the best season in series history, so that’s great, but the fact of the matter is we’re all coming into this weekend and none of that matters anymore. We’re all coming in and we might as well all have zero wins. We each have the same amount of chance of winning the championship and it’s up to us to go and take it from him.”
(Photo: NKP)
Even though he’s winless so far this season, Majeski doesn’t feel any different going into the championship-deciding race than he has in the past.
“In my mind, it doesn’t. Obviously, Corey has had a great season with 11 wins, but we’re coming in with a clean slate, nothing matters, it’s winner-take-all. I think maybe on paper Corey is probably the favorite, but in my mind we’re the favorites. We’re coming off a championship and a dominating win here, and I really do feel like we’re the ones to beat even after the season the 11 has had.”
If anything, Majeski feels more relaxed and confident having won the championship a year ago.
“It feels great, honestly. I think there’s some pressure to get that first one. My wife, Ali, and I were talking about it. You want to come here and compete and win at a high level, but I think the disappointment if you aren’t able to accomplish it on Friday is a lot less than maybe what it would have been if you didn’t have one.
“I’m hungry for another and I’m excited to be here. I feel good, very calm. I feel like a lot less pressure than last year for that reason, so I’m ready to go.”
Dennis Krause has spent decades covering all forms of motorsports, including over 40 Indianapolis 500s, with stints at WIBA Radio, PIT PASS - Radio’s Premier Motorsports Magazine and Motorsports Minute. Follow him on X @DennisKrause500 or motorsportsminute.bluesky.social or motorsportsminute on Threads or MotorsportsMinute+ on Facebook.