Storylines to Watch in the Second Half of the 2025 NASCAR Truck Series Regular Season
With nine races completed, the 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series has reached the halfway point of its regular season. As the series heads to North Wilkesboro to kick off the back stretch, here are key storylines to monitor on the road to the playoffs:
Is Heim Untouchable?
Corey Heim has been the class of the field so far in 2025, collecting three wins and leading the standings by a sizable 64-point margin over Chandler Smith. Without the playoff system, Heim would be cruising to the championship. Even with it, he remains the clear title favorite and looks poised to lock up the regular-season crown with ease.
The Intense Playoff Bubble Battle
The fight for the final playoff spots is shaping up to be one of the most dramatic in series history. Ben Rhodes currently holds the final transfer spot by just nine points over Stewart Friesen, with rookies like Gio Ruggiero and Rajah Caruth, as well as veterans Tanner Gray and Matt Crafton, close behind. Meanwhile, drivers just ahead of Rhodes—such as Layne Riggs, Kaden Honeycutt, and Jake Garcia—are far from safe. With only 72 points separating seventh and 15th, this battle is far from settled.
Can Past Champions Bounce Back?
Veteran champions like Rhodes and Crafton are searching for answers. Crafton hasn’t visited Victory Lane in nearly five years and missed the 2024 playoffs, while Rhodes has been winless since his 2023 title season. Ty Majeski, last year’s champion, has shown better form but is also looking for his first win of 2025 despite sitting sixth in the standings.
Will a Surprise Winner Shake Things Up?
With no superspeedway races left in the regular season, surprise victories are harder to come by. However, two road courses—Lime Rock Park’s debut in June and Watkins Glen in August—could level the playing field and open the door for an upset winner that could turn the playoff race on its head.
Can Anyone Challenge Heim for the Title?
Though Heim is in control now, challengers are waiting in the wings. Chandler Smith remains within striking distance, while Majeski has a knack for performing under pressure and could emerge as a real threat once the playoffs begin.
As the regular season winds down, expect tight battles, potential surprises, and an intensifying chase to stop Heim’s dominance.
