The NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series’s (NCTS) return to New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) was nothing short of spectacular as Corey Heim put on a championship-caliber performance to win the Team EJP 175 in front of an electric crowd on a picture-perfect Saturday afternoon.

This marked the first time since 2017 that the NCTS roared around the 1.058-mile oval known as “The Magic Mile,” and the much-anticipated return did not disappoint. Heim, driving the No. 11 TRICON Garage Toyota, dominated the day by sweeping both stages, leading a staggering 123 of 175 laps and navigating a chaotic sequence of restarts and incidents to take the checkered flag. The win was Heim’s ninth of the 2025 season, tying Greg Biffle’s all-time single-season NCTS win record and further solidifying his bid for the championship.

“It’s a special feeling now, and I feel like I know it’ll be a special feeling when the year is over,” Heim said when asked about the possibility of breaking Biffle’s record. “Regardless of the result, the [end] goal remains the same – to win a championship.”

The race began with fireworks as early as lap one when a multi-truck crash in turn two collected Brent Crews, Tanner Gray and Connor Mosack, ending Mosack’s day prematurely. Cautions were a constant theme throughout the afternoon with a total of eight adding to the drama and putting pit strategy at the forefront of team decisions. One of the race’s turning points occurred when playoff contender Daniel Hemric was involved in an incident with Jayson Alexander. While Alexander hit the wall hard and retired from the event, Hemric managed to continue with minimal damage.

Heim emerged as the dominant force early, winning stage one under caution for his 18th stage win of the season. The second stage saw a brief shakeup, as Andres Perez de Lara, the 2024 ARCA Menards Series champion, led his first-ever laps in NCTS competition before being overtaken late in the stage. Heim surged back to the front in a four-lap shootout to win stage two, marking his 19th stage win of the year.

The final stage was far from smooth sailing. A massive accident in turn three involving veterans Matt Crafton, Ben Rhodes and Toni Breidinger brought out a red flag. Breidinger made hard contact with the wall and was forced to retire with significant damage, though she walked away safely.

Through all the chaos, Heim maintained composure, using late-race restarts to his advantage. Chandler Smith, who needed a win to advance in the playoffs, mounted a fierce charge in the closing laps and managed to run down Heim’s gap, but ultimately fell short, finishing second. Despite the strong run, Smith was eliminated from the playoffs, as was Jake Garcia, who finished 16th. Meanwhile, Layne Riggs, Hemric, Ty Majeski, Grant Enfinger, Tyler Ankrum, Kaden Honeycutt and Rajah Caruth rounded out the final spots advancing to the Round of 8.

With the win, Heim has now led laps in every single NCTS race this season, continuing an impressive and consistent campaign that has seen him become the face of the series.

Saturday’s race wasn’t just about the drivers – it was about celebration. The event marked the long-awaited return of the NCTS to New Hampshire, and fans across New England showed up in force to welcome it back. From the moment the green flag dropped, it was clear “The Magic Mile” had lost none of its luster. The packed grandstands and the roar of excitement after each intense restart made it a memorable day for the sport and the region.

“[NHMS] is just a place where the seams and bumps are so sensitive, and it’s so slick out there that you never feel like you have a perfect truck,” Heim said. “I think that also plays into a little bit of the fact that the trucks haven’t been here in like seven or eight-odd years now. I think a lot of people were sort of guessing on set up.”

The Team EJP 175 was also a special occasion for the race’s title sponsor, E.J. Prescott, Inc. (Team EJP), a family-owned water, sewer and drain supply company based in Gardiner, Maine. Founded in 1955, Team EJP has long been a key player in the infrastructure and utility space across the Northeast. Their involvement in motorsports – particularly as a title sponsor for this pivotal race – highlights their commitment to supporting local communities and regional events. With roots deep in New England and a history of innovation, Team EJP’s partnership helped bring the NCTS back to “The Magic Mile” in spectacular fashion.

As NASCAR fans shift their attention to Sunday’s Mobil 1 301 NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) action, the Team EJP 175 will be remembered as a signature moment in the 2025 season – a race that delivered on every front: competition, crowd energy and championship implications.

Tickets:
For tickets and camping for New England’s only NASCAR Playoffs weekend, featuring the Mobil 1 301 NCS Playoffs race, fans should visit NHMS.com or call 833-4LOUDON. Tickets for kids 12 and under are just $10 on Sunday.

Follow Us:
Keep track of all of New Hampshire Motor Speedway’s events by following on Facebook (@NHMotorSpeedway), X (@NHMS) and Instagram (@NHMS). Keep up with all the latest information on the speedway website (NHMS.com) and mobile app.