NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship: Majeski Claims Title with Dominant Phoenix Performance
A masterful performance at Phoenix Raceway saw Ty Majeski capture his first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship in dominant fashion, leading 132 of 150 laps in the 2024 season finale.
Race Highlights
- Pole Position Start: Majeski began the night from pole position, his sixth of the season
- Stage Wins: Captured Stage 2 victory after Corey Heim won Stage 1
- Lead Changes: Despite strong challenges from fellow championship contenders, Majeski maintained control throughout most of the event
- Final Margin: Won by over 4 seconds ahead of second-place Corey Heim
Championship Four Performance
| Driver | Starting Position | Final Position | Laps Led |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ty Majeski | 1st | 1st | 132 |
| Corey Heim | 3rd | 2nd | 14 |
| Christian Eckes | 4th | 3rd | 0 |
| Grant Enfinger | 8th | 5th | 0 |
"God I can't believe it... there's a lot of times in my career where this looked like a far dream," Majeski said in Victory Lane. "Duke and Ronda [Thorson] really gave me my third opportunity after I had two opportunities that failed."
Key Race Moments
- Early dominance saw Majeski build a significant lead in Stage 1 before Heim claimed the stage win
- Mid-Race Strategy: Majeski's crew chief Joe Shear Jr. made crucial adjustments during pit stops to maintain track position
- Late Race Management: Despite multiple cautions bunching the field, Majeski maintained his advantage on restarts
- Final stage saw Majeski pull away to an insurmountable lead in the closing laps
Historical Context
The victory marks several significant milestones:
- First championship for Majeski in NASCAR competition
- Thor Sport Racing's sixth truck series title
- Second championship for crew chief Joe Shear Jr.
- Third Wisconsin native to win the truck series title
"This kid is pretty spectacular... we're making a good notebook together and all this stuff is going together," said crew chief Joe Shear Jr. after the race.
Season Overview
The championship battle featured four drivers who combined for multiple wins during the 2024 season:
- Corey Heim: Led the series with 6 wins
- Christian Eckes: Entered Phoenix with momentum after recent victory
- Grant Enfinger: Consistent playoff performer
- Ty Majeski: Peak performance when it mattered most
The win caps off Majeski's journey from working in the Thor Sport shop in 2021 to becoming series champion in 2024, demonstrating his dedication to the sport and ability to maximize opportunities when they arose.
