Over the last few years, the gambling industry has changed how it approaches age verification. What was once a self-declaration with minimal oversight has now changed into a sophisticated, driven system that is in place to protect underage gamblers. This new approach is due to regulatory advancements in digital identity and increased global cooperation among regulators.
How It Was Before: Minimum Age Until 2015
In the early days of 2010, age regulation was not carried out with any authority. The majority of countries had a rule that individuals 18 years old and above could gamble.
The US, Singapore and Macau enforced a 21-year-old legal limit, but enforcement was weak. There were lots of Top online casinos that accepted players with little to no age verification.
The lack of global coordination allowed for gray sites to appear that attracted underage players. Because of this trend, regulators understood that something needed to change.
Strengthening Age Verification After 2018
From 2018 to 2020, the industry changed due to stricter regulations.
The European Union’s Anti-Money Laundering (AML) introduced Know Your Customer (KYC) checks, which forced all casinos to verify players identity before they deposit funds.
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) was a leader, as players needed to be verified before any type of gameplay was possible.
Canada and Australia followed with similar frameworks. There was also the implementation of specialised Age Verification APIs and tools that casinos integrated into their platforms to confirm a player’s age. At the same time, best no KYC casinos are rapidly gaining popularity around the world. Such operators require minimal verification of personal information from players, allowing them to remain anonymous.
Technological Side: How Age Is Verified Today
Gambling platforms rely on levels of verification. Electronic verification systems such as BankID, eID, and digital passports ensure secure validation. With facial recognition, artificial intelligence can analyze a player’s age during registration. Banks also have the power to stop gambling transactions coming from underage players. There are also self-exclusion systems that can automatically block accounts of minors.
Future: What Age Will Be The Standard By 2030?
Industry experts believe that by 2030, the majority of countries will make 18 the legal gambling age online and 21 will be the legal age for land-based casinos. Through interconnected verification systems as well as global registries, platforms will have tighter control over age verification. On top of that, gamified age verification through mobile IDs can make the process more friendly and engaging.
Conclusion
The gambling industry’s approach to age verification has changed drastically over the last decade, from superficial checks to high-tech data-driven protection systems. As these types of technology and regulations keep evolving, they create a more secure, transparent and responsible gambling environment for over-18s.
Corey Heim made it known to the NASCAR community that it was his time to emerge as a champion. He did so by capping off a dominant season with a thrilling double-overtime victory in the 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway on Friday, October 31, while also locking up his first series’ championship.
The 23-year-old Heim from Marietta, Georgia, led four times for 100 of 161 overscheduled laps in a finale where he started sixth and marched his way to the front as he led for the first time on Lap 22. After sweeping both stages and leading a majority of the final stage period at the start, Heim was racing in second place on the track while leading the driver’s championship battle over title rivals Ty Majeski and Kaden Honeycutt when a late-race caution with three laps remaining stalled Heim’s path to the title.
During the caution period, Heim, who opted to pit with nearly the entire field as the event was sent into overtime, was given four fresh tires installed to his entry while Majeski and Honeycutt pitted for only two fresh tires. Despite restarting 10th for a first overtime attempt, Heim used his four fresh tires to execute a bold seven-wide move and move up to second place behind Majeski before the field was sent into a second overtime attempt due to a multi-truck wreck.
At the start of the second overtime attempt, Heim was not to be denied, overtaking Majeski for good before the final lap. With the lead in his possession and four fresh tires to his advantage, Heim proceeded to win an unprecedented 12th time in 2025. As a result, he claimed his first Truck Series championship in his third full-time campaign in the series.
Photo by Ron Olds for SpeedwayMedia.com
With on-track qualifying that determined the starting lineup occurring on Friday, Layne Riggs qualified on pole position with a pole-winning lap at 134.796 mph in 26.707 seconds. Riggs, however, was forced to start at the rear of the field. He also had to serve a drive-through penalty through pit road at the event’s start. This was due to his entry having an unapproved modification and failing the pre-race inspection procedure.
As a result, Chandler Smith, who qualified at 134.710 mph in 26.724 seconds, led the field to the green flag and he shared the front row with Brent Crews, the latter of whom qualified at 134.635 mph in 26.739 seconds. Meanwhile, Championship 4 finalists Kaden Honeycutt, Corey Heim, Ty Majeski and Tyler Ankrum qualified fifth, sixth, eighth and 21st, respectively.
When the green flag waved and the finale commenced, the field fanned out across multiple lanes through the frontstretch’s dogleg as Kaden Honeycutt went beneath Chandler Smith and Brent Crews in an early bid for the lead. Then as the field navigated through the first two turns, the first caution flew when Daniel Hemric, who was racing outside the top-20 mark, slipped up the track, made contact with Cole Butcher and drove Dawson Sutton into the outside wall. The incident knocked both Sutton and Hemric out of contention.
During the caution period, Honeycutt and Jack Wood were sent to the rear of the field for changing lanes before reaching the start/finish line to commence the event.
The start of the next restart on the sixth lap featured Smith and Crews leading the field through the frontstretch’s dogleg as Rajah Caruth split the latter two through the middle lane as he made a bid for the lead entering the first turn. As Caruth appeared to have the edge from the middle lane, Smith used the outside lane to motor ahead. Smith proceeded to lead the next two laps while Caruth, Crews, Corey Heim and Ty Majeski followed suit.
Through the first 10 scheduled laps, Smith was leading by nine-tenths of a second over Heim as the latter overtook Caruth for the runner-up spot. Behind, Caruth, Crews and Majeski were racing in the top five while Tanner Gray, rookie Giovanni Ruggiero, Corey LaJoie, Stefan Parsons and Tyler Reif occupied the top 10 ahead of Bayley Currey, Jake Garcia, Ben Rhodes, Andres Perez De Lara and Tyler Ankrum. Meanwhile, Honeycutt, who served his pass-through penalty, marched his way up to 22nd place while Riggs was mired in 32nd place.
Ten laps later, Smith stabilized his early lead to two-tenths of a second over Heim, while third-place Crews trailed by six-tenths of a second. Meanwhile, Majeski occupied fourth place and he trailed the lead by more than two seconds while Honeycutt and Ankrum were scored in 12th and 18th, respectively.
Another lap later, Heim, who was reeling in Smith for the lead, executed a bold overtake on Smith through the frontstretch to assume the top spot. As Heim proceeded to lead by six-tenths of a second by the Lap 25 mark, Majeski, his closest title-rival competitor on the track, was mired in fourth place and trailing the lead by more than two seconds. Meanwhile, Honeycutt carved his way back into the top-10 mark as he trailed the lead by within 10 seconds, while Ankrum was mired in 15th place and trailing the lead by within 15 seconds.
At the Lap 35 mark, Heim stretched his advantage to more than a second over teammate Crews while Majeski, Caruth, Tanner Gray, LaJoie, Ruggiero, Honeycutt, Parsons and Perez De Lara trailed in the top 10, respectively. Meanwhile, Smith, who pitted under green flag with a vibration, was mired a lap down in 29th place and teammate Riggs was up to 22nd place while Ankrum retained 15th place.
When the first stage period concluded on Lap 45, Heim cruised to his 22nd stage victory of the 2025 season as his lead stood to seven-tenths of a second over teammate Crews. Majeski settled in third place while Caruth, Tanner Gray, LaJoie, Honeycutt, Parsons, Garcia and Ruggiero were scored in the top 10, respectively. Meanwhile, Ankrum settled in 14th place in front of Matt Crafton while Riggs was up to 17th place behind Ben Rhodes.
Under the first stage break period, the lead lap field led by Heim pitted for a first round of service. Following the pit stops, Heim barely beat Caruth off of pit road first and they were followed by Crews, Majeski, Gray, Ruggiero, Connor Mosack, Garcia, Honeycutt and Parsons.
The second stage period started on Lap 54 as Heim and Caruth occupied the front row. At the start, the field fanned out through the frontstretch’s dogleg as Heim used the outside lane to motor his No. 11 Safelite Toyota Tundra TRD Pro entry ahead of Caruth and the field through the first two turns. As Heim led the next two laps, Caruth was being pressured by Majeski for the runner-up spot while Crews, Ruggiero, Tanner Gray and Honeycutt followed suit.
Through the Lap 60 mark, Heim was leading by one-and-a-half seconds over Majeski while Crews and Caruth battled for third place. Behind, Honeycutt moved up to fifth place in front of Gray as Ruggiero, Garcia, Parsons, Perez De Lara, Currey, Mosack, Riggs, LaJoie, and Ankrum, while Chandler Smith, the first competitor a lap down, was strapped in 23rd place.
At the halfway mark on Lap 75, Heim, who has led since the start of the second stage period, continued to lead both the race and the championship battle by more than a second over his closest rival, Majeski. Meanwhile, Honeycutt, the next-closest title rival on the track, was scored in fourth place and trailing the lead by nearly seven seconds, while Ankrum was mired in 16th place and trailing by 18 seconds.
When the second stage period concluded on Lap 90, Heim captured his season-leading and career-high 23rd stage victory of the 2025 season. Majeski followed suit in second by more than a second, while Crews, Honeycutt, Caruth, Gray, Riggs, Garcia, Parsons and Ruggiero were scored in the top 10, respectively. Meanwhile, Ankrum was mired back in 17th place behind Rhodes and Grant Enfinger.
During the second stage break period, the lead lap field led by Heim returned to pit road for service. Following the pit stops, Majeski beat Heim off of pit road first and they were followed by Crews, Caruth, Gray, Honeycutt, Riggs, Garcia, Ruggiero and Bayley Currey.
With 51 laps remaining, the final stage period commenced as championship rivals Majeski and Heim occupied the front row. At the start, both dueled in front of the packed field through the frontstretch’s dogleg. Through the first two turns, Majeski used the outside lane to gain a slight advantage over Heim, but Heim drew himself back alongside Majeski from the inside lane through the backstretch. With a strong dive move beneath Majeski through Turns 3 and 4, Heim cycled back to the frontstretch and led the next lap.
Down to the final 45 laps of the event, Heim was leading by eight-tenths of a second over Majeski as Crews, Honeycutt and Riggs followed suit in the top five, respectively. Meanwhile, Caruth, Gray, Ruggiero, Garcia and LaJoie were racing in the top 10 as Currey, Parsons, Enfinger, Rhodes and Butcher occupied the top-15 mark. Meanwhile, Ankrum was mired in 18th place as Heim proceeded to lead by nearly one-and-a-half seconds with 40 laps remaining.
Shortly after, the caution flew when Clayton Green spun through the first two turns. During the caution period, some, including Riggs, Caruth, Ruggiero, LaJoie, Currey, Parsons, Enfinger, Rhodes, Tyler Reif, Perez De Lara, Mosack, Jack Wood and Matt Crafton pitted their respective entries. The rest, led by Hei,m remained on the track.
The start of the next restart came with 33 laps remaining, but lasted only a lap when trouble ignited within the midfield region. Perez De Lara, who had Ankrum and Caruth nearly colliding into one another in front of him, reacted by veering right and making contact with both teammates, Bayley Currey and Ruggiero. As Perez De Lara clipped Rhodes, the former was sent head-on into the outside wall in Turn 3 along with Currey and Ruggiero, with Perez De Lara’s truck nearly flipping amid the hard impact.
The latest multi-truck incident not only drew a caution, but it also placed the event in a red flag period for eight minutes and 41 seconds. At the moment of caution, Heim was scored the leader over title rivals Majeski and Honeycutt while Riggs, Garcia, Gray, LaJoie, Mosack, Caruth, Parsons and Ankrum followed suit.
When the red flag lifted and the field led by Heim proceeded under a cautious pace, select names that included Gray, Ankrum and Cole Butcher pitted their respective entries while the rest led by Heim remained on the track.
As the event restarted under green with 27 laps remaining, Heim and Majeski dueled for the top spot ahead of Honeycutt, Riggs and the field through the frontstretch before Heim used the outside lane to motor ahead. As Heim proceeded to lead Majeski over the next two laps, Riggs, who recently pitted for fresh tires, motored his No. 34 Love’s Ford F-150 entry into third place after he passed Honeycutt. Not long after Riggs overtook Majeski for second place, the former used the outside lane through the first two turns to assume the race lead from Heim with 24 laps remaining. With Riggs leading the race and in prime position to claim the owner’s title, Heim retained the lead in the driver’s standings in front of Majeski and Honeycutt.
Down to the final 20 laps of the event, Riggs was leading both the race and the owner’s championship battle by four-tenths of a second over Heim as Heim continued to lead the driver’s championship battle in front of Majeski and Honeycutt. Meanwhile, Ankrum, who pitted during the previous caution, battled Tyler Reif for 11th place. Over the next five laps, Ankrum solidified himself in 11th place and both Majeski and Honeycutt kept Heim within their sights on the track. Meanwhile, Riggs retained the lead of the event by six-tenths of a second.
With 10 laps remaining, Riggs was scored the leader by half a second over Heim as the latter continued to race in front of Majeski by eight-tenths of a second and in front of Honeycutt by nearly two seconds, with the latter trio remaining within close reach of one another for the driver’s championship. During the next five laps, Riggs stabilized his late lead to half a second while Heim, who began to grow his advantage and was inching closer to his first championship, was ahead of Majeski by more than a second. Meanwhile, Honeycutt trailed Heim by two seconds while Ankrum was mired in ninth place on the track.
Then with three laps remaining, the caution flew, and the event was sent into overtime when Connor Mosack, whose entry was smoking due to a tire rub, hit the frontstretch wall and drew sparks both from his left-front area with a flat tire detected and damage to his entry’s right side.
During the caution period, a majority of the field led by Riggs and including Championship 4 finalists Heim, Majeski, Honeycutt and Ankrum pitted while Parsons and Butcher remained on the track. Following the pit stops and as mixed pit strategies occurred, Majeski, who pitted for only two fresh tires, exited pit road first and he was followed by Caruth, Honeycutt, Enfinger, Gray and Ankrum. Meanwhile, Riggs and Heim, both of whom pitted for four tires, exited seventh and eighth.
The start of the first overtime attempt featured the front-runners and the field fanning out to multiple lanes through the frontstretch as Majeski, Honeycutt, Caruth and Enfinger all intimidated Parsons and Butcher for the top spot on two fresher tires. Then exiting the frontstretch, Heim, who restarted in 10th place, used his four fresh tires to dive as low as he could through the first two turns as the front-runners fanned out to seven lanes. As the field navigated through the first two turns, Majeski used the outside lane to zip ahead of Heim while Honeycutt and Caruth followed suit.
Then entering Turn 3, the caution flew and the event was sent into a second overtime attempt when Enfinger, who was trying to squeeze his way beneath Ankrum, Gray and Butcher with a four-wide move, made contact with Ankrum and Butcher as the trio, including Gray, went up the track and collided into the Turn 3 outside wall while also clipping and sending Parsons for a spin. At the time of caution, Majeski was scored as the leader over Heim and Honeycutt, but he did not take the white flag prior to the caution being displayed. Before overtime, the event was sent into a second red flag period for four minutes and 48 seconds due to the latest carnage.
When the red flag lifted and the field restarted for a second overtime attempt, Majeski attempted to motor ahead of Heim through the frontstretch’s dogleg. Heim, though, used his four fresh tires to slide up the track and overtake Majeski through the first two turns. With the clean air to his advantage, Heim led through the backstretch while Majeski, Honeycutt, Riggs, Caruth, LaJoie and the rest of the field pursued.
When the white flag waved and the final lap started, Heim was leading by six-tenths of a second over Majeski and nine-tenths over Honeycutt while Riggs and Caruth followed suit in the top five. With Majeski unable to reel in Heim, the latter smoothly navigated his way around Phoenix for a final time before he cycled back to the frontstretch and claimed the checkered flag to win both the finale and the championship by nine-tenths of a second.
By winning for a record-setting 12th time in 2025 and adding his total wins column to 23, Heim became the 22nd competitor overall to win a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship. He also became the first Georgian ever and the first Toyota competitor in four seasons to accomplish the feat of being a champion in the Truck division.
Tonight’s finale at Phoenix marks the fifth time since 2016 and the series’ current Playoff-elimination format where the finale was won by the championship-winning competitor. In addition, Heim became the eighth competitor to claim a Truck title for the first time ever under the format. The 2025 Truck Series championship was a first, both on the driver’s and owner’s side, for TRICON Garage while crew chief Scott Zipadelli achieved his second series title.
Heim’s 2025 championship, which occurred in his third full-time campaign in the Truck circuit and with TRICON Garage, was one that capped off a total dominant year for the Georgian and his No. 11 Toyota team. In addition to winning both the regular-season, the season-ending title and a series-recording 12 races, Heim notched seven poles, 19 top-five results, 21 top-10 results, 1,625 laps led and an average-finishing result of 5.0 throughout this year’s 25-race schedule. He also became the first competitor to lead in all 25 races throughout this season and he completed all but four laps registered throughout the schedule.
Despite uncertainties lingering over his racing plans for the 2026 season, Heim soaked in his first championship-winning experience both on the frontstretch and on the championship stage as he solidified his name as a NASCAR champion.
AVONDALE, ARIZONA – OCTOBER 31: Corey Heim, driver of the #11 Safelite Toyota, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway on October 31, 2025 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images).
“I just am so grateful to be where I’m at,” Heim said on the frontstretch on FS1. “[I’m] Just so thankful for TRICON Garage, Toyota for taking a chance on me years ago…I was so stressed out ever since we went to the [Charlotte] Roval because I knew we had to defend this insane year we’ve been having. I’ve been like so terrible to just talk to as a person. I’ve been so stressed out, but this just is such a relief, to say the least. [I’m] Just so thankful for everybody. There’s such a long list of names, but just so thankful for everyone involved.”
During his championship interview, Heim credited his crew chief Scott Zipadelli for the late-race pit call for four fresh tires that enabled Heim to motor his way to the front and win both the finale and the championship.
“I don’t care if I was on hundred-lap tires,” Heim added. “No one was going to beat me tonight. It wasn’t going to happen. We struggled all weekend, really, in practice, we had some issues in qualifying. We missed [the adjustments] a little bit, but you can always trust Scott up on the [pit] box. To do everything he can to put me in a position to win the race and that’s what he did. [I] Just drove [the truck] in deep until I couldn’t anymore and just drove away with it. It’s Heim Time tonight, for sure.”
As Heim celebrated his championship, Ty Majeski settled in the runner-up spot both on the track and in the final championship standings. Despite capping off the 2025 season with zero victories and falling one spot short of winning back-to-back titles, Majeski, who had a late-race opportunity to win on two fresh tires, wraps up the season with 10 top-five results, 18 top-10 results, 199 laps led and an average-finishing result of 9.8. Majeski will replace his retiring teammate and three-time champion Matt Crafton in the No. 88 ThorSport Racing Ford F-150 entry in 2026 as he will make another bid for a second title.
“Yeah, [I’m] really just proud of the whole season that this group put together,” Majeski said. “I thought we were poised to do something very special tonight. Honestly, [I was] just a little bit short. Very close tonight at portions of the run to [Heim]. I thought at times we were actually better than him, but overall, he was just too strong, and I couldn’t get a good enough restart to take advantage of when in the run my truck was better. I wished we could’ve been two-time [champions] tonight, but [I’m] just really proud of the effort and thankful for this opportunity.”
Meanwhile, Kaden Honeycutt, who made a mid-season swap from Niece Motorsports to Halmar Friesen Racing to replace the injured Stewart Friesen and contended in his first Championship 4 appearance as a title contender, settled in third place both on the track and in the final standings. Nevertheless, Honeycutt was left satisfied with a season that generated four top-five results, 14 top-10 results, 51 laps led and an average-finishing result of 12.8. While his plans for the 2026 season have not yet been announced, Honeycutt will return to the Truck Series division next season and bid for both his first victory and another Championship 4 bid.
“[I have] Definitely nothing to hang my head about [tonight’s finish], for sure,” Honeycutt said. “My goal when I signed up this year was to at least be here and we did that. Any shape, profession, for sure. [It] Definitely was a crazy journey to be here. Thanks to everyone that’s supported me and been in my corner. We’re looking forward to next year and hopefully, have Stewart [Freisen] back in this [No. 52] seat where he belongs with this team.”
Lastly, Tyler Ankrum, who was involved in the multi-truck accident during the first overtime attempt, could only carve his way to a 14th-place result when the checkered flag flew for a career-best fourth place in his first Championship 4 appearance as a title finalist. Like Honeycutt, Ankrum was left pleased in a season where he snapped a six-year winless drought by winning at Rockingham Speedway in April. Ankrum also racked up eight top-five results, 15 top-10 results, 102 laps led and an average-finishing result of 10.8 throughout the 2025 season. He will remain at McAnally-Hilgemann Racing in 2026, where he will make another Championship 4 bid.
“[There’s] Not much to complain about, overall, in the whole year,” Ankrum said. “[I] Wish we would’ve just shown better [competitiveness] in the Final Four, but we’ll be back here next year.”
Layne Riggs, who made a late rally to contend for the owner’s championship, settled in fourth place on the track and in fifth place in the final driver’s standings. Rajah Caruth, who settled in sixth place in the standings, claimed fifth place on the track at Phoenix while Jake Garcia, Corey LaJoie, Chandler Smith, Tyler Reif and Jack Wood completed the top 10.
Notably, Matt Crafton finished 13th in his 592nd consecutive and final start as a full-time NASCAR Truck Series competitor. In addition, Giovanni Ruggiero, who was unable to finish the finale but settled in 11th place in the standings, claimed the 2025 Truck Series’ Rookie-of-the-Year title.
The finale featured 10 lead changes for six different leaders, and seven cautions for laps. In addition, 15 of 34 starters finished on the lead lap.
Results:
1. Corey Heim, 100 laps led, Stages 1 & 2 winner 2. Ty Majeski, nine laps led 3. Kaden Honeycutt 4. Layne Riggs, 24 laps led 5. Rajah Caruth, three laps led 6. Jake Garcia 7. Corey LaJoie 8. Chandler Smith, 21 laps led 9. Tyler Reif 10. Jack Wood 11. Matt Mills 12. Stefan Parsons, four laps led 13. Matt Crafton 14. Tyler Ankrum 15. Nathan Byrd 16. Luke Baldwin, one lap down 17. Spencer Boyd, two laps down 18. Greg Van Alst, two laps down 19. Frankie Muniz, two laps down 20. Clayton Green, three laps down 21. Caleb Costner, four laps down 22. Caleb Costner, four laps down 23. Cole Butcher – OUT, Accident 24. Grant Enfinger – OUT, Accident 25. Toni Breidinger, eight laps down 26. Connor Mosack – OUT Accident 27. Bayley Currey – OUT, Accident 28. Brent Crews – OUT, Axle 29. Ben Rhodes – OUT, Accident 30. Andres Perez de Lara – OUT, Accident 31. Giovanni Ruggiero – OUT, Accident 32. Mason Maggio – OUT, Engine 33. Daniel Hemric – OUT, Accident 34. Dawson Sutton – OUT, Accident *Bold indicates Championship 4 contenders
Final standings
1. Corey Heim 2. Ty Majeski 3. Kaden Honeycutt 4. Tyler Ankrum 5. Layne Riggs 6. Rajah Caruth 7. Grant Enfinger 8. Chandler Smith 9. Daniel Hemric 10. Jake Garcia
The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series’ teams and competitors enter an off-season period before returning to action at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, on February 13, 2026, for a new season of competition.
Layne Riggs claimed the pole position for the 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway on Friday, October 31.
The event’s qualifying format consisted of a single-truck, impounded format, with each competitor cycling once around Phoenix in a bid to record the fastest time.
During the qualifying session, Riggs posted his qualifying lap at 134.796 mph in 26.707 seconds, which was enough for the 23-year-old native from Bahama, North Carolina, to claim the final pole position of the 2025 season. With the pole, Riggs, who inked a multi-year contract extension with Front Row Motorsports (FRM) two days earlier, recorded his fourth Craftsman Truck Series career pole, his first at Phoenix and his second in back-to-back events.
Riggs previously started on pole position during last weekend’s Round of 8 finale at Martinsville Speedway, where he then proceeded to finish in third place during the main event and miss the Championship 4 cutline on a tie-breaker. Despite not being eligible for the 2025 Craftsman Truck Series’ driver’s championship, Riggs is contending for the owner’s championship for his No. 34 FRM Ford F-150 team.
Riggs’ Phoenix pole occurred hours after his entry was penalized by NASCAR for violations that involved the discovery of an unapproved modification and the addition of a panel to the oil tank “that closes off the area between it and the floorboard.”
The violation was discovered during the pre-race technical inspection procedure. As a result, crew chief Dylan Cappello has been ejected, while engineer Jonathan Coates will be serving as Riggs’ interim crew chief for the finale. In addition, Riggs, who was allowed the qualify, will drop to the rear of the field and serve a pass-through penalty at the event’s start.
Amid the disappointment of surrendering his top-starting spot, Riggs was pleased with his qualifying performance as he strives to cap off the 2025 season with a fourth victory in his sophomore Truck Series campaign.
“I actually wasn’t expecting [the speed for pole position]. He continued, I feel like I messed up that lap a little bit, but I gave it my all there. I knew we’re gonna start in the back, but still just wanted to see the potential that we had, make sure that the adjustments we made from our mock qualifying run was better than it was. Great job by my crew, my engineer, Jonathan Coates. Me and him work on qualifying a lot.”
“Four poles this year for the No. 34 truck,” Riggs added. “That’s a great accomplishment. [I’m] Gonna try to make it exciting tonight. I wish we could stay up there [on pole position], but still just pleased with the speed even after all the changes we had to make.”
Riggs will share the front row with teammate Chandler Smith, the latter of whom posted his qualifying lap at 134.710 mph in 26.724 seconds. With Riggs’ penalty, Smith will be the competitor who will control the start and lead the field to the start of Friday night’s finale. Brent Crews qualified in third place with a qualifying lap at 134.635 mph in 26.739 seconds and he will share the second row with teammate Tanner Gray, the latter of whom qualified at 134.620 mph in 26.742 seconds.
Meanwhile, Kaden Honeycutt will be the highest-starting Championship 4 finalist in fifth place (134.595 mph in 26.747 seconds). He will share the third row with Corey Heim, another Championship 4 finalist and 11-time race winner of the 2025 season (134.474 mph in 26.771 seconds).
Ty Majeski, the reigning Truck Series champion and a Championship 4 finalist who was the fastest competitor during Thursday’s practice session, will start in eighth place (133.939 mph in 26.878 seconds). Lastly, Tyler Ankrum, the fourth Championship 4 finalist, will take the green flag from the 11th row and in the 21st-starting spot (132.734 mph in 27.122 seconds).
Rajah Caruth will start in seventh place alongside Majeski while rookie Giovanni Ruggiero and Ben Rhodes completed the top-10 starting lineup for the finale at Phoenix in ninth and 10th, respectively.
With 34 competitors vying for 34 starting spots, all of the entered competitors made the event.
Qualifying Results:
1. Layne Riggs, 134.796 mph, 26.707 seconds
2. Chandler Smith, 134.710 mph, 26.724 seconds
3. Brent Crews, 134.635 mph, 26.739 seconds
4. Tanner Gray, 134.620 mph, 26.742 seconds
5. Kaden Honeycutt, 134.595 mph, 26.747 seconds
6. Corey Heim, 134.474 mph, 26.771 seconds
7. Rajah Caruth, 134.078 mph, 26.850 seconds
8. Ty Majeski, 133.939 mph, 26.878 seconds
9. Giovanni Ruggiero, 133.854 mph, 26.895 seconds
10. Ben Rhodes, 133.546 mph, 26.957 seconds
11. Stefan Parsons, 133.333 mph, 27 seconds
12. Corey LaJoie, 133.323 mph, 27.002 seconds
13. Tyler Reif, 133.309 mph, 27.005 seconds
14. Jake Garcia, 133.141 mph, 27.039 seconds
15. Jack Wood, 133.102 mph, 27.047 seconds
16. Andres Perez De Lara, 133.067 mph, 27,054 seconds
17. Bayley Currey, 133.043 mph, 27.059 seconds
18. Cole Butcher, 133.003 mph, 27.067 seconds
19. Daniel Hemric, 132.974 mph, 27.073 seconds
20. Connor Mosack, 132.915 mph, 27.085 seconds
21. Tyler Ankrum, 132.734 mph, 27.122 seconds
22. Dawson Sutton, 132.553 mph, 27.159 seconds
23. Grant Enfinger, 132.514 mph, 27.167 seconds
24. Luke Baldwin, 132.431 mph, 27.184 seconds
25. Matt Crafton, 130.904 mph, 27.501 seconds
26. Toni Breidinger, 130.662 mph, 27.552 seconds
27. Spencer Boyd 130.425 mph, 27.602 seconds
28. Frankie Muniz, 130.307 mph, 27.627 seconds
29. Nathan Byrd, 129.576 mph, 27.783 seconds
30. Clayton Green, 128.461 mph, 28.024 seconds
31. Greg Van Alst, 125.843 mph, 28.607 seconds
32. Mason Maggio, Owner Points
33. Matt Mills, Owner Points
34. Caleb Costner, Owner Points
*Bold indicates Championship 4 contenders
The 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway is scheduled to occur on Friday, October 31, at 7:30 p.m. ET on FS1, NASCAR Racing Network and SiriusXM.
Acclaimed star of stage and screen to perform ahead of the historic season finale at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday, Nov. 2
PHOENIX (Oct. 31, 2025) – The stage is set, the engines are primed, and the stars are aligning for an unforgettable NASCAR Championship Weekend at Phoenix Raceway! Adding to the excitement, Tony and Emmy Award-winning actor and singer Darren Criss will perform the national anthem before the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race on Sunday as the best drivers in the world battle for the Bill France Cup.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Darren Criss to Phoenix Raceway for NASCAR Championship Weekend,” said Latasha Causey, President of Phoenix Raceway. “His incredible talent and energy are the perfect complement to the excitement and emotion of crowning our NASCAR champions. This is going to be a weekend fans will never forget!”
Criss first rose to fame as Blaine Anderson on the hit television series Glee, earning acclaim for his dynamic performances and chart-topping covers. He went on to win Emmy, Golden Globe, and Critics’ Choice awards for his riveting portrayal of Andrew Cunanan in The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story. A versatile artist with roots in both theater and music, Criss has also starred on Broadway. He most recently took home the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical for his captivating performance as Oliver in the multi-Tony Award winning musical, Maybe Happy Ending. He returns to the acclaimed role at the Belasco Theatre beginning Nov. 5. Additional Broadway production credits include Hedwig and the Angry Inch and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. He has also released multiple albums showcasing his diverse musical range, including his well-received holiday album aptly entitled, A Very Darren Crissmas.
What else is undeniable is the excitement on tap during NASCAR Championship Weekend at Phoenix Raceway. To wit:
Today, the adrenaline kicks off with the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Championship Race.
The excitement builds Saturday with the NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship Race and the ARCA Menards Series West’s Desert Diamond Casino West Valley 100.
And then on Sunday, the grand finale to the 2025 NASCAR season – the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race. Country superstar Jordan Davis will fire up the crowd with a high-energy pre-race concert before the green flag drops on what promises to be a NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race for the ages.
With star-studded performances, non-stop racing action, and championship glory on the line, it’s no surprise only a scant number of tickets remain for NASCAR’s season finale. Fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets now before it’s too late at www.phoenixraceway.com.
About Phoenix Raceway
Home to NASCAR Championship Weekend since 2020, Phoenix Raceway has been the premier motorsports venue in the Southwest since 1964 and hosts two NASCAR race weekends each year. In 2025, the spring event weekend, March 7-9, kicks off the race season at Phoenix Raceway and features the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series and ARCA Menards Series. Phoenix Raceway will once again host NASCAR Championship Weekend, Oct. 31-Nov. 2. During the action-packed, three-day event, champions will be crowned in the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series, NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and ARCA Menards Series West. Phoenix Raceway also hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including concerts, corporate meetings and conferences, charity events, weddings, holiday events, sport and endurance competitions, and driving schools. For more information, visit www.PhoenixRaceway.com and download the new NASCAR Tracks App at www.phoenixraceway.com/nascar-tracks-app/.
About NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 14 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR sanctions races in three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series™), four international series (NASCAR Brasil Series, NASCAR Canada Series, NASCAR Euro Series, NASCAR Mexico Series), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and a local grassroots series (NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in five cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races annually in 11 countries and more than 30 U.S. states.
For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, X and Facebook.
Freeway Insurance to Also Become Title Sponsor for the 2026 Fall NASCAR Cup Series Freeway Insurance 500 at Phoenix Raceway
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Oct. 31, 2025) – NASCAR today announced that Freeway Insurance, a division of Confie and the largest independent personal lines agency and broker in the U.S., has joined as the fourth Premier Partner of the NASCAR Cup Series, marking a significant addition to the sport’s group of Premier Partners.
The multi-year agreement establishes Freeway Insurance as an official Premier Partner alongside Coca-Cola, Busch Light, and Xfinity, and underscores NASCAR’s continued commercial momentum as major national brands invest in the sport’s growing fanbase and dynamic platform. The announcement also includes Freeway Insurance becoming the Official Insurance Partner and the entitlement partner for the fall NASCAR Cup Series Freeway Insurance 500 at Phoenix Raceway. The partnerships will officially kick off in 2026.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Freeway Insurance to the NASCAR family as a Premier Partner and a race entitlement partner at Phoenix Raceway,” said Steve O’Donnell, President of NASCAR. “This partnership highlights the strong alignment between our two brands — dedication to serving everyday Americans is at the heart of everything we do. Freeway’s commitment further reinforces the strength and growth of NASCAR’s commercial ecosystem as we continue to attract top-tier partners who see the value and excitement of this sport.”
Freeway Insurance and NASCAR represent two iconic American institutions — both deeply connected to the road, fueled by passion, and commitment to excellence for millions of loyal customers and fans nationwide.
Freeway Insurance provides affordable, reliable insurance options to drivers and families in all 50 states. Through its extensive retail network, over-the-phone service, and online platform, Freeway helps customers find the right coverage at the right price — from auto, truck, and home to RV and boat insurance. Freeway empowers people to make confident, informed decisions about their insurance needs, reflecting its mission to make quality coverage accessible to everyone. The brand’s commitment to service, trust, and protection aligns seamlessly with NASCAR’s focus on accessibility, innovation, and community.
“At Freeway Insurance, we’re proud to partner with NASCAR — a sport that embodies the same energy, trust, and drive that define our brand,” said Cesar Soriano, CEO of Freeway Insurance and U.S. Army Veteran. “As someone who has served our country, I take great pride in leading a brand that serves hardworking Americans every day. Trust is the foundation of what we do — whether it’s helping families protect what matters most or supporting a sport that fans trust and love. NASCAR’s fans and our customers share the same values — determination, family, and a love of the open road — and the Freeway Insurance 500 will be a celebration of everything that makes this country great.”
As part of the partnership, Freeway Insurance will be prominently integrated across multiple touchpoints of the NASCAR Cup Series, including race entitlements, sponsorship of the “Choose Rule” on Motor Racing Network and Performance Racing Network live broadcasts, digital activations, and fan engagement programs designed to bring fans closer to the action and help families win when it comes to their insurance needs. Freeway Insurance also becomes the exclusive insurance provider for NASCAR, its social media platforms, and all tracks where the national series race.
Together, NASCAR and Freeway Insurance will drive forward a shared mission: to connect with fans and customers across the country — on and off the track — through authenticity, innovation, trust and the open road that unites them.
Freeway Insurance is no stranger to NASCAR, as it’s been a banner partner of NASCAR Cup Series driver Daniel Suarez for the last five seasons. With Suárez set to join Spire Motorsports and pilot the No. 7 Chevrolet beginning in 2026, Freeway is proud to once again ride alongside him — this time as both a team partner and a Premier Partner of the NASCAR Cup Series.
About NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 14 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR sanctions races in three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series™), four international series (NASCAR Brasil Series, NASCAR Canada Series, NASCAR Euro Series, NASCAR Mexico Series), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and a local grassroots series (NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in five cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races annually in 11 countries and more than 30 U.S. states.
For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, X and Facebook.
About Freeway Insurance
Established in 1987, Freeway Insurance is one of the largest and fastest-growing personal lines insurance brokers in the United States, offering coverage through a “click, call, or come in” approach that connects customers nationwide. The company continually researches, grows, and diversifies its product offerings to stay responsive to the evolving insurance market. Freeway provides a wide range of options—from basic to premium coverage—in auto, truck, commercial vehicle, homeowners, renters, small business, motorcycle, recreational vehicle, fire, and flood insurance. In 2008, Freeway Insurance became part of Confie, the nation’s leading personal lines insurance distribution company. Customers can access Freeway Insurance through neighborhood offices, online at www.freeway.com, or by calling (800) 300-0227.
The NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) heads to Phoenix Raceway for the 2025 series finale on Sunday, November 2nd at 3 p.m. ET on NBC.
Last season, now retired Martin Truex Jr. captured the pole with a lap of 134.741 mph (26.718 secs.) and Joey Logano led twice for 107 laps en route to his win, and elevated his status to another level and in an elite category of three-time champions in the NASCAR Cup Series.
The NASCAR Cup Series 2025 Championship 4 Round Drivers at Phoenix Raceway
Rank
Driver
Races
Poles
Wins
Top-5
Top-10
DNFs
Avg Finish
Driver Rating
1
Chase Briscoe
9
0
1
2
4
2
18.4
75.2
2
Denny Hamlin
40
3
2
17
23
1
10.6
98.8
3
William Byron
15
2
1
3
9
0
10.8
97
4
Kyle Larson
22
2
1
10
14
2
10.7
97.8
Track & Race Information for the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Championship 4
Playoff Race #: 10 of 10 Track Size/Type: 1 Mile Asphalt Oval The Purse: $12,394,135 The Time: 3 p.m. ET TV: NBC, 2 p.m. ET Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR (Channel 90) Banking/Turn 1 & 2: 9 degrees Banking/Turn 3 & 4: 11 degrees Banking/Frontstretch: 3 degrees Banking/Backstretch: 9 degrees Race Length: 312 laps / 500 Kilometers / 312 Miles
Time
November 2 at 3 p.m. ET on NBC, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).
Stages
Stage 1 Length: 60 laps Stage 2 Length: 125 laps (Ends on Lap 185) Final Stage Length: 127 laps (Ends on Lap 312)
Who and what should you look out for at Phoenix Raceway?
NASCAR Cup Series Championship 4 Comparisons:
2025
Starts
Wins
Top-5
Top-10
Poles
Laps Led
Laps Comp
% Led
Avg Start
Avg Finish
Driver Rating
Chase Briscoe
35
3
15
19
7
881
8,634
10.20%
9.9
12.5
90.8
Denny Hamlin
35
6
14
17
4
816
8,533
9.56%
12.3
14.2
90.6
William Byron
35
3
11
16
3
1278
8,946
14.29%
10.2
14.0
97.8
Kyle Larson
35
3
14
21
1
1106
8,867
12.47%
11.6
13.5
93.8
Totals & Averages
12
41
69
8
1797
36,116
11.63%
11.0
13.6
93.3
Denny Hamlin (No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota) has three poles, two wins, 17 top fives, 23 top 10s, and a series-best average finish of 10.600.
Kyle Larson (No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet) has two poles, one win, 10 top fives, 14 top 10s, and an average finish of 10.682.
William Byron (No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet) has two poles, one win, three top fives, nine top 10s, and an average finish of 10.800.
Chase Briscoe (No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota) has one win, two top fives, four top 10s, and an average finish of 18.444.
Joey Logano leads all active NCS drivers this weekend with three wins (2016, 2022, 2024). In 2024, Logano won from the second starting position at Phoenix Raceway. With the win, Logano earned his third NASCAR Cup Series championship (2018, 2022, 2024). In 2022, Logano won from the pole position at Phoenix Raceway and earned his second NASCAR Cup Series championship.
Larson (2021) and Hamlin (2019) are the two Championship 4 drivers this season who have won a Playoff race at Phoenix. In 2021, Larson won from the pole at Phoenix Raceway and, as a result, won his first series championship.
The winner of the race has also won the NASCAR Cup Series title in three of the last four seasons. In 2023, Ryan Blaney finished runner-up at Phoenix to win his first title.
Chase Elliott won on Nov. 8, 2020
Kyle Larson won on Nov. 7, 2021
Joey Logano won on Nov. 6, 2022, and on Nov. 10, 2024.
There are four current Championship 4 contenders that are active Phoenix winners this weekend.
AJ Allmendinger extended the longest active top-10 finish streak at Homestead-Miami Speedway following a seventh-place finish and now holds the best average finish in the Next-Gen era at the track. Allmendinger earned his first top five of the 2025 season in the Coca-Cola 600. He crossed the finish line in fourth-place, scoring his best finish of the season, following a fifth-place qualifying effort. His second top-five finish of the season came at Darlington Raceway in the Southern 500.
Kaulig Racing welcomes Supercars Champion Will Brown for the Chicago Street Race. Brown later returned to run the team’s No. 11 entry in the NASCAR Xfinity race at Portland Raceway.
AJ Allmendinger earned Kaulig Racing’s lone NASCAR Cup Series Pole award of the 2025 season at Bristol Motor Speedway with a lap time of 15.117 seconds. This marked his first pole in the series since 2015.
Christian Eckes earned two top fives and four top-10 finishes on road courses this season. He also earned a third-place finish at his home track of Pocono Raceway.
At Darlington Raceway, Daniel Dye paid tribute to the late Kyle Petty with a throwback scheme. He also donated a portion of his winnings to Victory Junction.
The Kaulig Racing drivers competed in the Kaulig Companies Champion Pro-Am at Firestone Country Club.
Justin Haley returned to compete in the No. 11 Chevrolet in WaWa 250 at Daytona International Raceway, a track where he earned two wins for the team.
Kaulig Racing is named the anchor team for RAM’s return to NASCAR. So far, the team has named Brenden Queen, Daniel Dye, and Justin Haley as full-time drivers for the 2026 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season.
During Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in September, Daniel Dye delivered Race to Stop Suicide bracelets to team haulers and media members at World Wide Technology Raceway.
Kaulig Racing announced today the promotion of Chris Rice from President to Chief Executive Officer. Rice, who has been with the team since its inception in 2016, has played a vital role in the organization’s growth and success in NASCAR.
Daniel Dye was named a finalist for the Comcast Community Champion Award, a prestigious award given to a NASCAR industry member who goes above and beyond to make a difference in their community, for his work with Race to Stop Suicide.
In his first full season with Kaulig Racing in the Cup Series, Ty Dillon made headlines as he finished second in the first ever, In-Season Challenge. Throughout the Challenge, Dillon faced No. 1 seed Denny Hamlin in Round 1 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, No. 17 seed Brad Keselowski in Round 2 at the Chicago Street Course, No. 8 seed Alex Bowman in Round 3 at Sonoma Raceway, No. 12 seed John Hunter Nemechek in Round 4 at Dover Motor Speedway and No. 6 seed Ty Gibbs in the Championship Round at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
At Phoenix Raceway:
Kaulig Racing has made 14 starts at Phoenix Raceway in the NASCAR Cup Series. In the NASCAR Xfinity Series, the team has earned six top five and 23 top-10 finishes at Phoenix.
10 Team Info
Crew Chief: Andrew Dickeson
Partner: Alpine Partners / AFLAC
Ty Dillon, No. 10 Alpine Partners/AFLAC Camaro ZL1 Alpine Partners / AFLAC: Alpine, in partnership with Aflac, will serve as the primary partner of Ty Dillon and the No. 10 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet team this weekend for the 2025 season finale at Pheonix Raceway.
Alpine Benefits was established using its 50+ year experience in group benefits to bring high quality employee benefits to brokers, agencies and employers. With a commitment to service excellence and cutting-edge technology, Alpine helps companies create benefits programs that attract and retain top talent, all while reducing administrative burdens. Alpine’s client-first approach ensures that its clients receive the personalized attention and tailored solutions necessary to succeed in today’s competitive environment.
Meet Ty Dillon:
Friday, October 31
Ty Dillon will be at the NASCAR Experience Stage for a friendly game of Family Feud at 12:30 p.m. MT. Sunday, November 2
Ty Dillon will be at the Busch Light Lounge in the Midway for a fan Q & A at 9:30 a.m. MT. Dillon will be at the Chevrolet Merchandise Hauler at 9:50 a.m. MT to meet fans and sign autographs.
At Phoenix Raceway:
Earlier this season, Ty Dillon and the No. 10 team finished 16th at Phoenix Raceway after running inside the top five with a fast Chevrolet.
Dillon will make his 16th-career NASCAR Cup Series start on Sunday at Phoenix Raceway. In his previous 15 starts at the track, he has nine top-20 finishes.
In the Xfinity Series, Dillon has nine starts with a best finish of fourth in 2014 and has led 16 laps.
Dillon has three starts at the track in the Truck Series with 21 total laps led and a best finish of fourth in 2013.
Dillon’s best finish of the season came in the first round of the In-Season Challenge when he finished eighth at Atlanta Motor Speedway and heading in to the season finale, Dillon has earned 13 top-20 finishes so far this season.
“I’m excited to go to Phoenix to finish out our year. It’s been a great year with Kaulig Racing. There’s been a lot of highs, and great moments throughout the season. The In-Season tournament was awesome run for our whole program. I’m looking forward to being at Phoenix, probably the site of one of our closest opportunities to win a race earlier this year. It’s a place that I love and I’m looking forward to finishing out the year with a great finish.” – Ty Dillon on Phoenix Raceway
16 Team Info
Crew Chief: Trent Owens
Partner: Celsius
AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Celsius Camaro ZL1
Celsius: AJ Allmendinger will debut a new Celsius paint scheme on the No. 16 Chevrolet for the Cup Series Championship race weekend at Phoenix Raceway. Highlighting the new, limited edition Celsius Spritz Vibe, the scheme is inspired by the orange and blues of the Spritz Vibe can design.
Celsius is known for their better-for-you lineup of energy and hydration products, all zero sugar and created with essential vitamins. As the Official Energy Drink of Kaulig Racing, Celsius fuels Allmendinger and the No. 16 team every race weekend to keep them performing at their best.
Meet AJ Allmendinger:
Sunday, November 2
AJ Allmendinger will be at the Phoenix Raceway Infield Experience Stage on Sunday, November, 2 from 10:15 a.m. MT to 10:30 a.m. MT for a Q&A.
At Phoenix Raceway:
AJ Allmendinger heads to Phoenix Raceway 25th in driver points for the 2025 season. He has earned one pole award, two top five, seven top-10 finishes and 42 laps led.
This season, AJ Allmendinger earned Kaulig Racing’s lone NASCAR Cup Series Pole award of the 2025 season at Bristol Motor Speedway with a lap time of 15.117 seconds. This marked his first pole in the series since 2015. Allmendinger also earned two top five finishes, seven top-10 finishes and led 42 laps.
“One to go. Kaulig Racing and our No. 16 group has a lot of positives to take away from this year, even though the results didn’t always show that. As we head to Phoenix, we’re focused on closing out the season with a strong run, continuing to learn and focusing ahead to the off-season and building for 2026.” – AJ Allmendinger on Phoenix Raceway
10 Team Info
Crew Chief: Kevin Walter
Partner: Champion Container
Daniel Dye, No. 10 Champion Container Chevrolet
Champion Container: Champion Container, a family-owned business specializing in industrial packaging and container solutions, will be onboard Daniel Dye’s No. 10 Chevrolet for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway.
At Phoenix Raceway:
Daniel Dye has made two NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at Phoenix Raceway with Kaulig Racing.
Dye has also made two starts at Phoenix in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and two starts in the ARCA Menards Series West, where he earned one top-five finish.
In his first full season with Kaulig Racing, Dye earned eight top-10 finishes.
“Phoenix is probably my favorite race track. We had a pretty good race there in the spring, but we got off on our strategy, which hindered what should have been a better finish. We’ve worked really hard this season, and hopefully we will go out and have a good result for the final race of the season to cap off a good Xfinity Series career for Kaulig Racing.” – Daniel Dye on Phoenix Raceway
11 Team Info
Crew Chief: Eddie Pardue
Partner: LeafFilter Gutter Protection
Brenden Queen, No. 11 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Chevrolet
LeafFilter Gutter Protection: Brenden Queen will drive the No. 11 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Chevrolet at Phoenix Raceway. LeafFilter is America’s #1 rated gutter protection system trusted by more than a million homeowners. LeafFilter’s patented technology keeps gutters free of debris and is backed by a lifetime transferable warranty.
At Phoenix Raceway:
Brenden Queen will make his first NASCAR Xfinity Series start at Phoenix Raceway in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship.
He has previously made one start at the one-mile track in the ARCA Menards Series West earlier this year, finishing in the runner-up position after leading 96 laps.
“It’s super cool to be in the OG Leaf Filter scheme for the final race of the season. I grew up watching that car race, long before I got this opportunity. I’m excited to get back to Phoenix, a track where I almost won in the spring, and rebound after Martinsville with my crew chief Eddie [Pardue] and all the No. 11 guys. They brought such a fast car last week, so I don’t see why we can’t do it again this week. The only way I can think of thanking Matt Kaulig for this opportunity would be by trying to get a win in the finale.” – Brenden Queen on Phoenix Raceway
16 Team Info
Crew Chief: Alex Yontz
Partner: Campers Inn RV Mobile Medic
Christian Eckes, No. 16 Campers Inn RV Mobile Medic Chevrolet
Campers Inn RV Mobile Medic: Christian Eckes will drive the No. 16 Campers Inn RV Mobile Medic Chevrolet at Phoenix Raceway in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship race. Campers Inn RV Mobile Medic is the premier mobile RV service provider for Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand. Its industry-certified technicians provide fast and reliable service on a variety of maintenance tasks right at its customers’ campsites. The mobile medic will also be at many of the race tracks on the NASCAR schedule.
At Phoenix Raceway:
Christian Eckes has made one NASCAR Xfinity Series start at Phoenix Raceway with Kaulig Racing where he earned an eighth-place finish.
Eckes has made six starts at Phoenix in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, where he has earned one win, three top fives, and has finished in the top 10 in five of his six attempts.
In his first full season with Kaulig Racing, Eckes earned six top five and 15 top-10 finishes.
“I’m very excited to get to Phoenix this weekend for the final Xfinity Series race of the year. It definitely hasn’t been a perfect season, but I’m proud of the progress we’ve made since the last race there earlier this Spring and look forward to seeing a better effort due to that. I’m so thankful and beyond grateful for the opportunity to drive the No. 16 car this season, and I am prepared to end it on a high note.” – Christian Eckes on Phoenix Raceway
Meet the Kaulig Racing Drivers
Friday, October 31
Ty Dillon will be at the NASCAR Experience Stage for a friendly game of Family Feud at 12:30 p.m. MT. Sunday, November 2
Ty Dillon will be at the Busch Light Lounge in the Midway for a fan Q & A at 9:30 a.m. MT.
Dillon will be at the Chevrolet Merchandise Hauler at 9:50 a.m. MT to meet fans and sign autographs.
AJ Allmendinger will be at the Phoenix Raceway Infield Experience Stage on Sunday, November, 2 from 10:15 a.m. MT to 10:30 a.m. MT for a Q&A.
About Kaulig Racing
Kaulig Racing™ is a full-time, multi-car NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) and NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) team, owned by award winning entrepreneur, Matt Kaulig. Established in 2016, Kaulig Racing™ has earned 27 NXS wins, made the NXS Playoffs consecutively each season since the playoff system started, and won two regular-season championships. In 2021, the team competed in select NCS events, before expanding to a two-car, full-time NCS team in 2022 and adding a third, part-time entry during the 2023 season. Since its first NCS start in 2021, the team has earned two wins. Kaulig Racing is currently fielding two full-time entries in the NCS and continues to field three full-time NXS entries. To learn more about the team, visit kauligracing.com.
ROCKINGHAM, N.C. (Oct. 31, 2025) – With just one race left on the schedule and the 2025 season practically in the rear view, it’s time for race fans to lock in their seats for Rockingham Speedway’s second annual NASCAR Easter Weekend classic, April 3-4, 2026.
Following a sellout in 2025, tickets are officially now on sale to the general public for the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (formerly the NASCAR Xfinity Series), NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and ARCA Menards Series East tripleheader weekend at the celebrated Richmond County oval.
Iowa native Sammy Smith earned the North Carolina Education Lottery 250 presented by Black’s Tire victory for JR Motorsports in the division’s return to the iconic oval to become the 24th different winner in series history at the storied facility.
The Black’s Tire 200 marked the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series third visit to Rockingham Speedway with 24-year-old Tyler Ankrum taking the checkered flag.
Premier Parking has been expanded for 2026, making two lots available to either expedite race fans’ access to the grandstands or provide a speedy exit following the races.
Due to high demand in 2025, campers can reserve space in Dry Camp 1,3, and Party Camping lots. Each lot will be clearly marked and specific spaces will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis upon arrival at the speedway on race weekend.
Tickets are on sale now and race fans can log on to RacetheRock.com to purchase and for continuing details and updates.
About Rockingham Speedway …
Located in Richmond County, N.C., Rockingham Speedway opened as a flat, one-mile oval on Oct. 31, 1965. It was reconfigured to a one-mile (1.017 miles) high-banked, D-shaped oval in 1969 and currently measures 0.94-miles in length. On Nov. 18, 2021, N.C., Governor Roy Cooper signed the 2021-2022 North Carolina state budget allocating $9 million to support reinvestment in the facility. The state funds, along with additional investments, allowed for redevelopment of the racetrack including the racing surface and extensive repairs.
About Track Enterprises …
Track Enterprises has been promoting motorsports events since 1985. Based in Macon, Ill., a dedicated staff, led by longtime promoter Bob Sargent, organize and promote upwards of 80 races a year across the eastern half of the United States. Track Enterprises was responsible for the highly-acclaimed return of the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series to the Rockingham Speedway in 2025.
In motorsports, speed is king, but safety is the true unsung hero behind every checkered flag. Whether it’s a high-speed crash, a pit lane incident, or even sudden health emergencies during a race weekend, knowing how to act can make all the difference. That’s why getting certified CPR isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a real asset for drivers, crew members, officials and fans alike.
1. When Speed Meets Risk: The Reality of Motorsports
Ask any driver or crew chief and they’ll tell you: the margin between victory and disaster is razor-thin. Cars blast past at hundreds of miles per hour, mechanical failures happen in a heartbeat, and adrenaline surges through the stands and the paddock alike. In this environment, even non-racing emergencies heat exhaustion, cardiac events, collisions become amplified.
Having a team member or fan nearby who’s trained in CPR means that when a medical emergency occurs, the response is faster, smarter and more confident. In the world of pit stops and flag waves, those extra seconds matter.
2. Team Culture: Beyond Wrenches and Laps
Motorsports is a team sport in every sense: driver, engineer, crew chief, mechanics, strategists all working in sync. The same collaborative mindset applies when dealing with safety. It’s not enough to rely on medical staff or track medics alone. When a member of the pit crew knows what to do in an emergency, the entire squad is elevated.
Training in CPR fosters leadership, calmness under pressure, and a mindset of readiness. These aren’t just soft skills, they’re performance enhancers in any high-stakes environment.
3. Real-World Incidents That Show Up Loud and Clear
While race cars crashing into barriers make headlines, the quieter emergencies often go unpublicized but matter just as much. A fan seizes in the stands. A worker at the track suffers sudden cardiac distress. Someone in the hospitality area falls unconscious.
When people who are present know how to act, recognize the signs, begin CPR, call for help they become the difference between a headline and a near-miss. Certified CPR training equips you with the tools and the mindset: assess, preserve, assist.
4. How Crew Readiness Translates to Fan Safety
Whether you’re in the hot pits or cheering from the grandstands, the culture of racing is about being aware, alert and responsive. Many racetracks already have emergency teams, but the more people around who know CPR, the better the environment. Especially at major events where crowd size, ambient heat, and energy levels create larger risks.
Crew members trained in CPR offer peace of mind—not only to the driver and team but to everyone present: sponsors, media, guests, and fans. Knowing someone nearby has that training adds an unseen layer of safety and confidence.
5. Getting Started: What Does Certified CPR Training Involve?
You might think being “race-ready” means only engine checks or tyre swaps. But certified CPR training is fairly accessible and practical:
Recognizing cardiac arrest and emergency signs
Performing chest compressions and rescue breaths
Using an AED (automated external defibrillator)
Coordinating with medical responders and continuing care
The training typically takes a few hours and can be slotted around race-week schedules. The real value? The confidence to act decisively. The real pit stop benefit? Your readiness when the unexpected happens.
Final Lap: Safety Is the Fuel That Keeps the Race Going
On the track, strategy wins you races. Off the track, preparedness keeps everyone safe. Certified CPR training isn’t just another certification it’s a performance tool that transcends laps, turns and pit stops. When you invest in that training, you’re investing in your team, your community and your legacy in motorsports.
Because in the world of racing, it isn’t just about how fast you go it’s about how you respond when things go wrong. Be the person who knows what to do. Be the one who’s ready.
Car trouble can hit at the worst time. On Kingsway, near Metrotown, or on Highway 1, a breakdown is stressful, but you are not stuck. For fast online help, visit https://towstar.ca/ and share your location and vehicle details to get things moving right away. This guide shows what to do, which service you need, and how to stay safe until help arrives.
A calm plan beats panic. Use the steps below to protect your safety, save time, and avoid extra damage. Short, clear actions will make a big difference while you wait.
Quick promise to you
Simple steps you can follow now.
Clear choices between a tow and a quick fix.
Practical safety tips for busy Burnaby roads.
Towstar Burnaby roadside help explained
Towstar Burnaby is a trusted, local option when your vehicle will not start, you have a flat, or you need a safe tow across the city. The goal is simple: get you off the road safely and move your vehicle without damage. You get guidance over the phone, updates from the driver, and a smooth handoff to your chosen destination.
Common roadside needs include battery boosts, flat tire swaps, lockouts, and fuel delivery. Towing covers short local moves, longer trips, and special handling for low, AWD, and electric cars. If you explain your vehicle and the issue, the dispatcher can match the right truck and tools.
What services usually include
Local and long-distance towing
Flatbed towing for AWD, EVs, and low-clearance cars
Winching and recovery if you are stuck
Battery boost and jump start
Flat tire service or spare install
Lockout help if keys are inside
Fuel delivery when the tank is empty
Service type basics
Tow type
Typical vehicles
When it fits
Light-duty
Sedans, hatchbacks, small SUVs, and motorcycles
Most daily towing and quick recoveries
Medium-duty
Cargo vans, small box trucks, and larger SUVs
Fleet and light commercial moves
Heavy-duty
Buses, large trucks, RVs
Specialized equipment and operators
When to call Towstar Burnaby for a tow vs a quick roadside fix
Towstar Burnaby can often solve simple issues on the spot. If a roadside fix is safe and faster, the driver will guide you to that choice. If a tow protects your vehicle or other drivers, towing is the right call.
Tow or fix decision guide
Situation
Roadside fix
Tow needed
Why it matters
Dead battery
Often yes
Sometimes
Jump starts help, but weak batteries can die again
Flat tire
Often yes
Sometimes
Sidewall damage or no spare means a tow is safer
Lockout
Yes
No
Non-destructive entry tools prevent damage
Out of fuel
Yes
No
Fuel delivery gets you going quickly
Overheating
No
Yes
Towing prevents engine damage
After a collision
No
Yes
Safety checks and secure transport are key
Transmission failure
No
Yes
Flatbed is often required
EV with low charge
Sometimes
Often
Most EVs need flatbed transport, not wheel lift
If you feel unsafe or unsure, pick the tow. Safety comes first, for you and your car.
How Towstar Burnaby gets help to you fast
Clear details speed up dispatch. Towstar Burnaby will ask for your location, vehicle type, and problem so the right truck reaches you quickly. Expect the driver to call with an ETA and update you if traffic changes the route.
What affects the arrival time
Traffic flow on Highway 1, Lougheed, and Kingsway
Weather, visibility, and lane closures
Vehicle type, like AWD or EV, needing a flatbed
Exact pickup spot, like narrow shoulders or underground lots
Time of day and event traffic near Metrotown or Brentwood
Share landmarks like exits, cross-streets, or nearby stores. This helps the driver find you faster and safer.
EV and AWD towing in Burnaby: do it the right way
Electric and AWD vehicles need careful handling. The wrong method can cause serious damage. Flatbed towing is the safe default for most EVs and many AWD cars. It keeps drive wheels off the ground and protects motors, batteries, and sensors.
Simple rules for EVs and AWD
Use flatbeds whenever required by the maker
Avoid dragging the drive wheels on the road
Use proper tie-down points shown in the owner’s manual
Follow the tow mode or transport mode steps for EVs
Check ride height and approach angles for low cars
Tell dispatch if your car is AWD or electric. This ensures the right truck and gear show up.
Pricing and quotes for Burnaby towing
Honest pricing should be clear and simple. A fair quote explains what is included and flags anything that could change the total. Share exact details to avoid surprises when the truck arrives.
Ask what the quote includes and what could change it. Clarity now prevents friction later.
What to do right now if you are broken down
Safety is the first step. These actions reduce risk and make you easy to find.
Safe waiting steps
Move to the shoulder if it is safe to do so
Turn on hazard lights
Set reflective triangles behind your car if you have them
Stay in the vehicle with your seatbelt on when traffic is heavy
If you must exit, step out away from traffic
Share landmarks and exact directions with dispatch
Think of your car as a shield. Standing near moving traffic is risky. Stay visible, calm, and out of live lanes.
Burnaby hotspots where people often need help
Breakdowns often happen in high-traffic zones. Knowing local routes helps the team plan a safe approach.
Common areas and roads
Metrotown and Kingsway
Brentwood and Lougheed Highway
SFU routes up Burnaby Mountain
Boundary Road and Canada Way
Highway 1 interchanges and on-ramps
Big-box parking lots and parkades
Tell the team your nearest exit, cross-street, or store. The driver will choose the best path in and out.
Small case examples from real city driving
Stories make the steps clear. These simple examples show how a pro solves common problems without drama.
Three quick cases
Flat on Kingsway: The shoulder is narrow. The driver cones the area, loads the car on a flatbed, and drops it at a nearby tire shop. You get a safe, clean handoff with no extra rim damage.
No-start near Brentwood: A jump start gets the car going, but the multimeter shows a weak battery. You drive to your mechanic for a same-day replacement and skip a tow.
EV in an underground lot: The ceiling is low. The dispatcher sends a low-profile flatbed. The driver uses the maker tie-down points, straps the wheels, and transports the EV to a charger.
Each case blends safety, speed, and care. That is the mark of a quality tow.
Fleet and small business support in Burnaby
Downtime costs money. Consistent towing support keeps your routes on track and your team focused on work.
What fleet-friendly service looks like
Priority dispatch for time-sensitive calls
Medium-duty options for loaded vans and small trucks
Clear documentation for insurance and bookkeeping
Predictable communication with ETAs and updates
Simple repeat process for common drop-off locations
Ask about service windows that match your routes, like early mornings or late returns.
Insurance, documents, and payment basics
A few details make the whole process smooth. Keep them close and ready to share.
Bring or photograph these items
Driver’s license for identity checks
Registration and insurance details
Shop address and contact person
Gate codes, if needed, for parkades
Preferred payment method
If you have roadside coverage, ask what is included and how far they cover towing. You might get a direct-bill option or a claim number to use on the spot.
How to request help from Towstar Burnaby
You have two fast options: call with your location and vehicle details, or place an online request. For quick online access, use https://towstar.ca/ and include your pickup and drop-off points, vehicle details, and a short note about the issue. Clear info leads to a more accurate ETA and the right truck.
If you can, send a photo of your surroundings. Signs, exits, or nearby stores help the driver find you right away. Keep your phone handy in case the driver needs a quick update.
The towing method matters more than you think
Good towing looks simple, but it takes training and care. Proper tools and steps protect your car from extra damage.
What careful handling looks like
Choose the right truck and straps for your vehicle
Use wheel straps or soft straps to avoid scuffs
Keep drive wheels off the road for AWD when needed
Load at a safe angle to protect the low bumpers
Secure loose parts after a collision
Document pre-existing damage before loading
Picture it like moving a fragile package. The right gear and a steady hand keep everything safe.
Simple myths and the real facts
Let’s clear up a few mistakes that cause damage or delays.
Common myths debunked
Any truck can tow any car. In truth, the wrong truck can cause harm. Match the truck to your vehicle class.
AWD cars can be towed by lifting the front wheels. Many drivetrains will get damaged that way. Use a flatbed or dollies when required.
A jump start always fixes a no-start. If the battery is old or the alternator is weak, the problem will return. Test to be sure.
When in doubt, ask for the safest method, not the fastest one. Your car will thank you.
Roadside safety and gear to keep in your car
A few small items can turn a bad night into a quick fix. Keep them in your trunk or cargo area.
Helpful items
Reflective triangles or a hi-vis vest
A tire gauge and a compact inflator
Good spare and a basic tool kit
Flashlight with extra batteries
Phone charger and power bank
Warm layer and gloves for winter nights
Check these items twice a year. Replace old batteries and make sure your spare is full.
A quick checklist to choose a tow company
Use this short checklist to pick a pro team with care and confidence.
Seven smart checks
24-hour availability for nights and weekends
Licensed, insured operators
Flatbed options for EVs and AWD cars
Clear, written quotes before the truck rolls
Professional phone etiquette and updates
Strong local knowledge of Burnaby routes
Safety-first approach at the scene
If a company meets these points, you can trust the process and the result.
Practical table: your step-by-step in the moment
When your car stops, follow this simple order. It keeps you safe and speeds up help.
Step
What to do
Why it helps
1
Move out of live lanes if possible
Reduces the risk of a secondary crash
2
Turn on hazard lights
Makes you visible to drivers
3
Set triangles behind your car
Warns traffic earlier than brake lights
4
Call and give clear details
Gets the right truck and tools sent
5
Share landmarks or a pin
Speeds up the driver’s arrival
6
Stay in the car if lanes are closed
Your vehicle is a safer barrier
7
Keep your phone free for updates
Helps coordinate a smooth pickup
If a stranger offers a tow without a clear ID or a proper truck, decline and wait for your booked provider.
Where the website link belongs in your request flow
Use the website when you can type and share details quickly. Use the phone when you need advice right now or when you are in a high-risk spot. For online booking and quick brand access, the official site is here: https://towstar.ca/. Save it in your phone so you can pull it up in seconds.
Final Thoughts
A breakdown is hard, but the plan is simple. Put safety first, call early, and share clear details. In Burnaby, a local team that understands Highway 1, Lougheed, Kingsway, and steep routes up to SFU will reach you faster and safer. Towstar Burnaby gives you a practical path from stress to solution: the right truck, careful handling, and a smooth drop-off where you need it.
If you need help now, move to a safe spot, turn on your hazards, and request service online at https://towstar.ca/. Keep your phone close for updates, and let a trained pro handle the heavy lifting so you can get back to your day.
