NASCAR
Ty Majeski Crowned Craftsman Truck Series 2024 Champion in Phoenix
AVONDALE, Ariz. – Wisconsin native and super late model ace Ty Majeski put on an old fashioned short track beatdown Friday night at Phoenix Raceway. The ThorSport Racing No. 98 Ford F-150 paced the Truck Series field for 132 of 150 laps. Pulling away to a four-second lead in the closing laps, the Phoenix king of the hill was crowned 2024 champion.
Both Stages were split between Championship 4 contenders Corey Heim and Ty Majeski. Heim’s ultimate undoing came on the Stage 3 restart, however. The TRICON Garage driver was nabbed with a restart violation for pulling out of lane before the start/finish line. The No. 11 would make up all the lost ground in a short matter of time with a few lucky cautions though.
As laps wound down however, the No. 98 only grew smaller and smaller in everyone’s windshield. Majeski ended up cruising to a sixth career victory and first NASCAR championship.
“I can’t believe it,” Majeski said on the championship stage. “A huge thank you to Duke and Rhonda Thorson, Joe Shear, Jr. He’s one bad dude. This is so much fun racing with this group.”
“So proud to have the opportunity to drive these great race trucks. Man, you know, there’s a lot of times in my career where this looks like a far dream, and Duke and Rhonda really gave me my third opportunity after I had two opportunities I failed.”
“Man, I can’t thank them enough. My wife, Ali, been there every step of the way. Man, we have had a lot of ups and downs, and just so proud of these guys.”
“You need to find a way to set yourself apart from everybody else. I did that by working in the shop. Started as an engineer at ThorSport in 2021 with three or four races. Didn’t know what it was going to turn into, and damn it, now we’re champions.”
“Huge thank you to Road Ranger, Curb Records, Soda Sense. We have so many partners that go into this. Again, Duke, Rhonda Thorson, Ali. Man, this is special. We’re going to celebrate this one.”
After the checkered flag waved, Majeski paid homage to his racing idol, late champion Alan Kulwicki. The 98 performed a Polish Victory Lap at the track where the Hall of Famer debuted this unique winning celebration. Majeski is a past graduate of the Kulwicki Driver Development Program, and keeps Wisconsin racing alive on a national stage.
All four championship contenders did leave Phoenix with top-five results. Majeski was trailed by Corey Heim, Christian Eckes, and Grant Enfinger in fifth. The only non-Playoff driver among the leaders was Nick Sanchez in fourth.
ThorSport Racing now has six Truck Series championships, the most of all teams ever. Majeski joins multi-time champion teammates Matt Crafton (2013, 2014, 2019) and Ben Rhodes (2021, 2023). The Ohio-based team now lays claim to back-to-back titles and three over the last four years.
NASCAR Championship Weekend continues from Phoenix Raceway with the Xfinity Series finale. Saturday’s green flag flies at 5:30 p.m. ET on The CW, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Written by Peter Stratta
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Photo Credit to Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
