There’s something special brewing in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series garage, and it’s painted Toyota red. TRICON Garage, the powerhouse outfit that’s been absolutely dominating the series, just locked down a multi-year extension with Toyota. This move will keep them together through 2026 and beyond.

This isn’t just some routine contract renewal. This is Toyota putting their money where their mouth is, betting big on a team that’s delivered 21 wins since they joined forces back in 2023. Twenty-one victories in three seasons. Let that sink in for a minute.

Why TRICON Garage Matters to Toyota’s Racing Program

You don’t get to be Toyota’s flagship Truck Series team by accident. TRICON Garage has earned that distinction the hard way through consistent performance, smart decision-making, and an unwavering commitment to winning races.

They’ve built something special under the leadership of David Gilliland, Johnny Gray, and Kevin Ray, transforming what was already a solid operation into an absolute juggernaut.”Everyone at Toyota Motor North America and TRD is pleased to extend our official agreement with TRICON Garage,” said Tyler Gibbs, president of TRD U.S.A.

“David Gilliland, Johnny Gray, and Kevin Ray are valued members of our Toyota family. They’ve worked tirelessly to build TRICON into a powerhouse Truck Series team, one marked by consistent on-track success. We look forward to continuing to achieve at a high level together in the years to come.”

That’s not just corporate speak. That’s genuine respect for what this team has accomplished. When Toyota looks at TRICON Garage, they see more than just race wins—they see a reflection of their own commitment to excellence.

The Perfect Time for This Announcement

The timing of this extension couldn’t be better. With Corey Heim sitting on the verge of delivering TRICON’s first-ever Craftsman Truck Series championship this Friday night at Phoenix Raceway, the organization is riding a wave of momentum that few teams ever experience. Heim has been absolutely unstoppable this season, racking up a series record 11 wins while piloting the No. 11 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro.

Think about that for a second. Eleven wins in a single season. That’s not just dominance. That’s historic. The other three Championship 4 drivers combined have one victory between them. One. Heim’s been in a different stratosphere all year long, and TRICON Garage has given him every tool he needs to succeed.

“It has been a pleasure to work alongside Toyota for the last three seasons,” said Kevin Ray, partner and general manager at TRICON Garage. “We are beyond excited to extend our partnership for multiple years and appreciate the support and trust Toyota has in TRICON to represent their program at the highest level on and off the track.”

What Makes TRICON Garage Special

Success in NASCAR doesn’t happen overnight. It takes years of grinding, learning from mistakes, making smart personnel decisions, and building a culture where excellence is the standard, not the exception. TRICON Garage has done all of that and more since its 2023 rebrand.

The chemistry between the organization and Toyota has been seamless from day one. Both share the same values: hard work, attention to detail, and an unrelenting desire to win. When you’ve got that kind of alignment between a team and its manufacturer, extraordinary things happen. The trophy case fills up. Championships become realistic goals instead of distant dreams.

This extension ensures the partnership will continue to grow stronger. For young drivers looking to make their mark in NASCAR, TRICON Garage represents one of the premier destinations in the Truck Series. They’ve proven they can develop talent, field competitive trucks week in and week out, and compete for championships.

Eyes on Phoenix

All the contract talk and future planning take a back seat this week to the task at hand: winning a championship. Heim enters Friday night’s race at Phoenix Raceway as the overwhelming favorite, but nothing’s guaranteed in playoff racing. He’ll face off against defending champion Ty Majeski, Tyler Ankrum, and Kaden Honeycutt for the title.

The Championship 4 format is the great equalizer. It doesn’t matter that Heim has dominated all season long. It doesn’t matter that he’s won 11 races while his competitors have combined for just one. What matters is who crosses the finish line first on Friday night at the one-mile oval in Avondale, Arizona.

The Brutality of the Championship 4 Format

That’s the beauty and the brutality of this format. One race. Winner takes all. Everything you’ve accomplished during the season comes down to 150 laps under the desert sky. It’s pressure unlike anything else in motorsports, and it separates the good from the great.

TRICON Garage has put Heim in the best possible position to succeed. They’ve given him fast trucks all year. They’ve made the right calls on pit road. They’ve shown up prepared every single weekend. Now it’s time to finish the job and bring home that championship trophy.

Building for Tomorrow While Competing Today

This Toyota extension represents more than just financial security for TRICON Garage. It’s validation that they’re doing things the right way. It’s proof that their approach works. And most importantly, it gives them the stability and resources to continue building on what they’ve already accomplished.

In a sport where partnerships can dissolve overnight and teams can go from competitive to also-ran in the blink of an eye, having that kind of long-term commitment from a manufacturer like Toyota is invaluable. It allows TRICON to plan for the future, make strategic investments, and focus on what they do best: winning races.

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