TRICON Garage Overview
TRICON Garage (stylized as TRICON Garage) is an American professional stock car racing team headquartered in Mooresville, North Carolina. The organization competes in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and entered the NASCAR Cup Series starting in 2025. Owned by former NASCAR driver David Gilliland and businessman Johnny Gray, the team fields Toyota vehicles and maintains technical partnerships with Toyota Racing Development. TRICON Garage has established itself as a prominent force in developing young racing talent while maintaining competitive results across multiple racing series. The organization has accumulated two drivers’ championships and 49 race victories across its various racing programs since its founding.
Founding and Organizational Origins
The team traces its roots to early 2017 when racing team owners David Gilliland and Bo LeMastus combined their respective operations, David Gilliland Racing and Crosley Sports Group, to form a collaborative effort known as DGR-Crosley. This merger brought together resources and expertise from both organizations, creating a stronger competitive presence in American stock car racing. The new entity began competing under the Team DGR banner while establishing its operational infrastructure in North Carolina.
During the 2018 and 2019 seasons, DGR-Crosley fielded Toyota vehicles in competition before announcing a switch to Ford beginning in 2020. The partnership with Crosley Sports Group provided additional sponsorship opportunities and operational support during the formative years. Racing team owner Bo LeMastus remained with the organization following his departure as a co-owner, contributing in marketing and sponsorship capacities.
Growth Into NASCAR Competition
In 2018, the organization made its entry into the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series by purchasing Red Horse Racing’s assets and competing part-time with multiple drivers. The team gradually expanded its competitive presence, running multiple entries across Truck Series events while developing driver talent. This expansion marked a significant step in the organization’s evolution from regional racing to national-level competition.
The organization also established programs in the ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East, and ARCA Menards Series West during this period. These developmental racing series provided opportunities for young drivers to gain experience in stock car competition while representing the organization. The multi-series approach allowed TRICON Garage to identify and develop promising talent across different racing disciplines.
TRICON Garage Competitive Journey
TRICON Garage has progressively built its competitive portfolio across NASCAR’s developmental series before making the leap to the top-level Cup Series. The organization’s focus on driver development, technical partnerships with manufacturers, and strategic expansion has resulted in sustained growth and competitive success at multiple levels of stock car racing.
Early Seasons and Development (2018–2021)
The team’s first full seasons in the Truck Series saw gradual improvement as drivers gained experience and the organization built its technical capabilities. In 2019, Tyler Ankrum scored DGR-Crosley’s first Truck Series victory at Kentucky Speedway after Brett Moffitt ran out of fuel during the final laps. This milestone victory demonstrated the team’s potential and provided momentum for future growth.
During this developmental period, the organization ran multiple car numbers including the Nos. 1, 5, 7, 11, 15, 17, 54, and 54 trucks, providing seat time for various drivers. The ARCA programs also produced notable results, with drivers like Tyler Ankrum winning the ARCA Menards Series East championship in 2018. The combination of Truck Series and ARCA competition created a comprehensive development pathway for aspiring racers.
Breakthrough in NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (2022–Present)
On October 27, 2022, the organization announced its return to Toyota Racing Development and rebranded as TRICON Garage. The name combines the prefix “tri-” with the word “icon,” reflecting the organization’s ambition to establish itself as a premier racing entity. This partnership with Toyota provided enhanced technical support and access to expanded resources for the team’s racing programs.
The 2023 season marked a significant turning point as Corey Heim became the full-time driver of the No. 11 entry with sponsorship from Safelite, JBL, and SiriusXM. Heim won at Martinsville Speedway and Mid-Ohio during the regular season, claiming the regular season championship. During the playoffs, he added a victory at Bristol and finished third in the championship standings at Homestead-Miami Speedway, earning a spot in the Championship 4.
Heim continued his dominance in 2024, scoring victories at Circuit of the Americas, Kansas, North Wilkesboro, Gateway, and Pocono during the regular season, followed by a playoff win at Kansas. He finished second in the championship race at Phoenix, demonstrating consistent competitiveness throughout the campaign.
Modern Program and Current Direction (2023–Present)
The 2025 season proved to be historic for TRICON Garage as Corey Heim captured the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship. Heim won at Darlington, New Hampshire, and the Charlotte Roval during the playoffs, the latter giving him a record 10 wins in a single Truck Series season, surpassing Greg Biffle’s previous record of nine wins set in 1999. He scored his 11th victory of the season at Martinsville to secure a place in the Championship 4, then won at Phoenix to claim the title. This championship marked the team’s first Truck Series drivers’ championship and solidified TRICON Garage’s position among the elite organizations in the series.
For the 2025 season, TRICON Garage expanded into the NASCAR Cup Series by attempting to qualify for the Daytona 500. The team fielded the No. 56 Toyota Camry driven by Martin Truex Jr. with Bass Pro Shops as the primary sponsor and Cole Pearn serving as crew chief. Joe Gibbs Racing served as technical partners for this Cup Series entry. Truex qualified for the race but was involved in an incident on lap 71 that ended his day in 38th place.
The driver lineup for the Truck Series in 2025 included multiple talents across various entries. Taylor Gray, Corey Heim, Dario Franchitti, William Sawalich, Brandon Jones, Brent Crews, and Jimmie Johnson shared driving duties in the No. 1 truck. The No. 5 entry featured drivers including Nick Leitz, Adam Andretti, Corey Heim, Chase Briscoe, William Sawalich, and Spencer Davis. Kaden Honeycutt drove the No. 11 truck, Tanner Gray piloted the No. 15 entry, and Gio Ruggiero drove the No. 17 truck full-time.
Philosophy and Competitive Strengths
TRICON Garage has established a clear identity centered on developing young racing talent while maintaining championship-level competitiveness. The organization’s partnership with Toyota Racing Development provides technical expertise and resources that support both driver development and on-track performance. The team has demonstrated strength in identifying promising drivers and providing them with competitive equipment to showcase their abilities.
Key Milestones and Major Moments
Several defining moments have shaped TRICON Garage’s history. The 2019 Kentucky victory provided the team’s first Truck Series win. The 2022 rebranding to TRICON Garage and return to Toyota partnership marked a new chapter in the organization’s evolution. Corey Heim’s record-setting 2025 season with 11 wins and the Truck Series championship represents the pinnacle of the team’s competitive achievements to date. The 2025 Daytona 500 entry into the Cup Series marked the organization’s expansion to NASCAR’s top-level competition.
TRICON Garage Achievements and Results
TRICON Garage has accumulated significant accomplishments across multiple racing series since its founding. The organization has earned two drivers’ championships and 49 total race victories across all series, establishing a record of sustained competitive success alongside its driver development mission.
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Achievements
In the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, TRICON Garage has claimed 30 race victories and one drivers’ championship. The team’s trucks have also earned 23 pole positions, demonstrating qualifying speed and competitive performance. Corey Heim’s 2025 championship season included wins at major tracks and a record-setting performance that placed him among the all-time great Truck Series seasons.
ARCA Menards Series Achievements
In ARCA Menards Series competition, TRICON Garage has achieved notable success across multiple regional championships. The organization captured the ARCA Menards Series East championship, accumulating 10 race victories in that series along with 9 pole positions. The team has also earned 3 wins and 2 poles in the national ARCA Menards Series, developing drivers who have progressed to NASCAR’s national series.
ARCA Menards Series West Achievements
TRICON Garage has competed in the ARCA Menards Series West, earning 6 race victories and 4 pole positions in that regional series. These results have contributed to the organization’s comprehensive approach to driver development across multiple racing disciplines and geographic regions.
