Corey Heim has said on multiple occasions that he needs to take advantage of all the opportunities he has while driving for Kyle Busch Motorsports.
As the yellow flag flew with two laps to go in the Toyota 200 at World Wide Technology Raceway, Christian Eckes had the race in hand, but a green-white-checkered restart is not something any driver truly wants to see. However, this was another one of those opportunities that presented itself to Heim and he took full advantage of it, driving to his second win of the season.
“There is no better way to take advantage of these chances I have than to win,” Heim said after the race. He continued by noting that the track was really “one dimensional” and he saw “a lot of strategy throughout the race that didn’t work out, so the clean air was huge for us.”
The big bonus for Heim was the fact Eckes took the outside line on the restart. This allowed Heim to take the bottom, where he said his truck was working the best. “It was a real shock when he (Eckes) took the top, and as soon as he did, I had no trouble taking the bottom.”
That move would be what Heim really needed as it allowed for his teammate to line up right behind him.
“It was really big to have Chandler (Smith) line up right behind me. He’s been a heck of a pusher all season long. He did the same thing that helped me win Atlanta.”
Smith would be forced into a battle with Eckes for second place after Heim broke free of his teammate exiting turn 2. Heim reflected on the moment, stating, “Once I got out in front, I knew I had it from there.”
Photo: Stephen Conley | The Podium Finish
Fortunately for Heim, he didn’t have to worry about the white flag lap. As he exited turn two, a massive wreck occurred behind him involving Carson Hocevar, Austin Wayne Self and Tyler Hill, bringing out the caution. Self and Hill were checked and released from the infield care center, however, Hocevar was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation after being t-boned by Hill in turn one.
Toyota would finish the day by sweeping the top five. This would mark the sixth time the manufacturer has accomplished that feat, more notably, the second time at World Wide Technology Raceway. The last time Toyota swept the top five was last fall at Bristol.
Rounding out the top five behind Heim and Eckes were C. Smith, Stewart Friesen and Johnny Sauter.
