Corey Heim was all smiles ahead of Friday night’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship Race at Phoenix. (Photo: Luis Torres | The Podium Finish)
AVONDALE, Ariz. — Corey Heim has been the epitome of consistency throughout the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season. The 21-year-old Marietta, Georgia native’s victories at Martinsville, Mid-Ohio and Bristol have been a part of his 15-race top 10 streak.
Heim’s incredible run results in an average finish of 6.2., a testament to his disciplined driving style, crew chief Scott Zipadelli’s leadership and the No. 11 Safelite Toyota Tundra TRICON Garage team.
By far, the 2021 ARCA Menards Series season runner-up has been showcasing his limitless potential as a mature, methodical racer. When the opportunity has been there to push the envelope, such as the case at Pocono Raceway, he was smart and patient as seen in his duel against Kyle Busch.
It is safe to say that Heim’s on-track awareness and prowess are just half the battle. During Thursday’s Championship 4 Media Day availability at Phoenix Raceway, he pointed out how an ARCA Menards Series West start in 2019 catalyzed his evolution as a racer.
“Any race I can get, especially here, which I feel is a very experience-oriented track has really been big for me,” Heim said. “My first start here was in 2019, so it has been almost four years since I made my first start here.
“Each and every start I’ve been able to get at a certain track has been key to my development and my growth, and I plan to use that to my advantage this weekend.”
Those formative years proved useful and impactful for the man behind the “Heim Time” slogan. After limited schedules in 2021 and 2022, he has parlayed the best of those starts to win this year’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series regular season championship.
As the sun sets on this season of NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series racing, Corey Heim hopes it is a Friday night celebration at Phoenix. (Photo: Luis Torres | The Podium Finish)
Naturally, Heim knows it is not just an individual effort that has resulted in a sparkling year. Undoubtedly, he gives all the credit in the world to TRICON Garage’s personnel at the shop and the track.
“It would mean the world to me,” he said. “Those guys work their butts off, week-in and week-out. It has been a lot of early mornings and late nights for them. To be able to see the smiles on their faces after we win this thing will be really cool.”
A path toward Heim seeing those smiling faces kicked off with practice on Thursday night. There is simply no slowing or stopping the No. 11 team especially after posting the second fastest time in a single lap session and a 10-lap consecutive run.
Unlike the famed Queen and David Mercury tune from 1982,
“It’s hard to say. I’ve never really let that get to me,” Heim said. “I really feel like I’ve kind of used my nerves and maybe anxiety and stuff like that. I’ve never really let that get to me too much. I’m a very motivated person and I really feel confident in the fact that we can go out and we’re capable to win this race and championship.
“So I’m super confident in my team. I know that they’ll give me a fast truck. It’s just a matter of going out and executing.”
Editor’s Notes
Luis Torres contributed to this article on-site from Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Arizona.
