Corey Heim Starts First, Finishes First At Mid-Ohio

Corey Heim survived the rain and drove to a dominant Mid-Ohio Truck race win. (Photo: Wayne Riegle | The Podium Finish)

LEXINGTON, Ohio – After an hour long delay that saw multiple lightning strikes around the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course with heavy ran that soaked the track, the field finally took to green flag racing under light rain conditions.

Corey Heim led the field in his No. 11 Safelite Tricon Toyota Tundra alongside Ty Majeski. However, the ThorSport racing Fords would take over the top spots with good handling trucks that led most of Stage 1.

Four cautions slowed the 20-lap stage due to trucks getting a bit aggressive in the wet, finding themselves in the treacherous gravel traps situated in the outside of Turn 1, the top of the Keyhole and down in Turn 9.

In Heim’s case, he knew he just had to make it to the dry conditions.

“I feel like if I stayed clean and didn’t get in to any problems and stay in the top five while it was wet, I had a good chance,” Heim said.

Heim did exactly that as the field hit pit road for the three minute pit stop to switch from wets to slick tires. At the same time, Heim would show his strength.

“I knew I had the best truck, but there were moments when someone would drive a little to far in to the corner and wash out,” he said. “Luckily, I wasn’t the recipient of any of that.”

Heim would fall back as far as fourth under the dry conditions. However, five yellow flags during the final 27 laps allowed Heim to fight his way to the lead, never looking back.

“I knew I had the best truck,” he said. “Zane and Christian are two good buddies of mine, and I knew we would race each other clean.”

Additionally, Heim talked about the aggressive nature prevalent in the Truck Series.

“I didn’t have to worry about either of them driving through me or running me off the race track like some of the other drivers in this field,” he said. “Once I was clear, I knew I’d be able to drive away.

For the driver of the No. 11 Tricon Toyota Tundra, Mid-Ohio has slowly become a favorite track after winning now in back to back seasons. Likewise, he is happy to keep the track dry and running the rain line.

Heim picked the right time to excel during a soggy start to Saturday’s O’Reilly Auto Parts 150 at Mid-Ohio. (Photo: Jeremy Bryner | The Podium Finish)

“It’s tricky here because so many of the corners are off camber, and that’s where the track falls away on the outside line,” Heim said. “When it’s wet, that’s the racing line because the main line is rubbered in, and when it gets wet, it’s even slicker than normal. Many of the drivers found that out early here.”

Ultimately, Heim led twice for 30 laps which included the final 12 circuits around Mid-Ohio with the final five running under green flag conditions.

Given the no holds barred racing seen in the Truck Series, it was a pleasant surprise for the talented Toyota racer.

“I fully expected to have an overtime,” Heim said with a laugh.

Stage 1 Top 10 Results

1. Ben Rhodes
2. Ty Majeski
3. Nick Sanchez
4. Corey Heim
5. Christian Eckes
6. Will Rodgers
7. Zane Smith
8. Austin Wayne Self
9. Stewart Friesen
10. Lawless Alan

Stage 2 Top 10 Results

1. Ty Majeski
2. Corey Heim
3. Ben Rhodes
4. Zane Smith
5. Christian Eckes
6. Stewart Friesen
7. Tyler Ankrum
8. Rajah Caruth
9. Matt DiBenedetto
10. Chase Purdy

O’Reilly Auto Parts 150 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Race Results