Emotional Highs and Lows in NASCAR Truck Championship
Ray Heim was overwhelmed with emotions while watching the NASCAR Truck Series Championship Race from the infield, but his son, Corey, maintained his focus throughout the event.
The Tricon Garage No. 11 team was determined not to lose the race or the championship due to a caution with just five laps remaining, especially after Connor Mosack chose not to pit for a tire issue. They also knew they could not lose to competitors who opted for two tires while Scott Zipadelli called for four, resulting in a drop of nine positions.
Corey Heim, as he has consistently shown all season, took decisive action and quickly moved from ninth to second in a single corner, completing his move on the subsequent restart after a caution period that almost secured a repeat title for Ty Majeski.
Heim’s determination was evident: “I had a lot of thoughts about how the race could have gone wrong, starting from 10th with 10 laps to go,” he admitted. He took bold risks, driving hard into the inside wall, which thankfully paid off as it allowed him to gain multiple positions and ultimately secure his win.
Ray Heim experienced a rollercoaster of emotions during the race. “I genuinely thought we had lost it,” he reflected, but once Corey picked the bottom line, he sensed what was about to happen. “I remembered he made the same move last year, and even though I wasn’t sure it would succeed, seeing him emerge in second gave me hope.”
If it weren’t for the caution, Corey likely would have beaten Majeski fair and square. Instead, the yellow flag enabled him to capitalize on his fresh tires, leading to his record-extending 12th win and the accolades that come with a championship.
The path forward for Corey Heim remains uncertain, as he is a contracted development driver with 23XI but not part of the Joe Gibbs Racing team. Tyler Gibbs, president of Toyota Racing, believes he is ready for a Cup opportunity, emphasizing that any investments will ultimately focus on Sunday races. “We see his maturity and readiness for Cup racing,” Gibbs said, while also acknowledging that if a full-time Xfinity position arises, it wouldn’t be disregarded.
