AVONDALE, Ariz.: Corey Heim was determined not to go down without a fight.
The TRICON Garage driver was the pre-race favorite to win Friday night’s NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Championship Race and the 2024 series championship at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway, but a late race penalty and the balance of his No. 11 Safelite Toyota Tundra Pro in the closing laps of the race hindered his opportunity.
There’s no question that Ty Majeski had a superb truck on Friday night, but Heim showcased his muscle throughout the night, leading twice for 16 laps, but Heim was sent to the back of the field following a restart violation on Lap 107 when he changed lanes before crossing the start-finish line.
Luckily for Heim, he was able to serve his penalty under the yellow flag instead of serving it under green flag conditions, saving the opportunity of losing a lap and keeping his Championship 4 hopes alive.
Restarting just outside the top-20, Heim, a six-time winner in the Truck Series this season was able to methodically move forward and hustle through the field.
Inside the final 30 laps of the race, Heim was able to maneuver back inside the top-five, but as the race stretched into the green flag run, Heim battled a tight-handling truck which prevented him from chasing down Majeski for eventually the win and the series championship.
Heim finished second, less than three seconds ahead of Championship 4 rival Christian Eckes and will be credited with a runner-up finish in the Truck Series championship standings.
While disappointed in defeat, Heim was grateful for a stellar season with his Mooresville, N.C.-based team.
“Really disappointed to come up short like that,” said Heim after the race. “It’s hard to even be upset. I did almost everything right except for that restart violation, but we were able to get our track position back pretty quick and make the most of it.”
Despite not having the truck he needed to take the championship; Heim was proud of having a clean race this year compared to last year and for setting records this season.
“I just had nothing for the 98 all day,” reflected Heim. “He was so fast. You know, I’m just proud of myself for not driving through the fastest truck like I drove through last year by Hocevar, and we’re going to go with our heads up high and a six-win season, career highs for myself, my team, organization, everybody. Just one spot short of the championship.”
With the penalty was handed to Heim with less than 45 laps to go in the race, the Marietta, Ga. native believed his climb through the back of the field would be more challenging
“I would be lying to you if I didn’t say I thought it would be a lot harder than it was. I was just able to choose the right lanes and get good runs on restarts and kind of get my way through there, quicker than I thought I was going to,” explained Heim.
Championship 4 rivals Eckes and Grant Enfinger pitted for tires under the final caution of the night and while some thought that it would possibly give them an advantage to overtake Heim and perhaps even Majeski, the advantage faded late in the race.
However, by the time that Heim was able to get back to second, his momentum stalled and it was lights out on an opportunity at a championship.
“I don’t know. I just got right back behind the 98 (Ty Majeski) and didn’t have anything for him,” reflected Heim.
TRICON announced earlier this week that Heim will return to the organization and lead the team which is expected to continue to field five full-time trucks next season.
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