Corey Heim Dominates Craftsman Truck Series, NASCAR Legend Calls for Immediate Cup Series Promotion
Corey Heim secured his 10th win of the 2024 Craftsman Truck Series season yesterday, surpassing Greg Biffle’s 1999 record of nine Truck Series victories in a single season and prompting calls from NASCAR veteran Kevin Harvick for his swift advancement to the Cup Series.
Driving the No. 11 Tricon Garage truck, Heim clinched the overtime victory over Brent Crews by 1.338 seconds despite significant damage sustained during the race. Harvick, a 2014 Cup Series champion who began his NASCAR career in the Truck Series, believes Heim is being held back. “There’s guys like Corey Heim that are special,” Harvick said in a recent interview. “I feel like he’s pigeon-holed into the Truck Series right now. He’s just out there destroying them because he’s so much better than them. If you put him in Daytona next year in the Cup car, he’s gonna be competitive and he’s gonna figure it out.”
Billy Venturini, of the now-closed Venturine Motorsports – a team known for developing talent like Joey Logano and Christopher Bell – echoed Harvick’s sentiment, stating, “He is super special…I believe he’d win a Cup race as a rookie. That’s how strong I think he is.” Venturini also highlighted Heim’s dedication to preparation, noting his exceptional skill in racing simulation, a skill that translates directly to on-track performance. This level of preparation is becoming increasingly crucial in modern NASCAR, as detailed by resources like NASCAR’s official website.
Heim has already made four starts in the Cup Series this year with 23XI Racing, achieving a top-ten finish at Bristol. His long-term plans remain uncertain, with speculation ranging from a partial schedule across all three national series in 2025 to a full-time Cup Series move in 2026, as reported by industry analysts. A quick transition to the Cup Series could shake up the competitive landscape, potentially adding another dominant force to the field.
Officials have not yet commented on Heim’s potential future plans, but continue to monitor his performance closely as he pursues further success in the Craftsman Truck Series.
