On Saturday night, Corey Heim powers to an impressive NASCAR Truck Series victory at Kansas Speedway in the Heart of America 200.
iKANSAS CITY, Kan. — Corey Heim took control of Saturday night’s Heart of America 200 in the final stage by charging to his second NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series victory of the season, despite fighting a loose handling condition in the closing stages.
Corey Heim Powers to an Impressive NASCAR Truck Series Victory at Kansas
Heim took the lead from Nick Sanchez on lap 70 of 134 at Kansas Speedway and stayed out front the rest of the way, gaining time through a cycle of green-flag pit stops in the middle of the final stage.
Running a part-time Truck Series schedule this season, the 2022 series champion and runner-up Zane Smith, closed on Heim over the final ten laps. He was still 1.088 seconds in arrears when Heim crossed the finish line.
The victory was Heim’s first at Kansas and the seventh of his career. The driver of the No. 11 TRICON Garage Toyota claimed his first season victory on March 23 at the Circuit of the Americas road course in Austin, Texas.
“I can’t say enough about these guys at TRICON Garage, man,” said Heim, who has finished in the top ten in all eight Truck Series races this season. “Top to bottom, we executed so well today with the pit crew, everyone back at the shop…
“What a truck! It was free for most of the race, so I can’t say it was easy. Even with the balance I had, the truck had so much potential to get better. I’m kind of out of breath now—it was a handful those last 30 laps.”
Zane Smith Settles for Second
Despite his second-place finish, Smith was disappointed. After winning the second stage, Smith lost seven spots thanks to a slow pit stop under caution. He couldn’t catch Heim to challenge for the win.
After a cycle of green-flag pit stops, on lap 104, Smith trailed Heim by 3.743 seconds and cut all but roughly one second off that margin before the finish.
“You can’t lose (seven) spots on pit road,” said Smith, who was making his fourth start of the season in the No. 91 McAnally-Hilgemann Chevrolet. “That one got away there.”
The Heart of America 200 Results
Christian Eckes finished third, followed by Kaden Honeycutt, whose fourth-place run was a career-best.
Brett Moffitt, the 2018 series champion, came home fifth in his first start of the season. Sanchez was sixth after starting from the rear of the field after his No. 2 Chevrolet failed pre-race inspection three times.
Tanner Gray, Dean Thompson, Daniel Dye, and Matt Crafton completed the top ten.
The NASCAR Truck Series Point Standings
Heim holds the series lead by seven points over Eckes. Nick Sanchez, Ty Majeski, and Tyler Ankrum round out the top five finishers. Rajah Caruth, Taylor Gray, Matt Crafton, Tanner Gray, and Grant Enfinger round out the top ten in the point standings.
Both Heim and Smith are racing in Sunday’s AdventHealth 400 NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas. Heim is racing as a substitute for injured Legacy Motor Club driver Erik Jones. Smith is in his full-time ride with Spire Motorsports.
Next Up
The NASCAR Truck Series will race next weekend on Friday, May 10th at 7:30 pm ET at Darlington Raceway. The Buckle Up South Carolina 200 coverage is on FS1, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.