Corey Heim
Corey Heim (born July 5, 2002) is an American professional stock car racing driver who competes full-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 11 Toyota Tundra for Tricon Garage.[1] Hailing from Marietta, Georgia, Heim began his racing career at age five in quarter midgets and quickly progressed through the ranks, achieving his first super late model win at 16 in the CARS Tour at South Boston Speedway.[2] By November 2025, he had amassed 23 career wins in the Truck Series, including a record-setting 12 victories during the 2025 season that clinched him the series championship.[1] Heim's ascent in NASCAR was marked by early success in developmental series. In 2021, he debuted in the ARCA Menards Series, where he secured six wins and an average finish of 3.1 across 13 starts.[1] Transitioning to the Truck Series in 2022 with Tricon Garage, he earned Rookie of the Year honors and added two wins that year, followed by the 2023 regular season championship and a Championship 4 appearance.[2][1] His 2024 campaign included further playoff contention, but it was 2025 where Heim dominated, posting 19 top-five finishes, 21 top-10s, seven poles, and 4,040 points to claim the title in a double-overtime finish at Phoenix Raceway.[1][3] Beyond the Truck Series, Heim has made select starts in higher divisions, including two NASCAR Cup Series races for Legacy Motor Club in 2024 and part-time appearances in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with Sam Hunt Racing.[1] As a development driver for 23XI Racing and a reserve for Toyota in the Cup Series, he continues to build toward potential full-time opportunities at NASCAR's top level, establishing himself as one of the sport's most promising young talents with a flawless 2025 finish record of no worse than third in the final 11 events.[2][1]Personal background
Early life and family
Corey David Heim was born on July 5, 2002, in Marietta, Georgia.[2] His parents, Lisa Heim and Ray Heim, both American nationals, hail from different parts of the United States; Lisa originated from Park Ridge, Illinois, where she pursued nursing studies at the University of Pittsburgh, while Ray grew up in the Pittsburgh area, specifically in West Deer and Verona, Pennsylvania, graduating from Riverview High School.[4][5] The Heim family provided unwavering support during Corey's formative years, with both parents playing active roles in nurturing his interests. Ray, who had a background in racing Legends cars at tracks like Lanier National Speedway, shared his passion for motorsports with his son, fostering an early appreciation for the sport through family discussions and shared enthusiasm.[6] Lisa complemented this by offering emotional encouragement and stability, drawing from her nursing profession to help manage the demands of their lifestyle. Together, they attended events and provided consistent backing, emphasizing perseverance and family unity.[7] A notable childhood anecdote highlighting their influence occurred during a family trip to Daytona International Speedway over the Fourth of July weekend, just before Corey's birthday. As a young fan of driver Denny Hamlin, Corey visited the No. 11 merchandise area with his mother, Lisa, who requested a special birthday gift; Hamlin's mother, Mary Lou, provided a pre-signed rookie card, creating a cherished memory that deepened Corey's connection to racing.[8]Education and influences
Heim graduated from Kennesaw Mountain High School in Marietta, Georgia, in 2020.[5] His early interests outside competitive racing included simulated racing through iRacing, which he engaged in extensively as a child and found himself proficient at, helping build his foundational skills and passion for the sport.[9] A key non-familial influence on Heim was NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin, whom he idolized growing up and cited as a major role model.[9] This admiration stemmed from childhood experiences, including a memorable moment during a Fourth of July weekend visit to Daytona International Speedway around his July 5 birthday, when Hamlin's mother, Mary Lou, gifted him a pre-signed rookie card after Heim's own mother mentioned the occasion.[9] Heim later described the gesture as "the coolest thing ever," underscoring its lasting impact on his aspirations.[10]Racing career
Early racing career
Corey Heim began his competitive racing career in Legends cars at Atlanta Motor Speedway, competing in the Thursday Thunder series. In 2016, at the age of 14, he captured the Young Lions division championship, marking his first major title in junior racing. The following year, Heim advanced to the Pro division and won the 2017 Thursday Thunder Pro division championship at the same venue, showcasing his rapid progression in the series.[11][12] Transitioning to super late models as a teenager, Heim made his debut in the discipline at age 15, securing his first victory in the CARS Pro Late Model Tour at South Boston Speedway in 2017. He ran the full 2018 CARS Pro Late Model Tour season, recording one win at South Boston and finishing second in the points standings with consistent top-five results across seven events. In the CARS Late Model Stock Car Tour, Heim competed selectively starting in 2020, earning his first series win that June at Hickory Motor Speedway in the Race Face Tel-Med 150, where he led the majority of the second half en route to a 2.1-second victory over Gage Painter.[2][11][13] Heim's super late model career featured several high-profile triumphs, including the 2020 SpeedFest 200 at Crisp Motorsports Park, where he edged Kyle Plott by inches in a dramatic two-lap overtime finish amid on-track tensions. Two years later, he won the 2022 Thunder Road Harley-Davidson 200 at South Boston Speedway in a chaotic 42-car field, surviving multiple crashes to take the checkered flag with significant damage to his No. 78 entry, highlighting his resilience in intense regional competition.[14][15]ARCA Menards Series
Corey Heim made his debut in the ARCA Menards Series in 2019, driving the No. 22 car for Chad Bryant Racing in 13 of the season's 20 events. He earned a top-five finish in his first race at Daytona International Speedway and concluded the year 10th in the points standings, with an average starting position of 5.1 and an average finishing position of 5.9, completing 99.1% of possible laps.[16] In 2020, Heim transitioned to Venturini Motorsports, competing in a partial schedule that included races in the national ARCA Menards Series as well as the East and West divisions. His efforts yielded his first national series victory at Kansas Speedway, where he led the final 82 laps after passing the leader on lap 19. Across the divisions, he demonstrated notable consistency with multiple top-five finishes, including three victories in the East series over eight starts and a top-10 result in his lone West series appearance at Portland International Raceway.[17][11] Heim's ARCA career peaked in 2021 with a full-time campaign in the national series for Venturini Motorsports, where he secured six wins and posted an average finish of 3.1 across 20 starts. Early in the season, he led the championship points standings after two races with an average finish of 1.5, showcasing strong superspeedway performances such as a victory at Talladega Superspeedway via a last-lap pass. Although he did not capture a title, his consistency—marked by 12 top-five and 17 top-10 finishes in 18 prior starts—highlighted his rapid progression from regional late model racing.[1][18][19][20] Heim returned to ARCA competition sporadically in subsequent years amid his NASCAR commitments. In 2025, he substituted for the ill Jake Finch in Venturini Motorsports' No. 25 Toyota at the Henry Ford Health 200 at Michigan International Speedway, starting from the rear and charging to a runner-up finish behind winner Brenden Queen after a late-race battle. This performance underscored his enduring adaptability in the series, where he has amassed over 40 combined starts across the national, East, and West divisions, with eight wins, numerous podiums, and no championships but a reputation for reliable top finishes.[21][22]NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
Corey Heim made his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut in 2021, running three races for Kyle Busch Motorsports without a top-10 finish.[23] In 2022, he joined Tricon Garage on a part-time basis in the No. 11 Toyota Tundra, making 16 starts and earning two victories (at Atlanta and World Wide Technology Raceway), six top fives, and 10 top 10s. His performance earned him Rookie of the Year honors and a 14th-place points finish.[24] Heim began his full-time campaign in the series in 2023, driving the No. 11 Toyota Tundra for Tricon Garage.[1] In his first full-time season, he secured the regular season championship with three victories, 12 top fives, 19 top-10 finishes, and four poles.[25] He advanced to the Championship 4 in the playoffs but finished third in the final standings.[26] In 2024, Heim continued with Tricon Garage and elevated his performance, achieving six wins and finishing as the runner-up in the points standings.[27] His consistency was evident with 14 top-five finishes and 18 top-10s, along with 682 laps led, solidifying his status as a top contender in the series.[1] Heim's 2025 season marked a pinnacle of dominance in the Truck Series, where he captured the regular season championship and set multiple records en route to the full championship. Driving the No. 11 Toyota, he secured 12 victories—a single-season record—including his 11th win at Martinsville Speedway in the Round of 8 finale.[28] Notably, Heim led at least one lap in every race of the 25-event schedule, becoming the first driver in series history to achieve this feat, while amassing 1,627 laps led overall.[29] He clinched the title on October 31 at Phoenix Raceway with his record-extending 12th win, finishing with 19 top-fives and 21 top-10s.[3] As of the conclusion of the 2025 season, Heim's Truck Series career totals stood at 89 starts and 23 wins.[1]NASCAR Xfinity Series
Corey Heim entered the NASCAR Xfinity Series on a part-time basis in 2023, leveraging his success in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series to secure opportunities with Joe Gibbs Racing in the No. 20 Toyota Supra.[23] His debut came on May 6, 2023, at Dover Motor Speedway in the A-Game 200, where he qualified 36th but retired early in 35th place due to an engine failure after completing just 70 of 200 laps.[30] Over the course of four starts that year, Heim adapted to the series' higher speeds and closer racing, achieving his first top-10 finish with a 10th-place run at Darlington Raceway on May 13, though he faced setbacks like a 37th-place DNF at Pocono Raceway in July due to mechanical issues.[30] In 2024, Heim expanded his schedule to 13 races, primarily with the same team, marking a developmental step in his career as he balanced Truck Series commitments.[31] He posted three top-five finishes, including a career-best third at Iowa Speedway in the Hy-Vee Perks 250 on June 15, where he started 22nd and capitalized on late-race strategy to advance through the field.[31] Additional highlights included fourth at Richmond Raceway in April and fifth at Atlanta Motor Speedway in September, contributing to four top-10 results overall that season; however, challenges persisted with incidents like a crash at Martinsville Speedway (35th) and an engine failure at Dover (35th), testing his adaptability to the series' competitive intensity.[31] These efforts earned him 82nd in the final points standings with an average finish of 17.5.[31] As of November 16, 2025, Heim has made three part-time starts in the Xfinity Series in 2025, continuing his selective schedule amid a dominant Truck Series campaign.[32] His season began with a 31st-place finish at Circuit of the Americas in March, hampered by a late spin while running competitively up front.[32] Mechanical woes struck again at Homestead-Miami Speedway in April, resulting in a 37th-place retirement due to electrical issues after leading no laps.[32] He rebounded with an eighth-place finish at Bristol Motor Speedway on May 25 in the SciAps 300, starting 16th and maintaining position in a chaotic short-track race to secure his sixth career Xfinity top-10.[32] Across 20 total starts through 2025, Heim has yet to claim a victory or pole but has demonstrated steady progress with six top-10 finishes.[23]NASCAR Cup Series
Corey Heim entered the NASCAR Cup Series on a part-time basis, beginning with substitute appearances in 2024 for Legacy Motor Club and a part-time entry with 23XI Racing, before transitioning to a part-time schedule with 23XI Racing in 2025.[33][1] In 2024, he made two starts for Legacy Motor Club in the No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE, substituting for Erik Jones, who was sidelined by injuries from a crash at Talladega Superspeedway, at Dover (finishing 25th) and Kansas (finishing 30th). Heim also made one start later that year for 23XI Racing in the No. 50 Toyota Camry XSE at Nashville Superspeedway on June 30, finishing 37th after involvement in a late-race incident.[34][35] In 2025, Heim competed in four races for 23XI Racing in the No. 67 Toyota Camry XSE, marking his initial foray into the series with the team co-owned by Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan. His season debut came at Kansas Speedway on May 11, where he started 32nd and fought through early handling issues to finish 13th, earning his career-best result at the time.[36][37] Heim's subsequent starts included a challenging run at Nashville Superspeedway on June 1, finishing 37th after a late-race incident, and a 29th-place result at Richmond Raceway on August 10, where he showed competitive pace before a strategy call impacted his position.[38][39] His most notable performance came at Bristol Motor Speedway on September 13, starting 38th but recovering from a stage-one tire issue to lead laps late and secure a sixth-place finish—his first top-10 in the series.[40][41] Across seven career Cup starts through 2025 (three in 2024 for Legacy Motor Club and 23XI Racing, four in 2025 with 23XI Racing), Heim achieved a best finish of sixth and placed 44th in the final points standings with 94 points from his four 2025 outings. His part-time schedule highlighted his adaptation to the Next Gen car, building on Xfinity Series experience as preparation for elite competition.[42][33]| Race Date | Track | Start Pos. | Finish Pos. | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 11 | Kansas Speedway | 32 | 13 | 24 |
| June 1 | Nashville Superspeedway | 33 | 37 | 2 |
| August 10 | Richmond Raceway | 32 | 29 | 8 |
| September 13 | Bristol Motor Speedway | 38 | 6 | 31 |
Achievements and records
Championships and titles
Corey Heim began his racing career in Legends cars at Atlanta Motor Speedway, where he secured the 2016 Young Lions division track championship.[11] The following year, he claimed the 2017 Thursday Thunder Pro division championship at the same venue, marking his early success in junior racing formulas.[43] In the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Heim achieved the regular season championship in 2023 during his first full-time campaign, earning the title through consistent performances across the initial 16 races.[25] He repeated this feat in 2025, clinching the regular season crown with a dominant run that included multiple victories leading into the playoffs.[44] Heim's pinnacle achievement came in 2025 when he won the full NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship, capping a record-setting season with 12 victories.[45] Advancing through the playoffs as a top seed, he reached the Championship 4 and secured the title with a dramatic victory in the season finale at Phoenix Raceway, overcoming a late caution and double overtime to hold off challengers.[46] This triumph marked his first series championship and highlighted his prowess in high-stakes postseason racing.[47]Notable accomplishments and awards
Corey Heim earned NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Rookie of the Year honors in 2022, marking a strong rookie season on a part-time schedule with the team where he secured two victories and ten top-10 finishes. In the ARCA Menards Series, Heim collected numerous special accolades during his 2021 campaign, including the Bounty Rookie of the Race award after his victory at Daytona International Speedway, the Reese's Sweet Move of the Race for a decisive pass at Elko Speedway, and multiple General Tire Pole Awards at tracks such as Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and Springfield Mile.[48][49][50] Heim's 2025 Truck Series season featured unprecedented dominance, highlighted by becoming the youngest driver in series history to reach 10 career wins at age 22 during a victory at Pocono Raceway in July 2024, a milestone he extended by setting records as the youngest to achieve 14, 15, 17, and 18 wins in subsequent races.[51][52][53][54][55] That year, he set the single-season wins record with 12 triumphs, leading laps in all 25 events for the first time in Truck Series history and capturing seven pole positions, including his seventh at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval.[56][3]Career statistics
NASCAR statistics
Corey Heim has competed in NASCAR's three national series, with the majority of his success in the Craftsman Truck Series. His career statistics reflect a rapid rise, particularly highlighted by his dominant 2025 Truck Series championship season where he secured 12 victories and led laps in every race.[1]NASCAR Cup Series Statistics
Heim has made 7 starts in the Cup Series as of the 2025 season, achieving 1 top-10 finish with a best result of 10th place. His average finish stands at 22.4, with no wins, top-5s, or poles recorded.[1]| Year | Starts | Wins | Top 5 | Top 10 | Poles | Avg. Finish | Laps Led |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25.0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 21.2 | 5 |
| Career | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 22.4 | 5 |
NASCAR Xfinity Series Statistics
In the Xfinity Series, Heim has 20 starts through the 2025 season, posting 6 top-10 finishes and a best points position of 82nd in 2024. He has no wins or poles, with an average finish of 18.7. Laps led total 15 across his outings.[1]| Year | Starts | Wins | Top 5 | Top 10 | Poles | Avg. Finish | Laps Led | Points Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25.3 | 0 | - |
| 2024 | 13 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 19.2 | 15 | 82nd |
| 2025 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 16.8 | 0 | - |
| Career | 20 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 18.7 | 15 | - |
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Statistics
Heim's Truck Series career spans 92 starts from 2021 to 2025, where he has earned 23 wins, including a record-setting 12 in his championship-winning 2025 season. He boasts 50 top-5 finishes, 67 top-10s, and 14 poles, with an average finish of 8.2 and 2,800 laps led. His 2025 campaign featured dominance, leading laps in all 25 races.[1]| Year | Starts | Wins | Top 5 | Top 10 | Poles | Avg. Finish | Laps Led | Points Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23.0 | 2 | 42nd |
| 2022 | 20 | 1 | 5 | 12 | 2 | 12.5 | 150 | 10th |
| 2023 | 23 | 5 | 12 | 16 | 3 | 9.8 | 450 | 3rd |
| 2024 | 23 | 5 | 14 | 18 | 2 | 7.1 | 600 | 2nd |
| 2025 | 25 | 12 | 19 | 21 | 7 | 5.0 | 1,598 | 1st (Champion) |
| Career | 92 | 23 | 50 | 67 | 14 | 8.2 | 2,800 | - |
Overall NASCAR Statistics
Across 119 starts in NASCAR's national series, Heim has 23 wins (all in Trucks), 53 top-5s, 74 top-10s, and 14 poles, with a combined average finish of 10.1 and over 2,820 laps led. His Truck Series prowess accounts for the bulk of these achievements, underscoring his status as a top prospect.[1]ARCA Menards Series statistics
Corey Heim competed in the ARCA Menards Series from 2019 to 2025, primarily with teams like Chad Bryant Racing and Venturini Motorsports, accumulating 44 starts across his national series career with notable success in 2021.[23] His overall performance included 9 wins, 32 top-five finishes, 42 top-ten finishes, and 7 pole positions, with an average finishing position of 4.3.[23] Heim's best season was 2021, where he recorded 6 victories en route to a runner-up points finish, though he did not secure the championship.[1] In 2025, Heim made a single substitute appearance at Michigan International Speedway on June 6, driving the No. 25 Toyota for Venturini Motorsports in place of the ill Jake Finch, where he charged to a runner-up finish behind winner Brenden Queen after starting from the rear due to arriving late.[21][23]| Year | Starts | Wins | Top 5s | Top 10s | Poles | Avg. Finish | Points Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 13 | 0 | 8 | 12 | 0 | 5.9 | 10th |
| 2020 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 4.3 | 29th |
| 2021 | 20 | 6 | 16 | 20 | 3 | 3.1 | 2nd |
| 2022 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 4.9 | 18th |
| 2025 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2.0 | 89th |
| Total | 44 | 9 | 32 | 42 | 7 | 4.3 | - |
| Series | Years Active | Starts | Wins | Top 5s | Top 10s | Poles | Avg. Finish | Best Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARCA Menards Series East | 2020–2021 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 5.0 | 5th (2021, New Jersey) |
| ARCA Menards Series West | 2019–2021 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 11.7 | 2nd (2021, Irwindale) |