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The NASCAR Truck Series has reached its thrilling finale at Phoenix Raceway, where the championship battle is more intense than ever. Corey Heim has emerged as a standout driver this season, setting himself apart from the competition through a combination of victories and remarkable consistency. Out of the 22 races leading up to the Phoenix showdown, Heim has claimed an impressive six wins, along with 13 top-five finishes and 17 top-ten finishes. Entering this final race, he was widely considered the favorite to clinch the championship title.
However, Heim’s Phoenix race weekend has been far from smooth. Despite starting in a promising position in P2, an unfortunate penalty sent him to the back of the field, a setback that rekindled memories of his struggles at Phoenix in the past. Last year, he was a strong contender but ultimately saw his championship hopes dashed in the final race. Now, with the season on the line, fans are left wondering if Heim will experience yet another bitter disappointment in Phoenix.
The penalty was handed out early in the final stage, with NASCAR officials citing a restart violation. According to NASCAR’s statement on social media, “PENALTY: The No. 11 of Corey Heim has been issued a restart violation. He will have to restart at the tail end of the field.” The penalty stemmed from Heim crossing the start-finish line too early during the restart, a mistake that forced him to the back of the pack.
Heim was visibly frustrated by the call. “I don’t get it. Everyone was cutting down either way. It doesn’t make sense to me. The 38 cut back to the right. I was following him. He was the one who changed lines, not me.” Clearly rattled by what he viewed as an unfair penalty, Heim voiced his frustration to his crew, calling the situation “b.s.” With his chances of a win slipping away, Heim’s crew took on the role of calming him down, urging him to stay focused. “Let’s lose the battle, but we’re still going to win the war,” they told him, hoping to shift his attention back to the bigger picture.
This penalty has once again brought back memories of last year’s finale, where Heim’s championship hopes were similarly dashed. During the 2023 race, an incident with Carson Hocevar sent Heim spinning, resulting in a disappointing 18th-place finish that left him fourth in the overall standings. Now, with Heim back in the top ten, fans and team members alike are watching to see if he can overcome these setbacks and finally secure the championship that has eluded him.