Heim Grabs Gateway Truck Win in Overtime

Photo Credit to Kyle Busch Motorsports via Twitter

NASCAR

Overtime in Gateway Proves to Be Heim-Time

MADISON, Ill. – The teammate dynamic this year at Kyle Busch Motorsports has been interesting to say the least. On an overtime restart from Gateway, it was Chandler Smith giving Corey Heim the push he needed to clear for the victory. In just Heim’s ninth career Truck Series start, Gateway already is win number two for the young Georgia native.

The KBM trio went from perfect to pitiful in a matter of laps. Stage 1 saw the Toyota team place 1-2-3, with Chandler Smith picking up the initial win. Stage 2 was a much different story however, with two of their drivers finding trouble. John Hunter Nemechek wrecked making a dive bomb move on a restart, trying to go three-wide out of turn four.

Just a matter of laps later, Chandler Smith was crashed from the lead, as Grant Enfinger got loose underneath the 18. Enfinger was trying to hold on with much older tires, and just ran wide through turn one.

As strong trucks were taken out of contention late in Stage 2, this win wound up going to Ben Rhodes. Rhodes appeared to be driving off to the victory in the closing laps, until he lost radio communication with his crew.

With just 19 laps left, the 19 of Derek Kraus took command by Rhodes. Looking for his first career win, Kraus had raced his way all the way from last on the starting grid. Another ThorSport truck would quickly challenge Kraus though, as Christian Eckes filled his rearview mirror. After stalking him down from a second back, Eckes made the pass for the lead with six laps to go.

Keeping Eckes from a guaranteed victory though would be a late caution. Tanner Gray would blow a tire and pound the wall, sending Gateway into an overtime finish.

As Eckes took the top lane on the restart, KBM teammates Corey Heim and Chandler Smith lined up nose-to-tail on the bottom. The 18 gave the 51 a great push, as the 98 spun his tires badly. By turn one, Heim had the lead and drove off from the pack. A last lap crash would end this race under caution, handing the win to Heim. In just six starts this year, Heim now has a pair of victories, backing up his Atlanta triumph.

“I can’t believe I had the bottom there,” Heim said. “That was unbelievable. Great push by Chandler Smith there. All the dedication to my team these past couple of weeks has been everything. I’ve just put in so much time and effort, trying to improve my craft. Kyle Busch Motorsports, everyone back at the shop, what an awesome crew and phenomenal job. Man I’m out of breath now, that was awesome!”

Coming oh so close to another victory in second would be Christian Eckes. Gateway marks the fourth-straight top five for the ThorSport 98. Chandler Smith, Stewart Friesen, and Johnny Sauter rounded out the top five. Matt DiBenedetto, Derek Kraus, Ben Rhodes, Zane Smith, and Chase Purdy were the rest of the top 10.

After a great day in Gateway for Kyle Busch Motorsports, the Toyota powerhouse hopes for more of the same next week. The first Truck race at Sonoma Raceway since 1998 marks Kyle Busch’s fifth and final start of 2022. Being winless through his first four races, the bossman wants to end his Truck year on a high note. The Door Dash 250 will go green Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

Written by Peter Stratta

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Photo Credit to Kyle Busch Motorsports via Twitter