NASCAR
Corey Heim Wins His Way into Phoenix Finale at Bristol
BRISTOL, Tenn. – The Craftsman Truck Series regular season champion will be one of four racing for the big trophy at Phoenix. After taking command from Christian Eckes with six laps left, Corey Heim took win number three of the season at Bristol. In their first year together, Heim and TRICON Garage No. 11 team know they will be contending for a NASCAR title at Phoenix Raceway next month.
From the pole, Christian Eckes was lights-out dominant in the No. 19 Chevrolet. Eckes took both Stages, led 150 laps and appeared on cruise control to a dominant victory.
It would not be two-straight triumphs for the 19 crew though, after heavy lapped traffic and Eckes’ truck going really tight in the closing laps. Heim stalked Eckes down for the entire third Stage, and pounced when it counted. The No. 11 Toyota is now the first team to secure their spot in the Championship 4.
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“Just a huge thank you to TRICON Garage, Toyota Racing and Safelite, this is insane,” Heim said. “I just feel like I’ve given so many away this year, to win one at the end like that is so special. Huge thanks to David Gilliland, Scott Zipadelli and everyone back at TRICON Garage. This is just unreal. We finally got one back.”
Behind Heim and Eckes, the Bristol top-10 finishers were: Grant Enfinger, Carson Hocevar, Taylor Gray, Rajah Caruth, Ben Rhodes, Chase Purdy, Nick Sanchez and Matt DiBenedetto. Hear from some of these drivers below.
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Heim is the only driver guaranteed safe for Phoenix. The other three currently in on points are Eckes, Hocevar and Enfinger. Two entire races remain for any one of seven drivers to lock their way into the season finale though.
The next Truck race will be in two weeks from Talladega Superspeedway. The ultimate unknown Playoff race may send its winner to the Championship 4 as well. The Love’s RV Stop 250 will go green Saturday, September 30 at 1:00 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. While some drivers are ahead of the cut line on points, nobody can truly feel safe with Talladega looming.
Written by Peter Stratta
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Photo Credit to Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
