NASCAR
Corey Heim Wins Lone Truck Road Course Race of 2024 at COTA
AUSTIN, Texas – Perhaps the title favorite for the Craftsman Truck Series is now a 2024 winner. After leading the most laps, Corey Heim’s fuel was a big concern in overtime at COTA. The TRICON Garage No. 11 Toyota remained under power though, charging to a dominant first victory of the season. Could this be the first of many wins once again for Heim? He hardly put a wheel wrong all race long on the ultra-technical road course.
17 year-old polesitter Connor Zilisch was the talk of the town prerace, taking quick time in his NASCAR debut. His time out front would be very short lived however. The Spire Motorsports No. 7 Chevrolet overcooked turn one on the start, getting forced outside the top 30.
Both stages would be dominated by championship favorite Corey Heim. The TRICON No. 11 Toyota short pitted Stage 1 though, handing this win to Nick Sanchez. Heim eventually cycled back to the lead for Stage 2, and initially took off in the final run too.
Over the closing laps, Heim built up a large lead ahead of Zilisch. The teenager had to battle through his lap one issue, getting spun, and a penalty for short cutting the course.
A strange caution to say the least sent this race into overtime. Marco Andretti was stranded after losing his rear end housing out of turn 11.
Following a few late restarts, Heim led TRICON Garage in a 1-2 result with Taylor Gray. Despite possible shortages on both Toyotas, they both brought it home in Texas.
“Just prepared so hard for this race,” Heim said. “Huge thank you to everyone back at TRICON Garage, Toyota Racing, the Safelite Toyota Tundra TRD Pro was phenomenal. Huge thanks to Trevor Bayne for my prerace stuff, he’s helped me so much. Keegan and Eric back at 23XI as well. Just so much help through so many areas of this race for me.”
“I came into this race last year and struggled really. I think I finished sixth with a penalty and was just all over the place. To put together a solid race like this is so special, really just shows how good our trucks are back at the shop.”
“Just great consistency, that was the name of the game last year. It helped us get as far as we did. Had an unfortunate result at the end, but I think this year we can make it back and prove that we’re champions. Super excited for the rest of the year, I think we’re really just getting started with our best tracks ahead of us. I can’t wait.”
Behind Heim and Gray at the finish were: Ty Majeski, Connor Zilisch, and Ross Chastain. The rest of the top-10 drivers were: Jack Hawksworth, Ben Rhodes, Christian Eckes, Dean Thompson, and Tanner Gray.
The Craftsman Truck Series will return to the track at Martinsville Speedway. Friday night lights will define the next race for the Truckers, with Heim gunning for a second straight win. The Long John Silver’s 200 goes green at 7:30 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. The No. 11 won this race last year as well, this team eyes a second Grandfather Clock trophy.
Written by Peter Stratta
Be sure to follow us on Twitter/X
Be sure to follow the writer on Twitter/X
Photo Credit to Johnathan Bachman/Getty Images
