NASCAR
Corey Heim Takes Second 2024 Win at Kansas
KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Perhaps the most consistent driver and team in all of NASCAR remained undefeated in the Kansas Truck race. Corey Heim’s incredible run to start 2024 is still alive, now with two wins across his perfect eight race top-10 streak. Saturday looked like a simple drive for the TRICON No. 11 team. An ill-handling Toyota and competition breathing down Heim’s neck however kept him on his toes until the checkered flag waved.
After starting 13th, Corey Heim was a man on the move in the early laps. The TRICON Garage No. 11 Toyota took the lead on lap 12, and held on for the Stage 1 win.
Stage 1 also saw front row starter Ty Majeski get into the wall on lap two. This cut tire was just the beginning of a quick night for him. After being fastest in practice, the No. 98 ThorSport Racing Ford would finish last.
Heim would be a spot shy of sweeping both Stages, with Stage 2 going to Zane Smith. Driving the No. 91 McAnally-Hilgemann Racing Chevrolet, Smith was going for a second Kansas victory.
Heim would soon retake command though early in Stage 3. Aside from a green flag pit cycle, the No. 11 led the remainder of the night. Heim eventually cruised to his second win of 2024 by a second over Smith.
“Just can’t say enough about these guys at TRICON Garage,” Heim said. “Man just top-to-bottom we executed so well today. Pit crew, everyone back at the shop, what a truck. Definitely struggled being free for most of the race, so I can’t say it was easy. Even with the balance I had, this truck had so much more potential to get better.”
“It was a handful the last 30 laps. But a huge thank you to TRICON Garage, Toyota Racing, Safelite, and everyone back at TRD. Just really really wanted this one today and I drove my butt off for it.”
“Just have to keep getting better and keep that gap to the second place guy, that’s the main thing. I feel like we were so due at this place and I really wanted this win today. I knew we were going to be capable of winning today. Now it’s about putting together some more consistency for the rest of the year and going for that championship.”
Behind Heim and Smith at the checkers were Christian Eckes, Kaden Honeycutt, and Brett Moffitt. Nick Sanchez, Tanner Gray, Dean Thompson, Daniel Dye, and Matt Crafton were the rest of the top-10.
Following the major disappointment at Phoenix last fall, TRICON and Heim appear to be in Playoff mode already. Their worst result this season has been 10th, with no evident weaknesses anywhere. A season average finish of 3.5 shows just how elite this entire Toyota team has been. The big trophy in November certainly remains at their top of mind.
Kansas marked the halfway point of the 2024 regular season for the Truckers. Saturday also kicked off a run of five straight weeks of Truck racing. Up next for Heim and the rest of the competition is Darlington Raceway. Can Heim’s superb top-10 run stay alive at the tricky South Carolina track?The Buckle Up South Carolina 200 goes green Friday 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 Peter Stratta/TSJSports
