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Corey Heim Cashes in with Fresher Tires Late at Darlington

Corey Heim Cashes in with Fresher Tires Late at Darlington
Photo Credit to Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images

NASCAR

Corey Heim Tames Darlington Again with Last Lap Pass

DARLINGTON, S.C. – Reigning Truck Series champion and part-time 2026 competitor Corey Heim picked up right where he left off last fall in Darlington. Thanks to putting on scuff tires late, the TRICON Garage No. 5 Toyota was able to rocket his way to third by the white flag in double overtime. Only behind Ross Chastain in the final corners, Heim made quick work of him in turn four and took a second straight Darlington triumph.

Fastest in practice and starting on the pole, Kaden Honeycutt looked to be in prime position for his maiden Truck win. The same TRICON No. 11 team that won here last year was as fast early on, being one point shy of a Stage sweep. Christian Eckes would take advantage of Honeycutt and teammate Corey Heim battling for the lead to steal the opening Stage win. Honeycutt’s 11 would go onto lead a race-high 59 laps.

As laps wound down, Cup Series stars Ross Chastain and Carson Hocevar migrated forward, with the 77 taking command. Hocevar’s drive to victory would only be derailed by a cut right front tire inside of the final five laps.

With Chastain now leading, overtime was underway. A restart stack-up would send this finish to double-overtime, with Chastain pitted against Honeycutt.

Chastain was able to clear by turn one, but Corey Heim was a man on a mission late. Restarting ninth, the No. 5 had enough life in his slightly-fresher tires to drive by many trucks ahead of him, and found Chastain’s bumper after the white flag. Thanks to a dive bomb move in turns three and four, Heim got to Chastain’s inside and made it stick for a 24th career triumph.

“I’m out of breath, for sure,” Heim said. “Man we had those set of scuffs laying, and they were five laps fresher than everyone else’s. I was like ‘it’s worth a shot, I don’t think we can win from where we’re at.’ Damn, sure enough, I just felt like I made all the right moves. Made it three-wide into [turn] three there coming to the white [flag], and bombed it off in there on Ross. I was shocked he gave me the bottom like that with fresher tires.”

“I’m so out of breath, but just thankful for TRICON Garage. Glad we could get this No. 5 Tundra in victory lane. I didn’t even know I was racing this race until three weeks ago. Frontline came aboard and helped me out with this deal. I love racing and winning, just drove the crap out of it and it worked out.”

“I would absolutely love to if they’d have me back, we’ll see,” Heim said when asked about running for the Triple Truck Challenge bonus money. “Anyone who wants to come on board, I don’t care, I just want to drive the thing. That was awesome, just had a blast. I love Darlington, I love racing, and just want to do it more often.”

Behind Heim and Chastain at the finish were: Christian Eckes, Kaden Honeycutt, and Connor Mosack. The rest of the top 10 were: Christopher Bell, Grant Enfinger, Gio Ruggiero, Daniel Hemric, and William Sawalich.

Not only does Heim pocket an extra $50,000 with this Darlington win, he also ties another Truck Series legend. The 2025 champion is now even with 2016 champion Johnny Sauter at 24 wins apiece, fifth-most all-time. Depending on Heim’s remaining 2026 schedule, he could rise even higher up this elite winner’s list.

Truckers will be back to action in two weeks from Rockingham Speedway. The Black’s Tire 200 marks a second straight year of competition for the Trucks on the revitalized Carolina foothills track. The Richmond County green flag will fly Friday, April 3 at 4:30 p.m. ET on FS1, NRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Written by Peter Stratta

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Photo credits to Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images

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