Picture this: a racing prodigy who's dominating his circuit, yet feeling trapped in a lower tier despite having the chops to conquer the big leagues. That's the compelling story Kevin Harvick is painting about Corey Heim, and trust me, it's got everyone talking. But here's where it gets controversial— is Heim really being held back, or is there wisdom in letting him marinate in the Trucks a bit longer? Let's dive in and unpack this NASCAR drama together, step by step, so even if you're new to the sport, you'll feel right at home.
Just a couple of weeks back, Corey Heim showcased his incredible resilience once again. Piloting his No. 11 truck for Tricon Garage, he snagged his tenth victory of the season in the Craftsman Truck Series, triumphing in overtime against Brent Crews by a razor-thin 1.338 seconds, all while nursing significant damage from the race. To put this in perspective, he even eclipsed Greg Biffle's legendary 1999 record of nine truck championships. It's feats like these that have Kevin Harvick, the retired NASCAR legend, buzzing with excitement about Heim's untapped potential.
For those just tuning in, NASCAR has a tiered structure: the Truck Series is often seen as a stepping stone, where drivers hone their skills before moving up to the more prestigious Cup Series, which is the pinnacle of stock car racing with faster cars and tougher competition. Kevin Harvick, who hung up his helmet in 2023, kicked off his own career in the Trucks before leaping to the Cup Series in 2001, where he blossomed into a 2014 champion and a fan favorite. That's why the seasoned vet believes Heim has lingered too long in one division. 'There’s guys like Corey Heim that are special,' Harvick shared on his 'Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour' podcast. 'I feel like he’s pigeon-holed into the Truck Series right now. He’s just out there destroying them because he’s so much better than them. If you put him in Daytona next year in the Cup car, he’s gonna be competitive and he’s gonna figure it out.'
And this is the part most people miss— the sky's the limit for this young sensation, and his journey didn't start in the Trucks. Before jumping to the Truck Series, Heim built an impressive resume in the ARCA Menards Series, where he racked up six wins in 2021 with a stellar average finish of 3.1. He did most of that under Venturini Motorsports, a storied family-run team that's sadly closing shop after 43 groundbreaking years in racing. This outfit has been a true launchpad for superstars, churning out Cup Series heavyweights like three-time champ Joey Logano and Toyota icon Christopher Bell. Yet, team owner Billy Venturini singled out Heim as something extraordinary: 'He is super special,' he declared, highlighting Heim's unique edge.
Harvick echoes that praise wholeheartedly. Since debuting in the Trucks in 2023, Heim has been outperforming everyone, and the former champion argues it's time for a promotion. But here's where it gets intriguing— is pushing him up too soon risking burnout, or is staying put stunting his growth? Harvick doesn't hold back: he'd bet on Heim's immediate Cup competitiveness.
This season, Heim has dipped his toes into the Cup Series four times under 23XI Racing, securing a top-ten finish with a sixth-place nod at Bristol. Still, his roadmap for 2026 is shrouded in mystery, with whispers of a hybrid schedule spanning all three national series— Trucks, Xfinity, and Cup. Speculation even suggests he might fully commit to the Cup only in 2027, as noted by Jordan Bianchi. Venturini, backing Harvick, is confident: 'I believe he’d win a Cup race as a rookie. That’s how strong I think he is. He’s unique…He’s ice cold.' It's this unshakeable cool under pressure that sets him apart.
Beyond advocating for Heim's fast track to the big time, Harvick draws parallels to elite Cup drivers, painting a picture of a driver in a class of his own. In today's Next-Gen era— where all cars share standardized parts and aerodynamics make passing a rare art, often relying on savvy fuel strategy— standout talent shines through sheer grit. Take Denny Hamlin, who just clinched his 60th career win at Las Vegas, marking his sixth of the season amid personal hurdles like a NASCAR lawsuit and adapting to a new crew chief. He defied the odds, reminding us that preparation can turn the tide.
Venturini insists Heim fits into that elite group, transcending obstacles. Coming from modest beginnings, Heim outpreps rivals off-track with meticulous research. 'The amount of research that the drivers do off-track now is insane. I think the very best one for how he preps using sim and everything else is Corey Heim. Corey is the best sim driver I’ve ever seen. I’ll go that far, and it translates, because he is super special,' Venturini explained. For beginners, sim racing means using advanced simulators to practice virtually, honing skills without real risk— it's like video game training that pays off on the track.
Harvick agrees, linking Heim to Cup titans. 'That lines up with everything that I’ve watched, from the outside looking in…You’ve got the Joey Logano and the Denny Hamlin. Now, Ryan Blaney is doing pretty good, William Byron is doing pretty good, but they’ll never catch up to the experience side of things that those two guys have. There are those key guys that can go to a test and turn their season around…be able to dissect the car and put it in a path that’s better than what it was.' In simple terms, these drivers adapt on the fly, tweaking setups for better performance— a skill Heim demonstrates in spades.
Clearly, Corey Heim is redefining what's possible, turning heads with his trailblazing wins. And sponsors might just be the key to unlocking his full potential. But let's stir the pot: What if Harvick's push for an early Cup move backfires, leaving Heim overwhelmed? Or is the real controversy that the Truck Series is underestimating him by keeping him tethered there? Do you think Heim deserves that leap in 2024, or should he build more Truck experience first? Is there a driver like him in other sports who was held back unfairly? Share your hot takes in the comments— agree, disagree, or drop a fresh perspective. Let's debate!
