Heim’s Historic Charlotte Roval Pole Position: A Game-Changing Moment for the Craftsman Truck Series
The electricity in the air on Friday at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval was ever-present, and a new stamp in NCTS history was made. For the first time ever, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series was set to tear up the 2.28-mile road course, and one young driver was ready to etch his name in the record books. That driver was Corey Heim.
Driving the No. 11 Toyota for Tricon Garage, Heim didn’t just show up. He dominated. After laying down the fastest lap in practice with a blistering 95.056 mph, he turned up the heat in qualifying, blasting to a 96.492 mph run to seize the pole position. It was a sight to behold, a driver and machine in perfect sync on a track that was a new beast for the entire field.
This marks Heim’s seventh pole of what’s shaping up to be a career-defining season, and it’s a moment that will be talked about for years to come. Starting alongside him on the front row will be Layne Riggs in the No. 34 Ford, who put up a heck of a fight with a strong 96.281 mph lap. Brent Crews, Grant Enfinger, and playoff contender Kaden Honeycutt rounded out a top five that’s stacked with talent, promising a can’t-miss race.
How Heim Mastered the Roval
This historic pole wasn’t just a stroke of luck for Heim. It was the result of pure dedication and a relentless drive to excel. In a season where he’s already tied the single-season record with an incredible nine NCTS race wins, you might think he’d ease up. Not a chance. When asked how he tackled the challenge of a brand-new track, Heim revealed he’d been hitting the books and studying the masters of road course racing.
He pointed to drivers like Shane Van Gisbergen, who has been a force in the Cup Series with four road course wins this year, and the Xfinity Series’ own phenom, Connor Zilisch. Watching how they attack every turn and navigate every chicane has been a crucial part of his development.”I never really came from a road-course background,” Heim admitted. It’s a humble statement from a guy who just made it look easy.
He explained that his journey to road course proficiency began back in his ARCA days. “I really started working hard on it when I first raced in ARCA… Prior to that, I think I had a couple Legends car races growing up on the road courses, and maybe a couple TA2 [Muscle Car] races to just kind of get my feet in the water.” That hard work is clearly paying off, and it’s a testament to his character and hunger to win.
A Formidable Rival in Zilisch
The plot thickened with Connor Zilisch qualifying an impressive sixth. Zilisch, who leads the NASCAR Xfinity Series standings with JR Motorsports and also has nine wins to his name this season, is a certified road course wizard. His presence adds a layer of intensity to the race, creating a must-watch showdown between two of the sport’s brightest young stars. Heim knows the threat Zilisch poses.
“I’ve always been a believer in ‘if you want to be the best, you’ve got to beat the best,’ right?” he said, showing the heart of a true competitor. Remembering Zilisch’s stellar performance at Watkins Glen, Heim acknowledged the challenge ahead. “So, definitely going to probably have my hands full with him this weekend.” That’s the kind of mutual respect and competitive fire that makes NASCAR great.
Strategy and Adaptation on a New Playground
What makes this Roval race so compelling is the unknown. Teams came into this weekend with no historical data, no well-worn setup notebooks to fall back on. Crew chiefs and engineers have been glued to their simulators, but when the green flag drops, it’s all about instinct and making the right calls in the heat of the moment.
The 67-lap showdown will be a chess match on wheels. Pit stop timing, tire management, and raw driving talent will be on full display. Fans are in for a treat as they watch strategies unfold in real-time. It’s a new chapter for the Truck Series, and with drivers like Corey Heim leading the charge, the future looks brighter than ever.
