Corey Heim Clinches a Record-Breaking 10th Victory at Charlotte Roval
You can’t keep a good man down. You certainly can’t stop Corey Heim. Not even a lap-one wreck, a battered truck held together by tape, and a field full of hungry competitors could deny him. In what can only be described as a storybook finish, Heim pulled off an improbable, awe-inspiring comeback to win the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series playoff race at the Charlotte Roval.
It wasn’t just a win. It was a statement. It was history. The day started with what looked like a disaster for the No. 11 Tricon Garage team. Mere moments after the green flag dropped, chaos erupted in Turn 1. As the field jostled for position, Grant Enfinger made contact with Layne Riggs, sending Riggs spinning directly into the side of polesitter Heim.
The impact sent Heim’s Toyota hard into the outside wall, leaving it a crumpled mess. For any other team, the day would have been over. The damage was severe, the task of recovery monumental. But this is Corey Heim and the Tricon Garage crew we’re talking about.
The Unbelievable Heim Recovery
Limping back to the pits, the No. 11 truck looked like it had gone ten rounds with a heavyweight champ and lost. The right side was mangled, compromising the aerodynamics. The pit crew swarmed the vehicle, armed with BearBond tape and sheer determination.
They patched, pulled, and pounded the truck back into some semblance of a race vehicle.It wasn’t pretty, but it was functional. Heim returned to the track, laps down but not out of spirit. What followed was a masterclass in patience, strategy, and raw driving talent.
While the leaders battled, Heim focused on hitting his marks, navigating the treacherous road course with a wounded machine. He methodically worked his way back onto the lead lap, a feat that seemed impossible just an hour earlier. He was a man on a mission, his focus unbreakable.
How Heim Stole the Show in Overtime
The race itself was a showcase of young talent, with Heim’s 17-year-old teammate, Brent Crews, dominating for much of the event. Crews led an impressive 56 of the 70 laps, looking poised to capture his first career victory. Future stars like Connor Zilisch and Gio Ruggiero were also in the mix, making it one of the most competitive fields of the season.
But fate, as it often does in NASCAR, had a final twist in store. With just three laps remaining, a caution for Toni Breidinger’s stalled truck set up an overtime finish. This was the moment that would define the race. While most of the leaders ducked onto pit road for fresh tires, the No. 11 team made a gutsy call. They stayed out. It was a high-stakes gamble, pitting Heim’s worn tires and damaged truck against a field of drivers with fresh rubber.
On the final restart, Heim was a man possessed. He navigated the chaos of overtime with the poise of a seasoned veteran, holding off the hard-charging pack. He drove flawlessly, defending his position as if his life depended on it. When the checkered flag waved, it was the battered, taped-up No. 11 Toyota of Corey Heim crossing the finish line first, securing a victory that will be talked about for years to come.
A Record-Breaking Season for Heim
This win wasn’t just another trophy to add to the case. It was Heim’s 10th victory of the 2025 season, officially breaking Greg Biffle’s long-standing record for the most wins in a single NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season. To do it in such dramatic fashion, coming back from a lap-one wreck at a challenging track like the Roval, only adds to the legend.
The victory was a full team effort, with Tricon Garage sweeping the podium as Gio Ruggiero and Brent Crews finished second and third, respectively. But the day belonged to Heim.
Final Thoughts
Today’s Charlotte Roval performance in the EcoSave 250 proved that even when faced with seemingly insurmountable odds, champions find a way to win. With three races still left on the calendar, one has to wonder, how many more records will Corey Heim shatter before this historic season is over?
