Brenden Queen Holds Off a Dominate Corey Heim to Take the Henry Ford Health 200 Win at Michigan
Brenden Queen, also known by the moniker “Butterbean” in the No. 28 for Pinnacle Racing, who qualified from the pole to start in Friday’s Henry Ford Health 200 at Michigan International Speedway, turned up the heat once again during Friday’s race with his unwavering dominance. He clinched a late race win after fighting with Corey Heim and Gio Ruggiero for the latter half of the race.
Quen led for a total of 77 laps between the first and second half. The win came on the final restart at lap 70, but Heim didn’t want to relent. However, Queen was able to lock in his third career win by 0.3 seconds over Heim and cruised to the checkered flag in a photo finish.
How Corey Heim Tested Brenden Queen in the Henry Ford Health 200
Corey Heim, who was fielded to replace Venturini Motorsports driver Jake Finch in the No. 17 Chevrolet SS, due to an undisclosed test, Queen several times during the race’s final stage. It seemed like every time Queen looked in his rearview mirror, he saw an eager him inches from his rear bumper, but Queen kept tight, leaving no space for an opening. Heim, who runs full-time in the Craftsman Truck Series with TRICON Garage, was expected to perform well after notching his fourth career win in the North Carolina Education Lottery 200 at Charlotte.
Heim’s last ARCA race was in 2022 when he won the Kansas Lottery 150 at Kansas Speedway. Considering he’d been away from the ARCA spotlight, he ran pretty well, clocking 0.313 seconds, but he was still no match for the machine that was Brenden Queen. Queen currently stands as one of ARCA Menards fiercest on-track competitors with seven career starts, notching a win at the season-opener in Daytona, and a runner-up finish at Phoenix. He is also sixth in points standings making him eligible for the ARCA Series Title for the 2025 season.
It’s Bean Nation Tonight
Still coming off the high of his Henry Ford Health 200-win Brenden Queen proudly stood atop the podium at victory lane at Michigan International Speedway speaking excitedly into a crowd of adoring fans and onlookers, and how could he not? After all he held off a relentless Corey Heim who edged him at every angle it seemed like. During his post-race interview, it was clear that the celebration would not stop at victory lane. “It’s Bean Nation time tonight, boys!” Queen screamed upon being asked by media how he felt about the win.
The surrounding grandstands erupted in cheer and applause. The 27-year-old then added “It’s insane. I mean, I think I’ve got to climb the fence before I’m done” [with the interview]. He did just that capping the momentous occasion by literally scaling the fence in front of him. The driver’s uniqueness is what sets apart from drivers in the league and has turned him into a real-life version of “Ricky Bobby” from the movie Talladega Nights.
His unique style including a Joe Dirt style short mullet and vibrant personality is how Brenden Queen has become the household name so many have grown to love. He’s also very personable and after winning Friday’s trophy he took it and his whole Pinnacle Racing to Waffle House to celebrate just as he did with his first two wins.
Final Thoughts
Brenden Queen has become the very fabric of the ARCA Menards Series and has dominance over Corey Heim proved that. When it was down to the wire the rising Pinnacle Racing superstar was biting his tongue trying to figure out who he could pull in tighter to keep Heim out of his reach, but if nerves were part of the equation, it sure didn’t show. The win was his for the taking.
