Joey Logano was all praise for Corey Heim after his win on Sunday’s Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Logano called Heim a ‘spectacular’ driver who’ll give the field a run for its money.
Ryan Blaney’s lap 120 wreck became a major turning point for Heim’s maiden crown jewel victory. The reigning Truck champion utilized the ensuing restart and took the lead from Denny Hamlin.
He also got a timely push from Logano to break past Hamlin, while Hamlin’s JGR teammates, Chase Briscoe and Christopher Bell, scrambled to coordinate. Heim kept his lead and crossed the stripe 0.287 seconds ahead.
In a post-race interview with NASCAR analyst Bob Pockrass, Logano shared his thoughts on Heim’s second win as a part-time driver.
“I think he’s really talented, turns out. Like I know his trucks were good, but I think the driver was spectacular. He’s got it. We’re going to be battling him forever here. He’s a lot younger to me, but he’ll be here the whole time. Just the solid drive, does the right thing, doesn’t get risky, doesn’t get nervous,” he said.
Sunday’s race marks Heim’s eighth Cup Series start this year. It was also his second win this season, after claiming his maiden at the San Diego Street Race. The former Truck Series standout, who collected 12 wins last season, is continuing his winning ways in NASCAR’s top division.
The young driver is all set for a full-time seat in the No. 67 Toyota next season. He replaces the outgoing driver Riley Herbst, whose landing spot is not yet confirmed.
Corey Heim breaks down battle with Joey Logano and Christopher Bell for Brickyard win
Corey Heim was a happy man after a hard-fought win at IMS. The 23XI Racing driver led 58 of the 160 laps, the most of any driver on track.
Reflecting upon his final stage battle for the win, Heim said:
“I was hanging on for dear life once the shade went down and the pace picked up. My car got really loose. And I had never really been in a lot of clean air throughout the day, so that was the hardest I’ve ever fought in my life to just make sure I focused on exits and kept them (Bell and Logano) in dirty air.
“I’m pretty out of breath. That was a workout. It was a dream come true. Winning at the Brickyard. That’s unbelievable,” he added via NASCAR’s official website.
Corey Heim has made 15 career Cup Series starts so far. He also made six Truck starts this season and won three of them. Heim finished outside the top-10 in only one of his Truck starts.
Notably, the 23-year-old’s last three Cup starts have yielded top-10 results as well.
Read More:
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in NASCAR, college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
