By Luis Torres, Staff Writer
AVONDALE, Ariz. — “Heim Time” is here to stay for the 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series campaign.
Heading into the NCTS Championship Race, Corey Heim enters Phoenix Raceway with another a shot at a championship and will be staying with TRICON Garage for a third year.
Despite the controversy from last year’s Championship 4 finale where his clashes with Carson Hocevar are still burning in the back of many people’s minds, Heim takes Friday’s finale with a cool and calm approach as he gets a chance of bringing the David Gilliland and Johnny Gray co-owned organization its first championship.
“I feel like last year, I didn’t know how to feel going into the race,” said Heim during Thursday’s Media Day.
“I’ve never been in situation like this where it is a one race claims everything, one race wins everything kind of format. I was obviously nervous going into the race, but I prepared really hard, and I felt really good going into it.
“Looking back at it, I think I’ve just learned to enjoy the moment. You don’t get these opportunities every day, so I’m honestly feeling pretty good about it – pretty loose compared to last year, and can’t wait to get out there.”
Since Phoenix, Heim has certainly earned his stay with the No. 11 organization, doubling his win count from three to six with full intentions of going for a seventh win to lock up the championship.
When asked about what it’ll mean to win it for Gilliland and Gray in a year they’ve rebranded themselves from DGR to TRICON, it’s everything to Heim.
“Those guys are so committed to their game, and have done such an incredible job these last two seasons of being a championship caliber race team,” said Heim. “To make that into a championship winning race team, would mean the world to me and them as well. They deserve it and so do my guys.”
If there’s one trait Heim has learned over the past couple of years with the No. 11 squad, it’s mental preparedness for a race. A trait that’s meshed well for the 22-year old standout.
“The preparation side has always been pretty key to my success and being able to mentally focus going into a race weekend,” Heim commented. “Over the last couple of years, I’ve kind of learned what matters and what doesn’t in a given week on preparing for a race.
“Just being able to spend some time for myself and be able to feel mentally cleansed going into a…
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