Corey Heim's Kansas return fuels Cup Series breakthrough hopes
At just 22 years old, Heim has already made a name for himself in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, with 12 career wins since 2022—most recently a standout victory at Darlington in 2025.
A native of Marietta, Georgia, Heim has consistently showcased his prowess on tracks like Kansas, Martinsville, and Mid-Ohio. Now, with support from 23XI Racing—co-owned by Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan—and Toyota Racing Development (TRD), Heim is preparing for select Cup Series starts, including high-profile events like the Chicago Street Race and Nashville.
Kansas Speedway holds particular significance for Heim. Not only has he celebrated previous victories there, but it also represents a proving ground as he adapts to the Next Gen Cup car. With intense preparation underway, including data analysis and hands-on training, Heim is methodically building toward a successful Cup debut.
Despite a recent setback at Kansas—a pit stop issue that cost him a shot at a third consecutive Truck Series win—Heim remains focused and resilient. He continues to lead in the 2025 Truck Series standings while eyeing the bigger stage of Cup racing.
With talent, dedication, and backing from elite mentors, Corey Heim is poised for a major leap forward. As he approaches his Cup Series debut, NASCAR fans and teams alike are watching closely to see if Kansas will spark the next chapter in his ascent.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
18-06-2025
- Express Tribune
Florida Panthers win Stanley Cup, go back-to-back with Brad Marchand shining
The Florida Panthers secured their second consecutive Stanley Cup championship Tuesday with a commanding 5-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena, capping a postseason run defined by grit, skill, and teamwork. A key figure in the triumph was forward Brad Marchand, who joined the Panthers midseason in a high-profile trade from the Boston Bruins. For Marchand, 37, the victory was deeply personal — marking his second Stanley Cup win, 14 years after lifting the trophy as a rookie with Boston in 2011. Marchand, who endured two previous Stanley Cup Final losses with the Bruins in 2013 and 2019, spoke candidly about the significance of the win. 'It feels completely different,' he said. 'I have so much more respect and appreciation for how difficult it was to get here and how hard it is and the amount of things that need to go right to win.' The veteran winger was a standout throughout the playoffs, registering 20 points with 10 goals and 10 assists, including six goals in the Final series alone, two of which were game-winners. His leadership and relentless drive were hailed by teammates as vital components of the Panthers' success. 'His leadership, his will to win, it's inspiring,' said forward Sam Bennett, who was named playoff MVP. 'We're going to follow him, and we did.' Marchand's move to Florida in March was initially met with surprise, given his 16 seasons with the Bruins. Yet the transition proved fruitful. Freed from the pressures of a captaincy and first-line duties, Marchand found a new role on Florida's third line alongside Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen. This line became one of the Panthers' most effective, balancing defensive responsibility with timely offensive contributions. For Marchand, the championship held profound meaning beyond the rink. 'He really wanted to win a Cup for his family,' said his father, Kevin Marchand. 'He's got young children, and this is very meaningful to him. This is for them.' Reflecting on past heartbreaks, Marchand acknowledged the patience and perseverance required to reach this pinnacle. 'We've been through this before where it didn't go our way,' he said. 'But when we knew we were going to win, seeing everyone's joy, it was pretty incredible.' The Panthers' victory not only cements their status as an emerging dynasty but also marks a career milestone for Marchand, whose name will be etched on the Stanley Cup once again. 'This is an incredible feeling,' Marchand said, 'especially doing it here at home with so many people who have been a huge part of it.'
Express Tribune
26-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Ross Chastain wins NASCAR Coca Cola 600, smashes watermelon afterwards
Ross Chastain celebrated a landmark victory at the Coca-Cola 600 by smashing a watermelon in tribute to his family's farming roots, thrilling the crowd at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday. Clad in his white fire suit, Chastain climbed atop his No. 1 Chevrolet, held a fresh watermelon high above his head, and then slammed it to the ground, shattering it amid cheers. The tradition honours his family's legacy as eighth-generation watermelon farmers, a ritual he began after his first NASCAR Cup Series race and has continued with every win. 'This thing is fresh from Florida,' Chastain joked. 'It just came up from our family farm. Man, for the Florida watermelon industry, that's your watermelons you're getting right now, so y'all better go buy a dang watermelon to celebrate. I want to see videos of smashed watermelons flood the socials. Florida watermelons are in season.' Chastain's win marked his first victory at a crown jewel event. Starting from 40th position, he mounted a stunning comeback to pass two-time Daytona 500 winner William Byron with six laps remaining. NASCAR confirmed Chastain is the first driver since Bobby Allison in 1969 to claim a win starting officially from the rear of the field. Byron had dominated much of the race, winning the first three stages and leading 283 laps. However, the Charlotte native, who had just signed a four-year contract extension with Hendrick Motorsports, saw his bid for a first Coca-Cola 600 win slip away. Byron finished second after a strong performance, continuing his streak of top-three finishes in the event without a victory. Chastain's team had worked through the night to prepare a backup car following a crash in Saturday's practice. 'To drive on that final run in the 600 and pass two cars that had been better than me all night, wow,' Chastain said. 'Holy cow! We just won the 600.' Originally planning to fix the wrecked car, Chastain acknowledged that NASCAR's decision to require the backup may have been a blessing in disguise. The victory gave a major boost to Trackhouse Racing and showcased Chastain's resilience and determination in one of NASCAR's most prestigious races.
Business Recorder
18-05-2025
- Business Recorder
Crystal Palace's Eze seals historic FA Cup final win against Man City
LONDON: Crystal Palace stunned Manchester City 1-0 in the FA Cup final on Saturday to win the first major trophy of their 164-year-old history thanks to a goal from local boy Eberechi Eze. At a sun-baked Wembley in front of delirious Palace fans, local boy Eze volleyed home after 16 minutes against the run of play while goalkeeper Dean Henderson performed heroics in goal and City wasted a sack-load of chances including a penalty. England forward Eze's goals in the last eight and semis had carried his team into the final for only the third time and after he struck again, Palace survived a City siege to spark a massive party for the south London fans. 'This is what dreams are made of, for me and this club. Who thought we could do it? We've made history,' said Eze, who was rejected by Arsenal and other clubs as a youth. City's second successive Cup final loss summed up a harrowing campaign in which they have been dethroned as the powerhouse of English football and will end without a domestic trophy for the first time since Pep Guardiola's first season in charge 2016-17. 'We will feel however we have to feel today, but tomorrow wake up strong and ready to go again,' defender Ruben Dias said. In the game's second decisive moment, Erling Haaland made way for Omar Marmoush to take a first-half penalty - but it was brilliantly tipped away by Henderson. For Palace's massed ranks, it was third time lucky after defeats in their previous two FA Cup final appearances in 1990 and 2016. Oliver Glasner took charge of the club 15 months ago and had suffered a poor start to this campaign with Palace failing to win a Premier league game until late October. Now he is the first Austrian coach to win the FA Cup. Cristiano Ronaldo tops Forbes' list of highest-paid athletes for third year in a row Palace had heroes aplenty, none more so than Henderson though he was perhaps lucky not to have been sent off in the first half. 'Incredible. We had a feeling it would be our day today. We deserve this so much,' he said. 'Haaland might have stepped up (for the penalty) but he gave it to Marmoush. I knew which way he was going. I knew I would save it.' City have been a pale imitation of the side that has dominated the English game for most of the past decade. But the way they began at Wembley suggested Pep Guardiola's side were determined to prove that talk of their demise had been greatly exaggerated. Having picked an ultra-attacking lineup shorn of defensive midfielders, City hemmed Palace deep inside their own half for the opening 15 minutes with Kevin de Bruyne pulling the strings on what was his last Wembley appearance in City colours. Inspired henderson His lofted ball picked out Haaland whose stretching effort at the far post was brilliantly saved by Henderson who shortly afterwards beat out Josko Gvardiol's header. When Palace finally got past the halfway, they ripped through City's lines to devastating effect. Jean-Philippe Mateta played in Daniel Munoz and his cross was met by Eze who flashed a first-time volley past Stefan Ortega for his sixth goal in his last five games. Ismaila Sarr nearly made it 2-0 but Ortega saved his close-range shot. Palace's hearts were in their mouths when Henderson clawed the ball away marginally outside his area under pressure from Haaland, but a VAR check spared him, to Guardiola's annoyance. 'The ball carried into my box and I knew it was fine - who cares?' England international Henderson said. Palace defender Tyrick Mitchell was not so lucky when he tripped Bernardo Silva and referee Stuart Attwell pointed to the spot. Surprisingly, Haaland did not take it and instead Marmoush stepped forward for his first penalty since joining City in January, but Henderson dived to his right to save. The inspired Henderson then made a flying save to keep out Jeremy Doku's curling effort as Palace reached halftime ahead despite having only 19% of possession. Munoz thought he had made it 2-0 just past the hour mark but a lengthy VAR check ruled his effort out for offside. Seven-time winners City swarmed forward and went close numerous times after the break with Henderson saving a deflected effort by Claudio Echeverri and his defenders throwing their bodies on the line to preserve Palace's lead. A huge groan went up from the Palace fans at 10 minutes of stoppage time but after more close shaves and nail-biting the final whistle sounded and they could bellow the club's anthem Glad All Over around the stadium. The club, which traces its roots to 1861 and went professional in 1905, earns qualification to next year's Europa League with the Cup win.
