03-06-2025
Corey Heim Regrets 'Desperate Move' on Brad Keselowski in Nashville
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Corey Heim has opened up on the incident involving him and Brad Keselowski during the NASCAR Cup Series race at the Nashville Superspeedway. Heim regretted his move on lap 132 that led to a contact with Keselowski at high speed.
Calling his action a "desperate move," Heim has taken responsibility for the incident.
Heim was moving up the order quite fast after starting from P33 and showcased a strong chance of finishing in the top 10. However, the incident with Keselowski ended his race. The Cracker Barrel 400 was Heim's second race start of the season.
The 22-year-old driver explained that he was highly confident about the pace in his Toyota Camry and assumed that he had passed Keselowski. However, the error in judgment cost both drivers and teams a considerable number of points. Being apologetic for the incident, Heim told NBC Sports:
Corey Heim, driver of the #11 Safelite/Foster Love Toyota, enters his truck for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Rackley Roofing 200 at Nashville Superspeedway on May 30, 2025 in Lebanon, Tennessee.
Corey Heim, driver of the #11 Safelite/Foster Love Toyota, enters his truck for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Rackley Roofing 200 at Nashville Superspeedway on May 30, 2025 in Lebanon, Tennessee."I'm pretty sure I just kind of cleared myself across the nose of (Brad Keselowski). A little bit too desperate. We were moving forward really quick and I had a lot of confidence in my Camry and thought I could clear him by the time I got to the wall, and just used too much racetrack, so sorry to those guys. It looks like I kind of ruined his day, too, and never want to do that. Just can't say enough about the speed we had.
"I think if we didn't start in 33rd, we could have been battling in the top 10. A lot of positives, just screwed it up on my part. Huge thank you to 23XI, Toyota. Definitely had a lot of fun, and looking forward to doing again."
Another incident at Nashville that made headlines was Carson Hocevar's clash with Ricky Stenhouse Jr., who was hit from behind. The Hyak Motorsports driver then lost control and crashed into the wall. Hocevar went on to secure second place, while Stenhouse Jr. finished last. Speaking to the media on pit road, Hocevar said:
"I kind of got a run and felt like I was kinda there. That like, I felt like I was there enough, right, to get a call inside and have him kind of just run the middle. Honestly, probably could have cleared me. So, that's just what I expected him to do, and he didn't. And by the time I checked up, I almost spun too.
"So, yeah, if he wants to talk, I'll be glad to talk. I feel like it's just a product of this, unfortunately. Just everybody just kind of tries to get there. I think there were a bunch of people that got shipped that either didn't wreck or did get wrecked."
He added:
"At the same time I feel like maybe I could have got caught a break too with how big of a run I had. So, I think it goes both ways, or could go both ways, and that's what we'll talk about."
