Corey Heim made it clear that he wasn’t a fan of NASCAR‘s change to Saturday’s CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race at EchoPark Speedway. After being delayed due to rain, the race was given a cut-off time of 4:20 p.m. Eastern time.
Originally scheduled for 135 laps, the race failed to reach that distance as it was ultimately shortened to 125 laps, with Kyle Busch taking the checkered flag in the No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet.
Meanwhile, Heim had to settle for fifth place in the No. 1 Tricon Garage Toyota. Following the race, the defending CRAFTSMAN Truck Series champion gave NASCAR a piece of his mind regarding the decision to shorten Saturday’s race.
Corey Heim on NASCAR shortening the Truck race: ‘It’s just stupid’
When speaking to the media on pit lane following the FR8 Racing 208, Heim said the shortened race reminded of his younger days. The 23XI Racing developmental driver said he used to have a “curfew” when he raced quarter midgets as a youngster.
“It just feels like I’m a little kid again. You get told your race is getting cut short, it’s just stupid. We’ve spent so much money to come out here and race for our sponsors and we don’t even really get a chance to race for a win,” Heim said.
NASCAR’s decision to shorten the race was a timing issue. With the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race scheduled for 5 p.m. Eastern time on The CW, NASCAR was forced to wrap up the Truck race before then.
It was evident that Heim wasn’t aware of the change as he was hoping to know about the decision in advance.
“Had they told us they were going to shorten the race 10-15 laps from the start of stage three. Would’ve painted a totally different picture, it might have, but I was never informed of that. I just think it’s stupid,” Heim said.
After starting from the 20th position, Heim found his way to the front on Saturday. He put his No. 1 truck out front for six laps and won the opening stage of the race. Heim was shuffled out to ninth in stage two, but ultimately came home fifth in the end.
Heim believes communication is what NASCAR lacked regarding Truck race
Heim also spoke to SiriusXM NASCAR Radio about the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race being shortened. He referred to racing against the clock “a joke” and that cutting the race short late in the going threw a wrench in everything.
“When you cut the race short 15 laps, it changes everyone’s strategy and makes it pretty difficult. The fact that they told us so late was not ideal for anybody except for the Spire trucks. So, pretty unfortunate, for sure,” Heim said.
When asked about communication, Heim said that “some” would’ve been beneficial.
“Any would be great, for sure,” Heim said.
Heim captured the 2025 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series title one year ago in a record-setting season. The Georgia native won 12 races, which set the record for the most wins in a single season in the history of the series.
Heim also competes for 23XI Racing on a part-time basis. He competed in last week’s Daytona 500 in the No. 67 Toyota.
Corey Heim Frustrated by NASCAR’s Truck Race Change