Corey Heim’s racing journey, rooted in Marietta, Georgia, highlights the deep Chase Elliott and Corey Heim racing connection in Georgia, bringing together family legacy, community, and ambition. As Heim forges ahead in NASCAR, he shares how perseverance, influential relationships, and unique ties to other racing stars like Chase Elliott have shaped both his challenges and success.
Formative Years on Georgia’s Local Tracks
Not all racing legends begin their careers under the brightest spotlights; some, like Corey Heim, are shaped on modest southern tracks and fueled by dreams of speed. Born in Marietta, Heim’s passion for motorsports was ignited at the age of five when he first tackled quarter midget cars, displaying his love for competition early. By 2022, his career took off with the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, piloting the #51 Toyota Tundra for Kyle Busch Motorsports—a journey driven by determination and the support of family.
Yet Heim’s rise was far from effortless. Early on, he struggled with self-doubt and the pressures of competition.
I didn’t like losing, like most people, and was skeptical whether I wanted to continue racing,
—Corey Heim, NASCAR Driver, he shared candidly, reflecting on moments when setbacks almost pushed him toward quitting. His father’s unwavering encouragement and financial sacrifices provided a safety net, helping Heim weather the tough beginnings.
Chase Elliott, the Dillon Brothers, and the Small-World Racing Scene
A fascinating highlight in Corey Heim’s upbringing involves his father, Ray Heim, whose own racing career intersected with notable NASCAR personalities. Ray’s time racing Legend cars at Lanier Raceway is a proud family narrative, as he often competed directly against future names like Chase Elliott and the Dillon brothers.
My dad was always a big NASCAR fan. He raced Legend cars a lot when I was growing up at Lanier (Raceway), and he actually raced against Chase Elliott and the Dillon brothers in the same class.
—Corey Heim, NASCAR Driver.
While Chase Elliott was making waves on Georgia’s circuits, Ray Heim held his own, gaining a reputation at Lanier National Speedway—even as he juggled a job in the gambling industry to support his racing.
He was low-budgeted; he works in the gambling industry and sold old monitors from slot machines to fund his racing when I was growing up and raced locally,
—Corey Heim, NASCAR Driver, explained. These real-world connections among families built camaraderie and healthy rivalry between those carving out places in Georgia motorsports.
From Humble Beginnings to Early Triumphs
Corey Heim’s affinity for NASCAR was a product not only of his father’s influence but also of the shared family love for racing. He recounted how his father surprised him with a go-kart during a childhood Christmas, sparking the start of his own racing path.
I had started to love NASCAR and watch it with him, and he surprised me with a go-kart for Christmas when I was 4 years old,
—Corey Heim, NASCAR Driver, described. Local racing in Cumming, Georgia, and at the Lanier quarter-midget track began modestly, with the family’s limited resources making every spare dollar count.
I started racing locally in Cumming, Georgia, and at the Lanier quarter-midget track up the road. When I first started out, it was a very low-budget operation because it was more of a hobby for us.
—Corey Heim, NASCAR Driver.
But the initial fun was soon shadowed by doubts.
Quite honestly, when I was 7 or 8 years old, I had one foot out the door,
—Corey Heim, NASCAR Driver, recalled. Racing’s social fabric kept him involved:
If it wasn’t for the friends and the people I had met and formed those relationships with, I probably would have quit racing. When you’re not doing as well as you want to be, it’s not very fun.
—Corey Heim, NASCAR Driver. Driving quarter midgets at North Georgia Quarter Midget Association alongside future NASCAR drivers like Reed Soreson and Austin Hill, Heim’s early exposure to talent and adversity laid the groundwork for his later adaptability.
Progress was steady. Heim swiftly advanced to Legends car competitions, winning the 2016 Young Lions Division and conquering the 2017 Thursday Thunder Pro Division at Atlanta Motor Speedway, underscoring his capacity for quick improvement and technical adjustment.
Turning Points: Financial Stability and Racing Milestones
Improvements in the Heim family’s financial situation were a game changer. Extra resources allowed for greater investment in Corey’s racing ambitions.
My dad’s business started doing better, started putting more money into the racing side of things and chipped away at it and eventually decided to go Late Model racing,
—Corey Heim, NASCAR Driver, said. This transition enabled increased participation in Late Model races, where Corey crossed paths with well-known drivers like Bubba Pollard and attracted the attention of leading teams.
Significant partnerships helped Heim make the leap from local racing to the national scene. Relationships with teams such as Lee Pulliam Performance introduced him to highly competitive environments and valuable mentorship. By 2024, Heim was dominating in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. His standout performance at the CRC Brakleen 175 at Pocono Raceway, where he led 55 of 70 laps for his fifth victory of the year, showcased the payoff of years of hard work and family perseverance.
Heim’s ambitions have also led to opportunities in NASCAR’s upper echelons. Driving the #50 Mobil 1 Toyota Camry XSE for 23XI Racing in 2024—and doing so in celebration of Mobil 1’s 50th anniversary—he marked another step in a career distinguished by consistency and continued ascent.
The Mindset Behind NASCAR Success
Reaching NASCAR’s top ranks demands more than driving skill; it requires emotional resilience and honest self-reflection. On Jeff Gluck’s influential 12 Questions interview series, Corey Heim delved into the psychology of racing amidst such competitive intensity.
Anyone who cares gets nervous about things. If you have a big event where you have to speak to a lot of people, you’d get nervous too, if you care about it,
—Corey Heim, NASCAR Driver, said, indicating the blend of nerves and passion at the heart of racing performance.
Heim also points to NASCAR’s potential for fan engagement and the importance of immersive experiences. Regarding event atmospheres, he shared,
Every race would sell out if it were as big of a party as Talladega. No one is coming to watch 25 minutes of practice; you come to party and enjoy the race.
—Corey Heim, NASCAR Driver. This speaks to a wider vision of growing the sport’s appeal by focusing on entertainment and excitement, aspects vital for drawing new fans.
Improvement, for Heim, means striving for both physical and mental excellence on track. He openly acknowledges that while technical skills such as pit road management and restarts have improved, the real challenge is sustaining peak focus week after week.
Things such as pit road and restarts are things I can put effort into and continue to improve, and I can execute on it for one race,
—Corey Heim, NASCAR Driver.
I need to learn how to mentally let myself know (to do those things) every week.
—Corey Heim, NASCAR Driver. This determination to grow consistently is part of what makes his story so resonant for aspiring drivers.
The Lasting Influence of Georgia’s Racing Network
Corey Heim’s progress in NASCAR coincides with the broader tradition of racing in Georgia—a community where future stars frequently intersect before their names become national headlines. The Chase Elliott and Corey Heim racing connection in Georgia symbolizes the tightly-knit, competitive, yet supportive racing culture that launched both drivers. Heim’s story is also about fathers who mentored their children, resourcefulness in pursuit of dreams, and the enduring relationships that help drivers navigate struggles and self-doubt.
With each new season, figures such as Corey Heim, Chase Elliott, and the Dillon brothers inspire the next generation in Marietta, Lanier, and beyond. Heim’s journey through quarter midget events, local tracks, and into the national spotlight supports the idea that passion paired with perseverance—and rooted in community—can elevate even the most modest beginnings.
As Corey Heim looks toward future championship campaigns, his experiences serve as evidence that emotional depth, tenacity, and family ties can bridge the gap between local dreams and national racing glory. The unlikely convergence of the Heim and Elliott families on Georgia’s short tracks continues to influence the fabric of NASCAR, promising compelling narratives for years to come.
