Corey Heim reflects on the emotional aftermath of the 2023 NASCAR Truck Series finale, revisiting the turbulent events that unfolded at Phoenix Raceway and how they shaped his public image. The intensity of that night, combined with scrutiny from fans and the media, left an impact that lingered long after the checkered flag.
The Turning Point at Phoenix Raceway
During the final event of the 2023 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship, Corey Heim displayed his characteristic focus and speed, leading laps and positioning himself as a frontrunner for the title. As the finish neared, however, the competition took a dramatic turn when Carson Hocevar made contact with Heim, sending him into a spin and sparking a sequence of chaos on the track.
Despite the setback, Heim fought his way back through the field. With just a few laps remaining, emotions ran high as he retaliated against Hocevar by tapping his rear bumper, which resulted in Hocevar hitting the wall and the caution flag waving once more. The confusion on the track left the championship battle wide open and abruptly shifted the momentum of the race.
Amidst overtime restarts, Ben Rhodes capitalized, securing the championship win. Heim, after finishing 18th, faced immediate consequences including a $12,500 fine and a deduction of 25 points from NASCAR for his act of retaliation. Hocevar, meanwhile, ended the season higher in the overall standings, and Heim was left to reckon with both the series penalty and a wave of public criticism.
Public Backlash and Personal Struggles
In a candid interview with The Athletic, Corey Heim described the aftermath of the controversial finish as one of the most challenging periods in his life. While the chaos of the event itself was broadcast for all to see, the emotional burden he carried in its wake was less visible.
“The 2023 championship in the Trucks, just with Carson and the whole mess there—it was just a big rollercoaster of emotions and the public perception,”
—Corey Heim, Driver
Known among his peers for a measured and composed driving style, Heim was unaccustomed to being at the center of controversy. The intensity of scrutiny from both media and fans led him to confront the stigma of being cast as a villain for the first time in his racing career.
“I don’t really cause a lot of crap, but being under that microscope with 30 to go in a Truck race and everything happening the way it did, it put me in a bad light. I had to handle that because I pride myself on racing the way I want to be raced. Seeing people come crashing down on me for retaliating was tough.”
—Corey Heim, Driver
Heim revealed that the experience weighed heavily, as the negative attention was more intense than he could have anticipated. Despite the backlash, he acknowledged that some elements were outside his control, and his main challenge was managing the emotional fallout.
Finding Resilience and New Focus
Throughout the weeks following the finale, Heim took the offseason to process the events and regain perspective. Away from the immediate pressure of competition, he found some space to move past the controversy, even as the story continued to reverberate in the NASCAR community and online discussions.
“The good part of it was I had the whole offseason to just get over it. It wasn’t like I had to go racing next week with that mindset… it got blown out of proportion a little bit from my standpoint.”
—Corey Heim, Driver
Now in the 2024 season, Heim leads the Truck Series points, showing that he has successfully shifted his focus from a painful chapter to new opportunities ahead. Yet, he remains mindful of the importance of learning from the experience at Phoenix Raceway, determined not to let it overshadow the rest of his journey.
As Corey Heim continues to compete for championships, the events of the 2023 finale serve as a defining moment—one that tested his resolve and forced introspection. The lessons drawn from that night promise to influence how he handles challenges on and off the track, as he pursues further success in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
