Denny Hamlin’s young driver addresses Phoenix championship controversy following heated events at the end of the 2023 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season at Phoenix Raceway. Corey Heim, viewed as a model of consistency since his 2023 debut, confronted a career-defining setback when a collision with his rival during the championship finale changed the outcome of his season and ignited widespread debate in motorsports circles.
The November 3, 2023, finale at Phoenix saw Tricon Garage’s Corey Heim go head-to-head with Carson Hocevar from Niece Motorsports for the title. Leading the points and dominating the night by staying at the front for 47 laps, Heim seemed destined for his first Truck Series championship. However, during a late-race battle with just thirty laps remaining, Hocevar’s No. 42 Chevrolet made contact with Heim’s No. 11, causing a spin that effectively ended Heim’s championship quest. Spotters immediately called out the incident, and Heim crossed the finish in 18th, which left both him and his team devastated by the circumstances of the loss.
Corey Heim on Handling the Pressure and Reputation Fallout
Post-race emotions ran high for Heim and the wider NASCAR community, as Hocevar’s reputation for aggressive racing became a focal point in the controversy. The Phoenix incident was just the latest in a string of intense clashes involving Hocevar, earning him a reputation as a lightning rod for conflicts and on-track altercations. Veteran drivers and NASCAR officials have scrutinized his style, with some calling for penalties and others questioning the boundaries of fair racing.
Reflecting on the aftermath during a post-Nashville interview in June 2025, Heim recounted:
“The 2023 championship in the Trucks, just with Carson (Hocevar) and the whole mess there. It was just a big rollercoaster of emotions and the public perception,”
—Corey Heim, Driver
Heim had built a near-flawless record through his rookie year in 2022, where he earned two race victories with Kyle Busch Motorsports and claimed Rookie of the Year honors. In Phoenix, however, he found himself thrust into the harsh glare of the public eye for a split-second decision. Frustrated by the loss and under intense pressure, Heim responded by retaliating against Hocevar under caution, deliberately spinning his rival. The move resulted in a severe penalty: 25 points deducted, a $25,000 fine, and increased scrutiny from fans and fellow drivers alike.
Heim commented on his internal conflict:
“For the most part, I’ve been a really clean driver. 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 race, so seeing people come crashing down on me for retaliating was tough.”
—Corey Heim, Driver
The fallout was significant. Heim took a step away from the public for several months after the season, choosing to focus on recovery and regaining trust among sponsors, peers, and fans. During the offseason, Heim explained how he processed the aftermath:
“The good part of it was I had the whole offseason to just get over it,”
—Corey Heim, Driver
“It wasn’t like I had to go racing next week with that mindset. But from a broad perspective, I feel like it was a warranted thing, but I had to just understand I was under a microscope, and it got blown out of proportion a little bit from my standpoint.”
—Corey Heim, Driver
Throughout the turbulent months following Phoenix, Heim put in work to restore his reputation, utilizing media opportunities, sponsor appearances, and numerous fan engagements. His determination helped him bounce back to finish runner-up in the 2024 Truck Series standings, but the controversy revisited him throughout the next year as questions lingered about fair racing, aggression, and sportsmanship in NASCAR.
Carson Hocevar’s Rise and the Debate Over Aggressive Tactics
The controversy surrounding the Phoenix finish also shifted a spotlight to Carson Hocevar’s career trajectory. Since that contentious race, Hocevar advanced to drive full-time in the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series for Spire Motorsports as the No. 77 driver. Despite intense scrutiny, he secured Rookie of the Year honors, becoming only the third Michigan native to do so, and finished 21st in points during his debut Cup season.
At the June 2025 Cup event at Nashville Superspeedway, Hocevar showed competitive form, climbing from 26th on the starting grid to finish second in the Cracker Barrel 400 after completing all 300 laps. Adding to his 2025 Truck Series résumé, he took victory at the Heart of Health Care 200 in Kansas.
Hocevar’s style remains divisive among drivers, fans, and analysts. Some highlight his raw speed and potential, while detractors point to high-profile incidents, such as the Lap 106 collision with Stenhouse during the 2025 Nashville event and earlier run-ins with veterans like Kyle Busch, Shane van Gisbergen, and Ryan Blaney. Still, Hocevar appears undaunted by criticism about his approach on the track. He addressed the ongoing debate:
“I know some folks still question my style, but I’m focused on winning races. I’ll let the results speak.”
—Carson Hocevar, Driver
As Hocevar simultaneously navigates a full NASCAR Cup schedule and part-time duties in the Truck Series, the motorsports world continues to watch whether he can channel his competitive spirit into championships or if further controversy will follow.
The Broader Impact on NASCAR’s Competitive Culture
The Phoenix championship fallout between Corey Heim and Carson Hocevar has fueled ongoing discussion within NASCAR about aggressive driving, retaliation, and the line between hard racing and unsportsmanlike conduct. The episode highlighted the challenges that come with racing for championships under a microscope—where public perception and split-second decisions can define careers.
While Heim focused on repairing his standing through interviews, sponsor commitments, and direct engagement with fans, Hocevar carried on with his aggressive but effective style. For both drivers, the coming seasons offer an opportunity to reshape how they are viewed by the NASCAR paddock and the broader fan base. Their experiences underscore how championship aspirations, rivalry, and racecraft intertwine in the pressure cooker of top-level stock car racing.
The debate remains open: Did Carson Hocevar’s aggressive driving cost Corey Heim the championship, or is this controversy an unavoidable facet of hard-fought racing? Among fans, team members, and former drivers, opinions are still split, as this pivotal moment continues to resonate through every new rivalry and every strategic gamble on the track.
