Brenden “Butterbean” Queen edged out Corey Heim during the final stretch at Michigan International Speedway on Friday evening, clinching his third victory in the Henry Ford Health 200. The Corey Heim strong finish ARCA Michigan race 2025 saw Queen narrowly defeat Heim by just over three-tenths of a second after a dramatic, intense battle in the closing laps.
Queen Leads From Start To Finish
Queen set the tone early, clocking the fastest laps in both practice and qualifying before leading a race-high 65 laps. From the moment the green flag dropped, the driver of the No. 28 BRC Chevrolet SS maintained a commanding presence, holding the lead for the first 42 laps and establishing himself as the driver to beat.
Corey Heim, filling in for Jake Finch due to illness, put the pressure on despite never leading a lap himself. Heim, a standout in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, challenged Queen throughout the night, keeping within striking distance and refusing to let the leader get comfortable as he stayed glued to Queen’s rear bumper. The battle intensified between the pair in the final laps as Heim closed the gap, unleashing a determined charge for the win.
Ruggiero Makes His Presence Felt
After the initial caution, Gio Ruggiero, a rookie in both the Truck Series and Sunoco ranks, moved to the front in his debut of two scheduled races in the No. 18 Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing. Ruggiero seized the lead briefly on the restart, setting up a heated battle with Queen. However, as the race progressed following the final caution, Queen reclaimed and firmly held the top spot, while Ruggiero gradually slid back in the running order. This allowed Heim to begin climbing through the field as the laps wound down.
Final Laps Deliver Nail-Biting Finish
The decisive moment arrived as Heim surged forward in the closing laps, making a bold move in Turn 3 of the last lap in an all-out attempt to overtake Queen. Ultimately, Queen managed to keep Heim at bay, crossing the finish line just 0.313 seconds ahead. The race featured tenacious driving, strategic positioning, and relentless pursuit of victory from both Queen and Heim.
“I have so much respect for (Heim) and Gio (Ruggiero),”
—Queen, following the hard-fought duel with his fellow competitors.
“I knew I was going to have to hold off Heim Time there, but it’s Bean Nation time tonight!”
—Queen
Heim Reflects On The Close Competition
Heim acknowledged the challenge of reacclimating to ARCA machinery and praised his rival for a strong drive.
“Our cars were very equal, so I think [it came down to] track position. Not having run one of these things in a long time, it’s tough to dial that in. That last run was by far our best. We sort of struggled with it for the first two stints. The No. 28 (Queen) was quick, and Butterbean did a tremendous job as well.”
—Corey Heim
Queen’s Growth and Dedication
Queen, celebrated for his performance in the zMAX CARS Tour and on various short tracks across the East Coast, once again proved his capability on larger circuits. His string of recent victories now includes tracks at Daytona, Kansas, and Michigan. After the race, Queen highlighted the efforts of his crew and supporters.
“I’m representing all my guys back at Langley (Speedway). They work so hard. It started back in Legends cars with Phil Warren helping me, then going to Lee Pulliam’s team. I’m super proud of this Pinnacle Racing Group. This win goes to these guys and everyone else back at the shop.”
—Queen
Race Results And Championship Standings
Behind Queen and Heim, Lawless Alan secured third, followed by Ruggiero in fourth and Lavar Scott in fifth. The remainder of the top ten featured Thad Moffitt, Tyler Reif, Jason Kitzmiller, Isabella Robusto, and Eloy Falcon. The result gives Brenden Queen a narrow six-point lead over Lavar Scott in the championship standings as the ARCA Menards Series prepares for another battle at Berlin Raceway next week.
What The Outcome Means For The Field
Brenden Queen’s razor-thin win at Michigan International Speedway not only added to his growing list of achievements across mile-plus circuits, but it also marked a significant momentum boost heading into the next leg of the series. Corey Heim’s strong finish in the ARCA Michigan race 2025, despite being a substitute driver and not leading laps, underscores his continued reputation as a formidable competitor. As the championship fight heats up, fans and teams alike will be watching the coming races with excitement, especially as Queen looks to defend his newly reclaimed points lead.
