Corey Heim dominates NASCAR LiUNA 150 with a flag-to-flag victory at Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, Connecticut, on Saturday, asserting his prowess on the circuit’s first-ever Truck Series appearance at the historic venue. The 22-year-old driver, piloting the No. 11 toyota/”>Toyota, led every lap of the 100-lap contest and weathered late restarts to capture his fifth win of the season and the 16th of his career.
This race marked a milestone, as it was the first NASCAR National Series event ever hosted at Lime Rock Park, a track known for its grassy hills rather than traditional bleachers, drawing fans who enjoyed the action from the natural terrain. Although Heim’s performance was described as dominant, there was little drama or overtaking at the front, making for what many called a straightforward day of road course competition.
Race Execution: Heim Sets the Pace from the Start
Heim started from pole, setting the tone by leading right from the green flag. He maintained control through both the opening and second stages, accumulating valuable stage points, and by Lap 26, he was already navigating through lapped traffic. Pursued by Layne Riggs in the early laps, Heim’s lead began to grow as the field stretched out, with Riggs trailing by more than seven seconds and Taylor more than a dozen seconds behind during the second stage.
Heim further demonstrated his mastery at Lime Rock by clinching his 13th stage win of the season in Stage 1 and achieving his fifth consecutive Stage 2 victory. He also positioned himself to claim the fastest lap point of the day, solidifying his grip at the top of the Truck Series standings with three regular-season races left.
Key Moments: Late Cautions and Steady Lead
Unlike typical short-track chaos, the Lime Rock race was punctuated by periods of clean running. Race officials opted for three-minute, non-competitive pit stops during stage breaks rather than live stops. In the final segment, Heim survived a restart that saw Matt Crafton slip off into the grass but kept the field green. His lead grew from just under a second to 2.42 seconds over the next 20 laps. Later in the race, Matt Mills, who was running 24th, also slid off course, prompting the event’s first caution period and stirring some reactions among the fans. However, Heim remained composed on the last restart, fending off competitors and continuing his dominant streak.
This complete dominance places Heim third on the all-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series win list, behind only Kyle Busch (67 victories) and Johnny Sauter (24 wins), highlighting the significance of Saturday’s achievement.
Fan Response and Series Outlook Following Lime Rock Debut
The debut of the Truck Series at Lime Rock Park drew curiosity and a range of reactions from both fans and NASCAR insiders. With the scenic hills of Lakeville serving as the backdrop, social media buzzed about the first appearance of truck racing at the 1.478-mile, seven-turn road course, as well as the calm, measured nature of the contest. Some long-time viewers found Heim’s dominance impressive but noted the lack of drama, as summed up by the recurring description from corners of the crowd: “Ho-hum.”
NASCAR insiders believe that, barring a stretch of bad luck, Heim’s campaign this year might have already yielded up to 10 wins before the extended mid-season break. With three races remaining in the regular season and as many playoff spots available, the Truck Series will pause for four weeks before returning at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park on July 25, where drivers and teams are expected to renew their chase for supremacy.
The Truck Series’ introduction to Lime Rock Park will be remembered as an event where Corey Heim’s authority was never challenged, offering fans a glimpse at history in Connecticut’s unique motorsports landscape and setting the stage for an intense run to the playoffs.
