Corey Heim delivered a commanding performance to win the inaugural NASCAR Truck Series race at Lime Rock Park on Saturday, demonstrating why Corey Heim dominates NASCAR Truck Lime Rock events. Starting from pole position, Heim controlled nearly every lap, picked up both stage wins, and led 99 of the 100 laps, asserting total dominance at the Connecticut track.
Layne Riggs was the only driver to briefly disrupt Heim’s lead, pulling ahead for a single lap during a restart. Despite the challenge, Heim reclaimed the front spot almost immediately and retained it through to the finish.
Heim Sets New Milestone in Truck Series
The victory at Lime Rock Park marks Heim’s 16th career win in the Truck Series, propelling him to tenth on the all-time wins list. That achievement further cements his reputation as one of the most formidable competitors currently on the circuit.
“It was nothing short of incredible, man,”
—Corey Heim, Race Winner
“These are the races I really look forward to. I prepare pretty hard for them and to see that all pay off is super special. The truck was so good today. I can’t complain one bit about that. Flawless day. We’ll take that and move forward.”
—Corey Heim, Race Winner
Top Finishers and Notable Performances
While Heim was unchallenged at the front for the majority of the race, Ty Majeski finished second and Gio Ruggiero secured the third spot on the podium, both drivers putting in steady races without finding a way to threaten Heim’s lead. Ben Rhodes crossed the line fourth, and Australian Supercars standout Cam Waters completed the top five, adding international flair to the first NASCAR Truck event at Lime Rock. Following these drivers, Chandler Smith finished sixth, Josh Bilicki seventh, Brent Crews eighth, Daniel Hemric ninth, and Tyler Ankrum rounded out the top ten.
The field included several established names and rising stars, with competitors such as Jonathan Bachman capturing the event’s photographic moments, and organizations like Spire Motorsports, TRICON, and Toyota making strong showings.
Race Incidents and Key Moments
Remarkably, the early and middle sections of the race were clean, with limited interruptions and minimal incidents reported. The final stage, however, saw a few tense moments, including a delay caused by one truck leaking fluid on the track, which led to a short red flag. Once the green flag flew again, Heim remained firmly in command, with Layne Riggs and Mosack taking advantage of the situation to move up in the running order.
Veteran driver Matt Crafton slipped off track and was forced to make an unscheduled pit stop, but this did not initiate a full-course yellow. Similarly, Dawson Sutton had to nurse his truck back to the pits after sustaining a cut tire, further shuffling the order for several competitors.
The prospect of a caution-free event disappeared when Matt Mills became stranded off-course with just 11 laps remaining, prompting the first natural yellow flag of the day. The resulting restart led to the race’s most chaotic moment: Jordan Taylor, running inside the top five for much of the day, spun out and triggered an incident involving teammate Rajah Caruth. Despite the turmoil, the race remained green and Corey Heim managed to evade the trouble, ultimately taking the win unfazed. Taylor, who had shown strong pace until the incident, fell down the order and finished 20th.
An Unrelenting Pace from Start to Finish
From the start, Heim demonstrated unrelenting pace, making it clear that his No. 11 TRICON Toyota was the car to beat. Even as the track conditions and strategy demands shifted, Heim stayed ahead, never relinquishing meaningful control. Spencer Boyd was the first to experience trouble early on, with a spin into the grass, but continued without major consequence.
Stage 1 ended with Heim leading by over seven seconds over Riggs, while IMSA ace Jordan Taylor held third. Stage 2 unfolded with a similar storyline: Heim took the win again, Riggs stayed second, and Taylor maintained his third-place run. Throughout both stages, passing was notably difficult around the tight and technical Lime Rock road course.
Race Statistics and Standings
The field’s competitive pace was evident in the lap and interval statistics, as drivers jostled for position and made time on the compact track. By race end, multiple competitors finished on the lead lap, while others faced setbacks—ranging from minor spins to late-race chaos—and crossed the line further afield.
Saturday’s event added a new chapter to the venue’s history, bringing out a blend of NASCAR’s best and attracting attention for both experienced regulars and rookie sensations. The presence of drivers such as Nick Sanchez, Joey Logano, and international talents like Cam Waters expanded the reach and excitement of this inaugural competition.
The Broader Significance of Heim’s Victory
Corey Heim’s flawless run at the debut NASCAR Truck Series event at Lime Rock Park not only placed him among the sport’s elite but also demonstrated how strategic preparation and outright pace can redefine expectations for road course racing in NASCAR’s truck division. The event revealed both the evolving skill set of young drivers and the ability of teams and organizations like TRICON and Spire Motorsports to adapt quickly to new track challenges. With Heim’s 16th career win, the series now looks forward to further milestones as the championship continues, and drivers seek to challenge his growing legacy.
