The Chicago Cup qualifying session saw Corey Heim miss the Chicago Cup race for 23XI Racing after a tense battle with Katherine Legge, who secured the last spot on the grid in a dramatic final round. The outcome was especially notable as Heim, a frontrunner in the NASCAR Truck Series, unexpectedly failed to advance, marking a surprising turn during the weekend’s qualifications.
Intense Competition for Final Grid Position
Five open entries competed for the last four grid slots in Chicago, with competitors including Shane van Gisbergen, who secured pole, and a direct contest between the No. 78 Live Fast Motorsports Chevrolet and the No. 67 Toyota of Corey Heim from 23XI Racing. Will Brown placed 19th for Kaulig Racing, Austin Hill finished 30th in his Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, and Josh Bilicki landed the 31st position driving for Garage 66 Ford, locking in their places for the main event.
In a surprise twist, Corey Heim, who has been excelling in the NASCAR Truck Series, was at risk of not qualifying. During his first qualifying attempt, Heim collided with the wall, damaging a toe-link on his car. Despite improving his lap time by four tenths on his second effort, he was not fast enough to claim a needed spot on the grid.
Katherine Legge Capitalizes Despite Adversity
Katherine Legge, who started her Cup series campaign at Phoenix earlier this year, also faced challenges. She struck the tire barriers in practice and brushed the wall during qualifying. However, unlike Heim, Legge’s car did not suffer significant damage, enabling her to continue pushing for a grid position.
Legge’s effort paid off as she edged Heim by just over a tenth of a second, allowing the single-car team to advance into the Chicago Cup race and ending Heim’s hopes for a starting spot with 23XI Racing.
“I was thinking, way to go showing all my minor indiscretions there,”
—Katherine Legge, Driver
“We would have been a lot faster had I not kept nicking the walls. I’ve given my crew a lot of work to do. Sorry guys! But I just had to keep pushing and put it in the show, which we did so I’m very proud of them. I’m very much looking forward to tomorrow and a little bit less stress.”
—Katherine Legge, Driver
High Pressure and Emotional Responses from Drivers
Legge, who has started at the Indy 500 four times, described the pressure of this qualifying session as even greater than that of the famous oval race. She emphasized how limited practice for Chicago’s street course made it especially difficult for newcomers and returning drivers alike.
“There’s a level of comfort with Indy,”
—Katherine Legge, Driver
“I know where I’m going and what I’m doing and here, it’s very much drinking from a fire hose, trying to find my feet and get better. And the only way to get better is with laps and we don’t have any practice … it’s this vicious circle. But I really appreciate everybody’s support. it means the world to me. i can’t thank everybody enough. It’s been a hell of a year.”
—Katherine Legge, Driver
Following her qualifying performance, Legge will start 33rd out of 40 cars and will be among entrants from five different countries, linking global motorsport talent on the Chicago grid. Born in Surrey, England, Legge brings further international representation to the event.
Meanwhile, Corey Heim expressed his frustration and sense of personal responsibility for not making the race, taking to social media following the outcome.
“Made a mistake on my first lap and bent the toe link. Tried to get everything I could out of it after that but clearly wasn’t enough. That’s completely my fault and still trying to process all of it. Thank you 23XI Racing for a car plenty capable enough to make the race.”
—Corey Heim, Driver
Significance of this Qualifying Outcome
The absence of Corey Heim from the Chicago Cup race is a noteworthy shift, given his success in the NASCAR Truck Series and the expectations surrounding 23XI Racing. Meanwhile, Katherine Legge’s perseverance through on-track challenges sets a compelling precedent for single-car teams navigating high-pressure qualifiers, and her advancement adds depth to the competing field. As the main event approaches, attention will remain fixed on how these qualifying stories will impact team strategies and driver morale in one of NASCAR’s most diverse and unpredictable weekends.
