Kevin Harvick did not mince words when discussing the Corey Heim Chicago qualifying disaster that unfolded during the NASCAR Cup Series weekend at Grant Park. On his Happy Hour podcast, the veteran driver and 2014 series champion labeled Heim’s failure to make the field as “a complete disaster,” after Heim was eliminated from contention by Katherine Legge in a tense qualifying session on the Chicago street course.
Harvick’s Tough Assessment of Heim’s Costly Error
Kevin Harvick called out the problems that derailed Corey Heim’s hopes before the main event even started. Heim, piloting the No. 67 toyota/”>Toyota for 23XI Racing, was among five hopefuls—Will Brown, Austin Hill, Josh Bilicki, and Katherine Legge included—vying for the final open spots on the grid. With only four slots available, every qualifying lap carried immense pressure.
According to Harvick, the crucial mistake came during practice when Heim crashed, leaving him with limited preparation. He made it clear that in these nail-biting street course settings, smart coaching is vital. As Harvick explained, simply keeping the car intact was the main necessity to advance, but the pressure proved costly for Heim as he failed to make the race.
“I look at it as a complete disaster for the #67 car and Corey Heim,”
—Kevin Harvick, 2014 NASCAR Cup Series Champion
During qualifying, Heim’s troubles compounded as he made contact with the wall on his initial run, damaging a critical suspension part—specifically, he bent a toe link. With little time for repairs, Heim managed a single flying lap, clocking in at 92.506 seconds despite the car’s handling issues. Katherine Legge, seeking her own place in the NASCAR Cup Series, recorded a faster time of 92.368 seconds in the next round, ousting Heim from the final starting spot by a small margin.
Learning the Hard Way As Opportunity Slipped Away
Harvick emphasized that simple mistakes come at a high price when the competition for even a single open position is so fierce. He zeroed in on the need for steady nerves and tactical awareness, especially for a driver who is expected to develop quickly. Harvick’s view was uncompromising when reflecting on Heim’s approach to the situation.
“And I think that’s the coaching that goes into these types of situations in these moments on these street courses, especially in his position. Don’t wreck. You have to beat 1 car. We want you to go fast in the race, but we have to first be in the race… He didn’t get to race, and that was the only reason that he was there.”
—Kevin Harvick, 2014 NASCAR Cup Series Champion
Harvick went on to address the deeper lesson for Heim. Reliance on minimal preparation, as seen after his practice mishap, can result in missed opportunities and stalled momentum in a young driver’s career. The 90% rule—stressing the importance of just making it into the field over taking big risks—was ultimately underlined by Heim’s exit.
“But I think a guy like Corey Heim, that is mentally tough like he is, you think that that’ll be a learning moment that he will never forget. The disaster comes from the part of not being able to get all the laps in the race. But, you know, I think that that 90% rule is in effect when you’re in that position in practice and qualifying.”
—Kevin Harvick, 2014 NASCAR Cup Series Champion
Katherine Legge’s Milestone Outing After High-Stakes Battle
While the Corey Heim Chicago qualifying disaster left the rookie learning a bitter lesson, the outcome was a breakthrough for Katherine Legge. The pressure she faced reminded her of past challenges, such as attempting to make the grid for the Indianapolis 500.
Legge started in her third career NASCAR Cup Series race in Chicago, ultimately placing 19th on race day. The result marked her best finish yet, improving on earlier starts this year—a 30th at Phoenix where she was caught in a crash, and a 32nd at Mexico. Legge’s Chicago finish was also notable as she became the first woman since Danica Patrick in 2017 to finish in the top 20 in a Cup Series race.
Impact of Chicago’s Qualifying Drama and What Follows
The Chicago weekend was supposed to offer Corey Heim a valuable learning experience in one of NASCAR’s most challenging events. Instead, he was left on the sidelines, with the incident serving as a powerful teaching moment. Harvick’s sharp critique reflects the intense expectations on young drivers entering marquee events with experienced teams like 23XI Racing. Failure to capitalize on opportunities, especially as an open car entry facing intense last-chance pressure, can stall a driver’s progress and affect future prospects.
Katherine Legge’s achievement highlighted the thin line between triumph and disappointment in NASCAR’s high-stakes environment. As the series moves forward, the lessons from Chicago’s qualifying ordeal will likely stay with both Heim and his competitors, shaping their strategies and resilience for the races to come.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What happened to Corey Heim?
A. In 2022, Heim kept racing with Venturini, participating in seven races. He achieved victories at Daytona and Kansas that year. After taking a break for three years, Heim came back to compete in ARCA in 2025, once again driving for Venturini.
