Corey Heim has overtaken the Kyle Busch Truck Series record for youngest driver to reach 14 wins, making history in the NASCAR Truck Series while battling intense physical challenges on the track. Heim, who leads the current standings, shed light on a grueling sacrifice he endured behind the wheel that defined the early adversity of his career.
A Challenging Start Fills the Early Chapters
At just 23 years old, Corey Heim has become a standout in the NASCAR Truck Series, steadily climbing the ranks after securing fourth- and second-place finishes in his previous two seasons. Yet his ascent hasn’t come without a price. Heim recently revealed that his toughest moment wasn’t due to heat or illness, but from driving in extreme physical discomfort.
During a candid segment for The Athletic with Jeff Gluck, Heim recalled his most miserable race, which took place at Watkins Glen in 2021. That year, he filled in for Kyle Busch at Kyle Busch Motorsports, taking the wheel of the #51 Toyota. The seat, molded to Busch’s distinctive, compact style, was far from ideal for Heim’s own needs as a driver.
“In 2021 at Watkins Glen, I had to run Kyle Busch’s shell (for the seat at Kyle Busch Motorsports). Kyle sits really strangely; he’s very low, and his legs are like cramped up into his chest.”
—Corey Heim, Driver
“That’s like the opposite of what I need, because I get a lot of hip cramping, so I need my legs to be really straight out so they’re not clenched the whole time. It was my second-ever Truck start, and I was so uncomfortable.”
—Corey Heim, Driver
“By the middle of Stage 2, my hips cramped up on me. I literally couldn’t walk when I got out of the truck. My guys had to carry me by both shoulders back to the hauler, and they were giving me cramping pills,”
—Corey Heim, Driver
Despite starting in 16th place for his second-ever Truck Series start, Heim struggled to navigate the discomfort from Busch’s seating setup. He finished 18th after being overtaken by the pain, needing assistance from his team to exit the truck post-race. The experience taught him a difficult lesson on the physical demands and sacrifices required to compete in professional racing.
Surpassing Kyle Busch’s Record with Texas Triumph
Heim’s struggle at Watkins Glen did not stall his progression. Bouncing back in 2022, he scored wins at Atlanta and Gateway and wrapped up the season in 14th place, then transitioned to Tricon Garage’s No. 11 ride. This set the stage for a remarkable campaign in the following year.
Showing resilience and consistency, Heim has racked up major accomplishments this season. He returned to Victory Lane five times and secured only two finishes outside the top 20. Most notably, at Texas, he achieved his 14th career win, becoming the youngest driver to reach the milestone in series history—beating the mark previously set by Kyle Busch, who hit the milestone at age 24, while Heim did it at 22.
“Corey Heim wins at Texas, his 14th career win. At 22 years old, he beats Kyle Busch (24y) to be the youngest driver to win 14 races in Truck Series history.”
—NASCAR Insights, Reporting Outlet
Heim’s 2025 numbers underscore his meteoric rise: in fifteen starts, he has claimed three pole positions, nine top-five results, and eleven top-10 finishes. The Texas victory not only set a new benchmark for youthful achievement but also cemented Heim’s reputation as a formidable challenger in the Truck Series.
The Road Ahead for Heim and the Truck Series
Corey Heim’s remarkable feat in surpassing the Kyle Busch Truck Series record reflects both his on-track determination and his willingness to persevere through immense discomfort. His journey, intertwined with organizations such as Tricon Garage and Kyle Busch Motorsports, highlights how adaptability and mental resilience remain crucial in professional racing. With Heim continuing to push boundaries in the Truck Series, fans, competitors, and key figures like Jeff Gluck will be watching his evolving legacy, as he carves out his own place among NASCAR’s rising stars.
