Kevin Harvick on Corey Heim has become a trending conversation in NASCAR circles, with Harvick expressing that Heim’s performance in the lower series proves he is ready for a step up to the Cup Series. This sentiment emerged as Heim clinched his tenth win of the season in the Craftsman Truck Series, prompting discussions about when the Tricon Garage driver will secure a full-time spot at the highest level of stock car racing.
Corey Heim’s Dominance Forces Calls for Advancement
Corey Heim, representing Tricon Garage, recently reaffirmed his status as a standout in the Craftsman Truck Series by securing his 10th victory of the 2025 season. His win came after he battled back from serious damage to his truck, ultimately taking the checkered flag in overtime with a commanding margin over Brent Crews. By surpassing Greg Biffle’s 1999 record of nine Truck Series wins, Heim has firmly established himself among elite company in the series.
The remarkable nature of Heim’s performances has not gone unnoticed. Kevin Harvick, who made his own jump from Trucks to Cup and became a Cup Series champion in 2014, believes Heim’s prolonged stay in the Truck Series limits his potential. Speaking on this, Harvick stated,
“There’s guys like Corey Heim that are special,”
adding,
“I feel like he’s pigeon-holed into the Truck Series right now. He’s just out there destroying them because he’s so much better than them. If you put him in Daytona next year in the Cup car, he’s gonna be competitive and he’s gonna figure it out.”
– Kevin Harvick, Retired NASCAR Cup Series Champion
From ARCA Menards Success to Truck Series Mastery
Before his Truck Series exploits, Heim enjoyed an impressive run in the ARCA Menards Series. Driving for Venturini Motorsports—a renowned family outfit recently closing their doors after 43 successful seasons—Heim collected six wins and maintained an outstanding average finish during the 2021 season. Billy Venturini, reflecting on Heim’s trajectory, was quick to point out his unique qualities, describing him as “super special.”
That impression is widely shared by prominent voices within the sport. Billy Venturini further endorsed Harvick’s stance regarding Heim’s readiness, stating,
“I believe he’d win a Cup race as a rookie. That’s how strong I think he is. He’s unique…He’s ice cold.”
– Billy Venturini, Owner, Venturini Motorsports
Venturini Motorsports has a history of launching the careers of modern Cup Series stars, including Joey Logano and Christopher Bell. Heim’s ascension through their program and subsequent dominance in Trucks places him firmly in the conversation as the next breakout Cup-level talent.
Heim’s Early Tests in the Cup Series and Future Speculation
During the 2025 season, Heim was afforded limited Cup Series opportunities with 23XI Racing, making four starts and earning a noteworthy sixth-place finish at Bristol. Despite these promising results, his full campaign plans for 2026 remain uncertain. Motorsport insiders, including Jordan Bianchi, have speculated that a full-time Cup drive for Heim may come as late as 2027, even while rumors swirl about potential appearances across all three of NASCAR’s national series next season.
The combination of Heim’s relentless pursuit of excellence and his adaptability to different series has led to increased interest among prominent organizations and their sponsors, who are eager to see him progress to NASCAR’s highest tier.
Comparison with Established NASCAR Stars
Harvick did not hesitate to compare Heim’s preparation and race-day mindset to that of NASCAR’s current elite. He pointed out that in the current era of Next-Gen parity, where single-spec parts and evolving aerodynamics present constant challenges, the very best drivers succeed by leveraging preparation, strategy, and mental resilience. Harvick noted,
“That lines up with everything that I’ve watched, from the outside looking in…You’ve got the Joey Logano and the Denny Hamlin. Now, Ryan Blaney is doing pretty good, William Byron is doing pretty good, but they’ll never catch up to the experience side of things that those two guys have. There are those key guys that can go to a test and turn their season around…be able to dissect the car and put it in a path that’s better than what it was.”
– Kevin Harvick, Retired NASCAR Cup Series Champion
Denny Hamlin’s recent 60th career Cup Series win at Las Vegas, achieved under significant personal and professional challenges, is a prime example of the persistence required to excel at the top. According to many within the sport, including Billy Venturini, Heim shares this caliber of focus and adaptability, excelling not only in driving skills but also in the preparatory aspects of the sport. Venturini emphasized the importance of off-track work in today’s NASCAR, saying,
“The amount of research that the drivers do off-track now is insane. I think the very best one for how he preps using sim and everything else is Corey Heim. Corey is the best sim driver I’ve ever seen. I’ll go that far, and it translates, because he is super special.”
– Billy Venturini, Owner, Venturini Motorsports
Heim’s Unique Talent and the Road Ahead
Heim’s rise from humble beginnings through the ranks—culminating in his dominant Truck Series run—places him squarely in the lineage of resilient, focused drivers whose preparation off the track matches their aggression on it. His regular use of simulation tools and commitment to research are setting new standards among young drivers, making his skillset particularly suited for the ever-changing Cup Series environment.
The consensus among experts, including Kevin Harvick and Billy Venturini, is that Heim is poised for success at the Cup level. The question now turns to when sponsors and teams will fully back his promotion. As the 2026 NASCAR season approaches, the racing world is watching to see if Corey Heim will have a chance to showcase his talents in a full-time Cup Series seat, with many betting that his transition will become one of the sport’s most compelling stories to follow.
A lot of great drivers have come through @VenturiniMotor. Billy and Bill Venturini tell @KevinHarvick what makes Corey Heim so special. pic.twitter.com/2GigN4Ibyh
— HarvickHappyHour (@HarvickHappyPod) October 16, 2025
