Corey Heim dominates at Gateway for fourth Truck Series win of 2024 season

Despite a nearly three-hour long rain delay, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series proceeded as normal on Saturday, with championship favorite Corey Heim leading 65 laps en route to his fourth victory of the season. 

Despite starting ninth in a race where it was hard to pass, Heim found the front and stayed there for the majority of Stage Three, pulling away on the final run despite a tire disadvantage to the likes of Layne Riggs and Chase Purdy, who, along with Matt Crafton, were out front when the final caution flew on lap 134. 

After those select few drivers pitted, Heim assumed the lead on the restart, promptly driving away from Ty Majeski. Majeski finished fourth in Saturday's race despite leading 43 laps and winning both Stage One and Stage Two. As has often been the case in 2024, however, Majeski just didn't have enough in the final stage to close the deal. 

For Heim, the victory is his second in a row at Gateway, as he won the 2022 race before missing the event in 2023 due to illness. 

With another dominating performance, Heim continues to catch the attention of the entire NASCAR world, including 23XI Racing co-owner Denny Hamlin, who will give Heim an opportunity in the NASCAR Cup Series at Nashville on June 23. Heim spoke about what it means to have Hamlin's vote of confidence. 

"A lot of people know that growing up, Denny was my idol," Heim explained. "To have him by my side as a supporter, and as a team owner here in a couple weeks, is super cool. It means the world to have grown up idolizing him, never knowing if I would make it to this level, but here I am, and I've got him as one of my best supporters right now."