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Corey Heim's dominance in NASCAR Truck Series something to behold
When Corey Heim took the checkered flag at World Wide Technology Raceway on June 1, it marked his fourth win in the first 12 races of the 2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season. With 11 races remaining in the season, Heim should be in the running to win every one.
Of course, it's extremely unlikely — some would even say impossible — for Heim to win all 11 races to close out the season. If he were to accomplish the feat, it would give him 15 wins in 23 races, easily one of the best seasons in any division in NASCAR history.
While Heim won't win 15 races this season, his dominance is something to behold.
In 2023, Heim raced consistently well, racking up 19 top-10 finishes, but he only won two races, a disappointing mark for a team that was clearly one of the best in the series.
Heim's next opportunity to earn a Truck Series trophy will come at the Nashville Superspeedway on June 28.
In 2023, Heim led 57 laps at Nashville before finishing fourth. A similar performance could yield his fifth victory in a season where he has improved his race craft and ability to close out races.
On July 12, the Truck Series will race on "The Tricky Triangle" of Pocono Raceway, where Heim led 27 laps en route to a runner-up finish in 2023. Heim lost the race on the last lap because of a crafty maneuver by Kyle Busch, and with Busch not eligible to run any more Truck Series races in 2024, Pocono could be another race in which Heim keeps his foot on the neck of the field.
For the remainder of this season, Heim will also have a chance to win in races he came up just short in last season.
In 2023, Heim finished inside the top-10 in 14 of his final 15 Truck Series starts. He led 18 laps at the Indianapolis Raceway Park, 35 at the Milwaukee Mile, 40 at Kansas — a track he won earlier in 2024 — 57 at Homestead-Miami, and 47 in the Championship Race at Phoenix. He will probably be a contender again in those races this season.
Regardless of how 2024 turns out in the Truck Series, Heim seems to have a future in the Cup Series.
It'll be fun to see how many trophies he can earn along his journey to a Truck Series title he seems destined to win.
More must-reads:
- Kings of the bullring: NASCAR'S five best short-track drivers
- Former NASCAR champion expected to retire at end of 2024
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Was Kyle Petty Related to Legendary Musician Tom Petty?
The name ‘Petty’ commands respect and love unlike any other. One of the first people whom people think of when it is mentioned is the legendary Richard “King” Petty. And then there is Tom Petty, an iconic singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Somewhere down this line comes Richard’s son, Kyle Petty. It is Kyle’s strong interest in music that brings up the question of whether he is related to Tom. Music has always been a comfort zone for Kyle, and he almost made a career out of it before racing caught his eye. An interesting backstory is that he received his first guitar from a traveling preacher at a race track when he was 12 years old. He once narrated, “I took lessons from a guy who taught me A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and A minor, B minor, C minor, and all that, and then he told me I needed to go learn them all, that he couldn’t teach anymore. So I just learned like 20 million other people by listening to others play.” He began writing his own music soon after and found influence in the likes of Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard. Somewhere in the adrenaline rush that racing offered, he lost out on the chance to become a big name in the music world. But the guitar has been a constant presence by his side as his favorite creative outlet. With all this in mind, it would not be a surprise if he were somehow related to Tom. But he is not. Tom confirmed the same in a 2000 interview. He’d been directly asked if he was related to Richard Petty. The answer came, “I don’t think I am, though he looks a great deal like my dad.” Tom was the leader and the frontman of the rock bands Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and Mudcrutch. He was also a member of the Traveling Wilburys. Notably, he sold over 80 million records across the globe throughout his career. This makes him one of the best-selling artists of all time. Petty and the Heartbreakers were given places in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002. Unfortunately, he passed away in 2017, at the age of 66, due to an accidental drug overdose. Although he did not have a strong interest in NASCAR or any other form of motorsports, his music often has a cultural overlap with racing.
Patriots stars react to HC Mike Vrabel getting bloodied while breaking up camp fight
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel likely won the respect of his team Wednesday. However, he may have needed a few stitches afterward. The Patriots hosted a joint practice with the Washington Commanders at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. New England rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson took a Commanders pass-rusher to the ground in pass protection, resulting in a scuffle. Vrabel then jumped in to help stop the fight. His face was bloodied after both teams calmed down. Patriots second-year quarterback Drake Maye loved that his coach was willing to step in. In a news conference after practice, the 22-year-old passer said that's the mentality the team needs. "That's what we're trying to build," he said. "The intensity, bringing it every day, taking no cr-p when we're out on the field. But also, it comes a time where, with our guys offensively, and getting over there and getting some tussles and kind of having some penalties, and extra after the whistle, can get us in trouble. But for mentality, I like it. I mean, I almost got in there, but I think maybe another day, maybe." His new coach doesn't want the QB to get in any brawls. The Patriots are banking on the third overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft being the franchise's future. Plus, he doesn't need to worry about the Patriots' intensity with Vrabel in the building. New England wide receiver DeMario Douglas noted the former linebacker didn't seem rattled after breaking up the scrap. "I said, 'Coach, what's wrong with you?' And he said, 'You should have seen the other guy,'" Douglas told the media while smiling. "I just saw the scar on his face but didn't know what was happening." Vrabel likely sent two messages at Wednesday's practice. He won't tolerate an undisciplined team but also has his players' backs. That could go a long way for a Patriots squad aiming to improve after a 4-13 season.
Steelers’ Coaching Staff Can't Hide The Fact Anymore That They Truly Feel They’ve Hit A Home Run With Their Rookie
The Pittsburgh Steelers gave up 299 rushing yards to their arch-nemesis, the Baltimore Ravens, in the Wild Card Round of the 2024 playoffs. Slowing down Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson was never going to be easy, but Pittsburgh’s defense was gashed from start to finish. It was an embarrassing showing that made it clear major changes were needed. The Steelers immediately began planning how to fix the issue heading into the offseason. With the 21st overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Steelers selected defensive lineman Derrick Harmon, a physical and explosive presence up front. Harmon was brought in to restore toughness, speed, and discipline to the heart of Pittsburgh’s defense. Since his arrival, he has quickly impressed the coaching staff throughout training camp and other offseason activities, showing signs that he could be exactly what the Steelers need. Steelers insider reports have added even more excitement around the rookie. During an appearance on WDVE 102.5 on Wednesday morning, one insider named Gerry Dulac spoke about how impactful Harmon has been, both on the field and in the locker room. The Steelers were humiliated in their playoff loss to Baltimore, but with Harmon in the fold, they believe they’re on track to make sure it doesn’t happen again. "I'll tell you who's buzzing about it quietly and internally, are those coaches," Dulac said. "They love this guy. [From] what they have seen, they're thinking this pick is a home run. Now, we'll see how it plays out, but [from] what they've seen so far, they think he's terrific, and gonna be terrific." It’s not just coaches who are noticing Harmon’s impact either. Teammates have been raving about the way he’s carrying himself, especially for a rookie walking into a veteran-heavy locker room. He’s been described as humble, but intense. Quiet, but physical. It’s that mix of work ethic and natural ability that has people around the team believing the Steelers might’ve nailed this pick. Harmon’s explosiveness off the line has stood out in nearly every practice session. He’s consistently disrupting plays in the backfield, and he’s already shown he can hold his own against the Steelers’ top offensive linemen. Harmon is going to be called on as a rookie to be a starter right away. It's not an easy task for any rookie but the Steelers are just that confident in his skills. What’s also impressive is how fast he’s picked up the playbook. For a position that demands a lot of mental processing, especially in the Steelers’ complex scheme, Harmon hasn’t looked overwhelmed. In fact, he’s been praised for asking the right questions, staying late in meetings, and learning from guys like Cam Heyward and Keeanu Benton. He’s clearly not just relying on his physical tools. Of course, it’s still early, and everything changes when the pads come on in real games. But if training camp is any indication, the Steelers’ front office may have landed a game-changer in Harmon. And after that nightmare in Baltimore, they’ll take all the help they can get. Steelers’ Defense Expected To Be Elite The Steelers defense is expected to be one of the NFL’s best in 2025. But if they want to be the best, Harmon’s impact will be key. Lining up next to Benton and Heyward, he could help anchor a dominant front. For that to happen, Harmon will need to play at a high level as a rookie. That’s a big task, but the coaching staff believes he’s more than capable. He’s shown the strength, quickness, and awareness they were hoping for. The Steelers didn’t draft him to sit. They want him to contribute now. If Harmon does that, this defense should be in very good hands for the 2025 season.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones gets harsh reality check over Micah Parsons drama
ESPN NFL analyst Louis Riddick gave Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones a reality check on Wednesday. During the most recent edition of "Get Up," Riddick blasted the longtime Cowboys owner's handling of edge-rusher Micah Parsons' contract negotiations. It's the second time in as many weeks that Jones has received an unkind reality check over the Parsons situation. While the two-time first-team All-Pro has been extension-eligible since the end of the 2023 regular season, the Cowboys have strung along talks, pushing Parsons to request a trade on Aug. 1. Riddick blasted the approach, suggesting it's time Jones stops living in the past. "He may say, 'I did this kind of thing with Emmitt [Smith], we still won Super Bowls,'" Riddick said. In 1993, the Pro Football Hall of Fame running back missed the first two games of the regular season due to a contract dispute. He eventually signed a four-year, $13.6 million contract on the Thursday before Week 3 and after the Cowboys had started 0-2. Smith led the league in rushing that season, and the Cowboys would go on to win their second consecutive Lombardi Trophy. Riddick made it clear to emphasize that the situation is far different from the one with Parsons. "You had Troy [Aikman], you had Michael [Irvin] ... You had an all-time team. They don't have an all-time team right now," Riddick said. "He's the one that says all the time, 'I'm all in... My clock is ticking. I need to win another championship.' This isn't the blueprint for it," the former NFL defensive back added. "You don't have that team anymore, but you're conducting business like it's back in 1993 again, and it's not," he finished. The Cowboys haven't won a Super Bowl since 1995. Over the past 29 seasons, Dallas has more losing seasons (nine) than postseason wins (five). The Cowboys are often more relevant for their off-field drama than on-field accomplishments, and that's no different this season. It's a song and dance Jones has perfected, and it's one preventing Dallas from maximizing its future.
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