Corey Heim, a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series competitor, experienced a challenging moment during his second Cup Series start at Nashville Superspeedway in the 2025 season, after contact with Brad Keselowski led to a DNF on June 1. The Brad Keselowski and Corey Heim Nashville incident occurred during the 399-mile race when Heim attempted a risky pass, resulting in a spin and a race-ending crash.
Details of the Collision Between Heim and Keselowski at Nashville
Heim, who drives full-time for Tricon Garages in the Truck Series behind the wheel of the #11 Toyota, entered the Cup Series in a part-time role this season, including his move to 23XI Racing to pilot the #50 Toyota Camry XSE at Nashville Superspeedway. For this race, Heim was driving the #67 Toyota, marking his second start of 2025.
During lap 132 of the 300-lap event, Heim sought to overtake Brad Keselowski, who drives the #6 Ford for RFK Racing, for 12th position. As Heim exited Turn 4, he pushed Keselowski into the outside wall after running out of space. Heim then spun into the outside barriers, ending his participation in the race.
Reflecting on the incident, Heim said,
“I’m pretty sure I just kind of cleared myself across the nose of the 6 (Brad Keselowski). A little bit too desperate. We were moving forward really quickly, and I had a lot of confidence in my Chief’s Camry and thought I could clear him by the time I got to the wall, and just used too much race track, so sorry to those guys. It looks like I kind of ruined his day, too, and never want to do that.”
—Corey Heim, NASCAR driver
Heim acknowledged the tough result but remained optimistic about his performance, stating,
“Just can’t say enough about the speed we had. I think if we didn’t start in 33rd, we could have been battling in the top 10. A lot of positives just screwed it up on my part. Huge thank you to 23XI, Toyota, and the Chiefs for coming on board. Definitely had a lot of fun, and looking forward to doing it again.”
—Corey Heim, NASCAR driver
Ultimately, Heim’s race ended with a 37th-place finish, just above Noah Gragson, another driver who did not finish the race and placed 38th.
Corey Heim Reflects on Challenges Amid a Strong 2025 Season
Despite the setback at Nashville, Corey Heim has shown impressive form in the Truck Series this year, dominating much of the competition. However, he acknowledges that unforeseen events have prevented him from maximizing his potential in some races.
He summarized the situation:
“I feel like we’ve had a lot of things that have taken us out of various races. Most of it being circumstantial like the engine issue at Homestead or getting spun last week. It’s been a bunch of things.”
—Corey Heim, NASCAR driver
Currently leading the Truck Series standings with 566 points, Heim’s 2025 campaign includes four wins, 10 top-10 finishes, and eight top-five results, along with four pole positions across 12 starts.
The Implications of Heim’s Nashville Incident and Outlook
The crash at Nashville Superspeedway highlights the intense competition and fine margins in NASCAR’s Cup and Truck Series. Heim’s eagerness to capitalize on his momentum led to an aggressive move that did not pay off, showing the risks drivers undertake when challenging seasoned veterans like Brad Keselowski.
Looking ahead, Heim’s acknowledgment of the mistakes and his evident speed suggest a determined effort to rebound and contend strongly in future races. His strong Truck Series performance and growing Cup Series experience position him as a promising talent to watch this season.
