Corey Heim was involved in a significant crash with Brad Keselowski during the 132nd lap of the Cracker Barrel 400 at Nashville Superspeedway, prematurely ending both drivers’ races. The incident, which unfolded during Heim’s second start of the 2025 NASCAR season, prompted him to issue a sincere apology to Keselowski, taking full responsibility for the collision that derailed their chances on the track.
The Nashville Collision and Heim’s Admission of Fault
Starting 33rd at Nashville, Corey Heim had been steadily improving positions throughout the race, fighting his way toward a 12th-place finish and possibly breaking into the top 10 before the crash. On lap 132, while attempting an overtaking maneuver, Heim collided with Brad Keselowski, causing both drivers to exit the race early. Reflecting on the moment, Heim described the move as overly aggressive and “too desperate.”
I’m pretty sure I just kind of cleared myself across the nose of (Brad Keselowski). A little bit too desperate.
—Corey Heim, NASCAR Driver
Despite his confidence driving the No. 67 Toyota Camry, Heim acknowledged misjudging the space needed to safely pass Keselowski, which ultimately resulted in the wreck. In explaining the incident, he noted that while he believed he could clear Keselowski and use the racetrack fully, he miscalculated the move, causing damage to both cars and their races.
We were moving forward really quick and I had a lot of confidence in my Camry and thought I could clear him by the time I got to the wall, and just used too much racetrack, 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’s Performance Highlights Despite the Setback
Although the Nashville crash overshadowed his race, Heim found positives to take away from the weekend’s performance. Starting deep in the field at 33rd, Heim impressively gained over 11 positions before the collision. He praised the speed of his No. 67 Camry and believed the team had strong potential for a top-10 finish if not for the incident.
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. Definitely had a lot of fun, and looking forward to doing again.
—Corey Heim, NASCAR Driver
Heim’s candidness in accepting fault and recognizing areas for growth highlights his maturity as a young driver, despite the disappointment of an early exit. The 22-year-old expressed gratitude toward his team and remains hopeful about future opportunities to demonstrate his capabilities in NASCAR.
The Broader Impact on Heim’s Season and Career Prospects
This Nashville crash serves as a critical learning experience for Heim early in his NASCAR journey. While it brought frustration, it also illustrated his competitive spirit and willingness to improve. His apology to Keselowski and admission of overstepping reveal a level of responsibility that may bode well for his development in racing.
As Heim continues in the 2025 season, the focus will be on minimizing risky maneuvers and capitalizing on the speed his team provides. With the support of 23XI Racing and Toyota, Heim aims to build consistency and avoid incidents that hinder his progress. The incident underscores the intensity of competition on tracks like Nashville Superspeedway and serves as a reminder of how split-second decisions impact race outcomes and driver relationships.
Brad Keselowski, a veteran driver, was one of the affected parties in this collision, and Heim’s prompt apology could help maintain professional respect between the two on-track competitors as the season unfolds.
