A dramatic finish at North Wilkesboro Speedway saw Corey Heim’s dominant performance end in heartbreak on Saturday, sparking controversy in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin shared his candid thoughts on the incident involving Heim’s spin-out during the race’s critical moments.
Details of the Late-Race Incident That Changed the Outcome
Corey Heim controlled 162 of the 255 laps in the race, looking poised for victory before a fierce move by Layne Riggs in Turn 1 caused Heim to lose control and spin. This contact not only ended Heim’s chance to win but handed the victory to Chandler Smith, who is Riggs’ teammate at TRICON Garage. Heim’s reaction was immediate and angry, as he confronted Riggs on pit road afterward, calling the maneuver “sc*m racing,” highlighting the mounting tension with the playoffs underway.
Denny Hamlin Shares Perspective on Heim’s Spin-Out and Emotions
On his Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin described Riggs’ move as “ambitious,” but stopped short of labeling it excessively harsh. He said,
“I thought that it was an ambitious move by Layne. Was it really, really egregious? I did not think so.”
Hamlin recognized Heim’s justified frustration, explaining that the spin robbed Heim not only of a probable win but also a likely second-place finish.
“Did I think Heim had a reason to be pissed? I do, because not only did he not get an opportunity to you know race it out in turns three and four to the checkered, he got spun out and it turned from him potentially winning or finishing second to having a bad finish,”
Hamlin added.
Hamlin emphasized that Heim’s problems have stemmed more from tough racing circumstances and misfortune than from any lack of ability on the track. Supporting his 23XI Racing protégé, Hamlin said,
“I think that where the frustration comes from, you understand from Heim’s side, right? The kid is far more superior than his peers in performance right now.”
Frankly, if he was going up against better competition, he would win more races. He’s really just got taken out by circumstances, mechanicals, green light checkers or things like that. I think the frustration comes from there’s not an effort to actually try and pass anymore.
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Cup Series driver
Heim’s Recent Spotlight and 23XI Racing’s Commitment to Emerging Talent
Despite the setback at North Wilkesboro, Heim’s strong performances this season have kept him in the spotlight. Just last Sunday, he was a headline entrant in the NASCAR Cup Series AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway, driving for 23XI Racing. This team, co-owned by Hamlin and NBA legend Michael Jordan, continues to invest in rising stars like Heim, offering him the opportunity to showcase his skills on NASCAR’s premier stage.
The incident at North Wilkesboro underscores the intense competition and challenges facing emerging drivers like Heim as the playoff battle intensifies. Hamlin’s comments not only validate Heim’s frustration but also highlight the complexity of racing dynamics, where skill, ambition, and circumstance intertwine to shape a driver’s journey.
