Corey Heim's talent is undeniable, but is he being held back? NASCAR legend Kevin Harvick believes Corey Heim, despite dominating the Craftsman Truck Series, is being unfairly 'pigeon-holed' and possesses the skill to compete, and even win, at the Cup Series level right now. Is Harvick right, or is Heim's current trajectory the best path for his long-term success?
Just two weekends ago, Heim, driving for Tricon Garage, secured his tenth Truck Series victory of the season. This wasn't just another win; he battled through significant damage to his No. 11 truck, ultimately overtaking Brent Crews by a decisive 1.338 seconds in overtime. Heim's performance even surpassed Greg Biffle's 1999 record of nine Truck Series wins, a truly remarkable feat. And Kevin Harvick, a seasoned veteran with a keen eye for talent, sees a driver with immense potential being limited by his current circumstances. But here's where it gets controversial: Is it truly detrimental to spend time honing your skills in a lower series, or is the immediate jump to Cup the only way to prove your worth?
Kevin Harvick, who himself retired from full-time racing in 2023, understands the value of experience across different series. Harvick’s own NASCAR career began in the Truck Series. However, he achieved his greatest success after moving to the Cup Series in February 2001, eventually capturing the 2014 Cup Series championship. This experience is why Harvick believes Heim has spent too long in the Truck Series, a sentiment echoed by many within the racing community.
Before dominating the Truck Series, Corey Heim made a name for himself in the ARCA Menards Series. In the 2021 season, he racked up an impressive six wins and maintained an average finish of 3.1. His ascent in ARCA was primarily under the banner of Venturini Motorsports, a family-owned team with a rich history, recently announcing its closure after 43 remarkable seasons. Venturini Motorsports has long been recognized as a breeding ground for future NASCAR stars. Alumni include Cup Series champions like Joey Logano and Toyota's Christopher Bell. Billy Venturini, a key figure in the team, singled out Corey Heim for special praise: "He is super special," Venturini stated.
And Kevin Harvick wholeheartedly agrees. Heim has been a consistent presence in the Truck Series since 2023, and Harvick believes it’s time for him to move up. "There’s guys like Corey Heim that are special," Harvick said on his "Kevin Harvick's Happy Hour" podcast. "I feel like he’s pigeon-holed into the Truck Series right now. He’s just out there destroying them because he’s so much better than them. If you put him in Daytona next year in the Cup car, he’s gonna be competitive and he’s gonna figure it out.” But this is the part most people miss: Cup success isn't just about raw talent; it's also about navigating the complex politics, sponsorship deals, and team dynamics that define the highest level of NASCAR.
Corey Heim has already gained some Cup Series experience, making four starts this year with 23XI Racing. He even secured a top-ten finish, coming in 6th at Bristol. However, his plans for 2026 remain uncertain, with speculation ranging from a season split across all three national series to a full-time Cup Series debut. Jordan Bianchi has even suggested that Heim might not make the full-time jump to Cup until 2027. Billy Venturini is even more bullish on Heim's potential, stating, "I believe he'd win a Cup race as a rookie. That's how strong I think he is. He's unique…He's ice cold." Is this optimism justified, or are expectations being set too high?
Beyond advocating for Heim's promotion, Kevin Harvick has drawn comparisons between him and some of the Cup Series' elite drivers.
In an era defined by the Next-Gen car and its emphasis on parity, it's becoming increasingly difficult to differentiate drivers based solely on talent. The single-spec parts and aerodynamic challenges often limit passing opportunities, forcing drivers to rely on strategies like fuel mileage conservation. However, some drivers still manage to distinguish themselves through sheer determination and skill. Denny Hamlin, for example, recently celebrated his 60th career victory at Las Vegas. This win, his sixth of the season, came amidst various challenges, including a NASCAR lawsuit and adapting to a new crew chief. Yet Hamlin persevered and excelled.
According to Billy Venturini, Corey Heim possesses that same rare quality – the ability to excel regardless of the circumstances. Heim comes from a relatively humble background, yet he consistently outperforms his competitors in terms of race preparation. "The amount of research that the drivers do off-track now is insane. I think the very best one for how he preps using sim and everything else is Corey Heim. Corey is the best sim driver I’ve ever seen. I’ll go that far, and it translates, because he is super special," Billy said. This highlights the importance of simulation and data analysis in modern racing, a skill that Heim seems to have mastered.
Kevin Harvick echoed this sentiment, drawing parallels between Heim and established Cup Series stars: "That lines up with everything that I’ve watched, from the outside looking in…You’ve got the Joey Logano and the Denny Hamlin. Now, Ryan Blaney is doing pretty good, William Byron is doing pretty good, but they’ll never catch up to the experience side of things that those two guys have. There are those key guys that can go to a test and turn their season around…be able to dissect the car and put it in a path that’s better than what it was." This illustrates the crucial role of experience and the ability to diagnose and improve a car's performance.
Corey Heim's undeniable talent and consistent success are clearly attracting attention. The question now is: Will sponsors step up to provide him with the opportunities he needs to reach the next level? And ultimately, do you think Harvick is right? Is Heim ready for Cup now, or would more time in the Truck Series ultimately benefit his career? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
