The latest NASCAR Truck Series event at Nashville saw Corey Heim and Layne Riggs continue their ongoing rivalry as they battled fiercely on the track. Despite their intense competition, both Heim and Riggs ultimately fell short, with Rajah Caruth of Spire Motorsports holding off their advances and securing the win late in the race.
The tension between Heim and Riggs dates back to their days in Late Model racing, and this season those clashes have escalated. A notable turning point came earlier when Riggs attempted to overtake Heim for the lead at North Wilkesboro, resulting in Riggs causing a wreck that took Heim out of contention. Since then, their interactions have remained far from cordial, with several verbal confrontations adding to the competitive heat.
Corey Heim’s Sarcastic Remark Highlights Rivalry
Following the Nashville race, Heim was asked on pit road about his recent duel with Riggs. He responded with sarcastic praise regarding a seemingly clean contest between the two. His comments hinted at a long history of aggressive moves from Riggs during their encounters.
I mean, I think that’s a standard, to be honest with you,
Heim said, referring to the race with the truck No. 34.
I think it’s the standard, not cleaning someone out when you’re next to them. So, it’s nice to see that he’s improving and not wrecking people. I think it’s the first time in four weeks like four weeks he hasn’t tried to wreck someone in the last lap. So, it’s good. Yeah, good, happy for him. For sure.
—Corey Heim, NASCAR Truck Series Driver
These remarks underscore the ongoing friction and suggest Heim remains cautious but willing to acknowledge a minor improvement in Riggs’ racing approach, at least for this race.
Heim Shows Speed But Falls Short Against Caruth
During practice, Heim expressed confidence in his truck, which he described as the best he’s had in quite some time. Demonstrating strong performance, he posted the fastest laps and superior averages over multiple runs. Despite this, Heim was unable to convert this speed advantage into a victory.
With fewer than 10 laps remaining, Heim made a decisive attempt to pass Caruth for the lead. However, Caruth maintained control, and Heim’s late charge, complicated by the ongoing contest with Riggs, was unsuccessful. Pit stop execution also played a role, as Caruth’s team outperformed Heim’s crew during critical moments, preventing Heim from mounting an effective final push.
Repeated Challenges Prevent Heim’s Pole-to-Win Success
This race marked the fourth time in 2025 that Corey Heim started from the pole position but failed to secure the win. Twice this season, he earned pole spots through his own qualifying efforts, and on two other occasions via metric setups. However, his last victory from the pole position dates back to Mid-Ohio in 2023.
While Heim has been dominant this season—leading over 800 laps—he has faced challenges converting leads into wins, in part due to strong competition and operational hurdles such as pit stops. With minimal race cautions limiting restart opportunities, maintaining track position was crucial, and ultimately Caruth’s crew’s precision gave him an edge.
Implications for the NASCAR Truck Series Championship
Despite setbacks, Corey Heim remains a top contender for the NASCAR Truck Series championship. His speed and consistency have established him as a favorite throughout the season. The rivalry with Layne Riggs has added an intense subplot to the competition, highlighting not only on-track battles but also psychological warfare through verbal exchanges.
As Heim reflects on a close loss in Nashville, his resilience suggests he is likely to bounce back strongly in the upcoming events. Fans and analysts expect him to refine his strategy, possibly securing commanding wins in the near future while continuing to navigate the heated competition from rivals like Riggs and Caruth.