Corey Heim, a promising young driver nurtured by NASCAR star and 23XI Racing co-owner Denny Hamlin, clinched his second regular season championship in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2025. Despite his dominant performance this season, Heim expressed feelings of disappointment following the championship race at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, marking a complex chapter in his rising career.
At just 23 years old, Heim has emerged as a key figure within the Toyota development pipeline, thanks largely to Hamlin’s mentorship and role as a Toyota ambassador. Heim drives the No. 11 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro for TRICON Garage and has won multiple races this season, including high-profile victories at Daytona, Las Vegas, Texas, Charlotte, and Lime Rock. These successes, coupled with a record-setting 14 stage wins, helped him establish a comfortable lead in the regular season standings heading into the final races.
Disappointment Despite a Strong Race at Indianapolis Raceway Park
During the TSport 200 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, Heim was awarded pole position after qualifying was canceled due to rain, reinforcing his strong championship standing. He began the race by leading the opening segment and maintained an early advantage by controlling 20 laps. However, Layne Riggs and Stewart Friesen later dominated the middle and final stages of the race, with Riggs ultimately securing the win after leading 160 laps.
Although Heim finished fourth—his best-ever result at this track—he admitted in a post-race Fox interview that he never felt like he had a genuine shot at victory during the race.
“Yeah, it feels really good [to win the championship]. Just a testament to how good we’ve been this year. You know, I feel like this is probably the first race where I haven’t had a legitimate shot to compete for the win. So that really says something, and you know, a little bit disappointing to come here. I was actually excited to come here and try to improve.”
—Corey Heim, Driver
Heim recognized that Indy Raceway has never been his strongest track, but he was proud of his team’s persistent effort and felt the late-race restart that elevated him to fourth was a crucial opportunity.
“I’ve never felt like this track has been my best, but unfortunately, just kind of roamed around the outside of the top five all day and had a really good restart there at the end to get us a track position to finish fourth. But yeah, just really proud of all the guys at TRICON Garage. I mean, they’ve been lights out this year.”
—Corey Heim, Driver
Corey Heim’s Ascent and Past Challenges Shape His Determination
This championship marks Heim’s second regular season title in three years, his first coming in 2023 during his rookie full-time season. In that inaugural year, he already made history by clinching the championship despite missing a race. However, 2023 also included a controversial moment where Heim’s collision with fellow contender Carson Hocevar ended both their championship hopes, something Heim is determined to redeem with a full title victory in 2025.
Winning the 2025 championship is crucial for Heim’s prospects, especially considering Denny Hamlin’s recent contract renewal with Joe Gibbs Racing. Heim’s pathway to a full-time NASCAR Cup Series seat most likely lies with 23XI Racing, the Toyota-affiliated team co-owned by Hamlin. As part of his development program, Heim is slated for select Cup Series starts in 2025, but a full-time role depends on how Hamlin and team management evaluate his progress.
Denny Hamlin’s Role as a Mentor and Team Leader
Denny Hamlin, a veteran NASCAR Cup Series driver and influential team co-owner, continues to shape NASCAR’s future talent through his dual roles on and off the track. His efforts in driver development are exemplified by his commitment to young racers like Corey Heim. Hamlin’s presence extends beyond competition, as his leadership influences Toyota’s entire racing ecosystem, linking Joe Gibbs Racing’s prominence with 23XI Racing’s driver pipeline.
The Dynamics and Challenges of Racing Against Teammates
Recently, Hamlin secured a win at the Autotrader EchoPark 400 in Dover, a victory earned amidst intense competition involving multiple Joe Gibbs Racing teammates. Christopher Bell and Chase Briscoe, both with strong finishes, were notable contenders in the race’s closing stages. Hamlin offered insight into the complex pressures drivers face while racing teammates under high-stakes conditions, emphasizing the need for balance and respect.
Certainly, as a driver, [racing your teammate for the win] puts you in a more difficult spot. When you have to go see that person the next day in a meeting, you certainly think about it. You think about what the repercussions are if we take each other out, and another team wins. You certainly then have to answer to the boss, not just the other person. So it does (put you in a tough spot). It puts your teammates in a tough spot when they’re challenging for a win. But, I think there’s ways that you can do it without jeopardizing each other, that’s also maybe a little aggressive. I think that everyone nowadays is aggressive for race wins. It’s just a tough balance when your teammates.
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver and 23XI Racing Co-owner
Chase Briscoe, in his first year with Joe Gibbs Racing, acknowledged Hamlin’s leadership and the unique competitive environment within the team, suggesting that the dynamics could be much more aggressive without the teammate relationship.
“Yeah, I mean, if it wasn’t a teammate, I definitely could have been a little more aggressive.”
—Chase Briscoe, NASCAR Driver
Looking Ahead: Hamlin’s Pursuit of Long-Awaited Milestones
Moving forward, Hamlin is focused on accumulating more victories for himself and Joe Gibbs Racing, with special attention on triumphing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. His winless streak at Indy continues, with the Brickyard 400 as the only major NASCAR crown jewel that has eluded him. Success there would significantly enhance Hamlin’s legacy and could positively influence the future opportunities for drivers within his team, including Corey Heim.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How did Denny Hamlin get so rich?
A. Starting his full-time Cup Series career in 2006 with Joe Gibbs Racing, Hamlin has achieved an impressive record. He has won 51 Cup Series races and claimed victory in the Daytona 500 three times (2016, 2019, 2020), earning a substantial income throughout his career.
Q. Did Denny Hamlin and Jordan Fish get married?
A. Denny Hamlin is set to marry Jordan Fish. Their first meeting didn’t go well, but things improved the second time, and they started dating in 2007. Despite facing some challenges, they have stayed close.
Q. How is Denny Hamlin so rich?
A. How Denny Hamlin Built His $65M Net Worth: He earned over $100 million from NASCAR contracts and prize money. FedEx, Jordan Brand, and Toyota sponsor him with multi-million dollar deals. He also co-owns 23XI Racing, a team now worth over $100 million.