Corey Heim Snags Daytona 500 Start with Stout Qualifying Run
By David Morgan, Associate Editor
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – They knew Corey Heim was here.
Leading into a season in which the defending NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion will be attempting a dozen starts in the No. 67 23XI Racing Toyota, Heim kicked things off on the right foot by being the fastest of the Open cars and the only one of them to transfer on to the second round with a shot at the pole in the Daytona 500.
Heim would eventually wind up fifth on the timing sheet with a lap of 49.147 seconds, more than enough to secure a spot in the field for the 68th running of the Great American Race.
“If you told me that at the beginning of the day, I’d be like, Man, that’s impressive,” said Heim. “I had no intention of making the second round. I had faith, but just realistically looking at the last couple races, we’re probably going to be in this area of the field, we’re hoping and praying that the other open cars are below us.
“Even looking at practice speeds. Coming down here I was open to any avenue of kind of where we were going to be speed-wise. Even looking at our practice speeds, man, it’s going to be really tight. Guys that were evidently faster than our single car speed. At the end of the day, you have to roll through tech, which is going to change things. People are going to change their setups for qualifying and whatnot.
“Still had faith and still believed that we could make it in. Sure enough, we made it in by a mile. That’s a pretty cool feeling.”
With his spot in the field secure, Heim will now roll into Thursday’s Duels without the stress of having to make the starting grid and can instead learn what he needs to put himself in contention on Sunday.
“Definitely switches my mindset a little bit,” Heim said. “I think originally it was of course going to be if I wasn’t locked in, we’re going to go for it, race our tails off until the checkered flag falls.
“I still feel like it’s going to be important to do well. I feel like our head space is a little different not racing for stage points. I think some guys maybe want to capitalize on that. Of course, that’s not really anything we’re prioritizing.
“Yeah, just go out and learn, try to get used to the brake pedal. These guys are a little different coming to pit road, they rattle rougher, which promotes wheel hop and lockup. Stuff like that, stuff I need to get used to as an inexperienced driver. Obviously, I don’t want to turn the car up, but I’m still going to go race for it.”
Heim will start third in the first of the two Duel races, scheduled for 7:00 pm ET on FOX Sports 1.
