NASCAR fines Corey Heim $12,500, docks him 25 points for actions in Truck Series finale
NASCAR is punishing Corey Heim for his actions during the Craftsman Truck Series finale at Phoenix last Friday.
Hocevar spun Heim with plenty of time remaining at Phoenix, effectively ending the former’s chance at the Truck Series title. While Hocevar felt terrible about it, that didn’t stop drivers and fans alike from panning the move, which he claimed was an accident.
The story doesn’t end there, of course. Heim retaliated as the race was coming to a close, wrecking Hocevar as he attempted to pass him up top, while the duo was back in the pack.
The decision had implications on fellow Truck Series contenders Grant Enfinger and Ben Rhodes, as it looked like the former was headed to winning his first title.
Chaos would ensure in the laps that followed, but it was all kicked off by Heim’s frustration. NASCAR isn’t happy with the young wheelman, and announced a punishment for Heim on Wednesday.
“NASCAR has fined Corey Heim $12,500 and docked him 25 points for his actions during the truck race Friday night,” FOX’s Bob Pockrass posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The money stings, but the points are all but a shallow gesture. It was championship or bust for Heim and his team.
Moreover, not only did he damage his own truck with his decision, Heim totaled Hocevar’s truck and Taylor Gray was also wrecked in the incident.
Still, Heim won’t say he wrecked Hocevar on purpose. He’s sticking to his story of simply spinning out when Hocevar was in the wrong place at the right time.
“(I) had a lot of right rear damage and was pretty much out-of-control free, so as soon as (Hocevar), really he was the third one on the outside and I about wrecked every time,” Heim said. “Then, by the time he finally got there, I just spun out.
“With him on my door, I lost all my sideforce and lost control. So super unfortunate.”
We’re sure Heim was very, very disappointed that his spin collected Hocevar as well, but it’s a shame it basically took the title out of Enfinger’s hands.
Evidently, NASCAR believes so as well, or else they wouldn’t have docked Corey Heim some dough and some points this late in the game. The Truck Series finale was one many want to forget, but Heim’s bank account certainly won’t.