DARLINGTON, S.C. — There’s an unmistakable frontrunner as the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Playoffs open with Saturday’s Sober or Slammer 200 at Darlington Raceway.
A seven-time winner this season, Heim enters the first round of the Playoffs with a 62-point margin above the current elimination line—more than a full-race “mulligan.”
However, the TRICON Garage driver knows a crash or part failure can change the dynamic of the Playoffs in short order.
“I feel like our mind-set as far as our 11 crew and the organization with TRICON is to prepare to the best of our ability in the same way that we have for most of the races this year and just to really hone in on everything, if not elevate everything, to make sure that we cannot have any failures or anything crazy like that.
“And also, just continue to bring the speed that we have throughout the year.”
Heim enters the Playoffs on a two-race winning streak, but 1.366-mile Darlington has been a trouble track for the series leader. In four starts at the Lady in Black, Heim has a best finish of eighth and an average finish of 20.5.
