Corey Heim stepped into Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the first time Friday. Two days later, he was celebrating on Victory Podium after an impressive drive to victory in Sunday’s Brickyard 400 NASCAR Cup Series race.
Heim, the reigning NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion, is running only a part-time schedule this season before entering the Cup Series full time next season. He’s making the most of his opportunities.
Heim, who drives the No. 67 Toyota for 23XI Racing, scored a surprising first Cup Series victory at Naval Base Coronado in June. Little did anyone know, the 24-year-old Georgian had more in store for them on one of the sport’s grandest stages.
In the hunt throughout the race, Heim used a powerful restart on lap 127 to surge ahead of his team co-owner, Denny Hamlin. From there, he held off Christopher Bell over the final 34 laps to join the list of famous drivers who have conquered Indianapolis.
Heim is the first part-time driver to win the Brickyard 400 and the second youngest winner, as Jeff Gordon was 23 when he won the inaugural NASCAR race at Indy.
Heim’s second Cup Series triumph came in only his 15th series start.
