Corey Heim keeps winning races.
He’s also not interested in apologizing for how he gets there.
After Saturday’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Michigan International Speedway, Heim found himself answering questions not only about his victory, but also about frustrated teammate Kaden Honeycutt, who felt the two TRICON Garage drivers could have worked together differently in the closing laps.
Honeycutt finished second. Heim took the trophy.
And when Heim was asked about Honeycutt’s reaction, he delivered one of the weekend’s most memorable quotes.
“Get thicker skin and deal with it. That’s my advice to him.”
The response was brief. The message was clear.
As far as Heim was concerned, there was nothing to apologize for.
A Teammate Battle Ends With Frustration
For much of the afternoon, the story looked like a perfect day for TRICON Garage.
Heim and Honeycutt were among the fastest trucks in the field, and by the closing laps they had positioned themselves to fight for the victory. Carson Hocevar lurked just behind them, waiting for any opening.
Instead of working together to create more separation, Honeycutt felt the battle between the teammates started too early.
After climbing from his truck, the runner-up driver didn’t hide his disappointment.
“Yeah, he had no problem working with Bell in the second stage, pull away and then he gets to me and just drives right by me,” Honeycutt said. “So yeah, just definitely unfortunate, but it’s a good race for our team. Good points … I’m just frustrated. We just need to work together better. That’s really, that’s all there is to it.”
Honeycutt’s frustration wasn’t necessarily about losing the race.
It was about how he lost it.
The 11 truck spent much of the afternoon near the front and believed the teammates could have continued drafting together before settling the win between themselves.
Instead, Heim raced for the lead when the opportunity appeared.
Corey Heim Saw Nothing Wrong With It
Heim’s perspective was considerably different.
The Truck Series championship contender acknowledged that teamwork helped put both TRICON entries in position to contend, but he also made it clear that the race changed once the white flag waved.
To him, the final lap is no place for team orders.
“I thought we worked pretty well together to get a gap,” Heim said. “I don’t know if he had a bad stop or what happened to him, but I thought us and the 11 worked pretty well together for the last five laps.”
Then came the explanation that likely won’t do much to ease Honeycutt’s frustration.
“But when it’s the white flag, you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do at that point,” Heim said. “I mean, if he wrecked me by me blocking him, then that’s my fault and that’s fine. It is what it is.”
That mindset helps explain why Heim has become one of the most successful Truck Series drivers of his generation.
Michigan marked his third victory in the last four races and further strengthened his grip on the championship conversation.
The win also came one day before Heim’s Cup Series substitute appearance for JR Motorsports at Michigan, adding even more momentum to an already impressive stretch.
Honeycutt may have left Michigan frustrated.
Heim left with the trophy, the checkered flag, and a message that made it clear he isn’t losing sleep over how the final laps unfolded.
