NASCAR has issued behavioral penalties to NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Corey Heim following his actions in last week’s Truck Series finale at Phoenix Raceway.
Heim was fined $12,500 and docked 25 points in the Truck Series driver standings. The penalty falls under the heading of NASCAR Rule Book Sections 4.4.B & D, which refers to the NASCAR Member Code of Conduct.
The Tricon Garage driver was involved in two incidents with Niece Motorsports’ Carson Hocevar. After Hocevar ran into the back of Heim on lap 120, Heim repaid the favor by running Hocevar’s No. 42 into the wall with five laps to go. The two were in the midst of competing for the Truck Series championship.
After finishing 18th in the finale with Ben Rhodes scoring the title, Heim stated the contact late in the race with Hocevar wasn’t intentional.
“Like I mentioned, I had no side force and as soon as someone puts it on my door you kind of lose side force and lose control,” Heim said. “I hate it for those guys. They deserved a good run today. Maybe next time.”
NASCAR officials determined Wednesday that a review of the No. 11 team’s radio transmissions indicated that Heim had violated the member guidelines, specifically in three areas of the rule book:
• Attempting to manipulate the outcome of the race or championship.
• Wrecking or spinning another vehicle, whether or not that vehicle is removed from Competition as a result.
• Any actions deemed to compromise the safety of an Event or otherwise pose a dangerous risk to the safety of Competitors, Officials, spectators, or others.
Heim, who originally was scored third in the points, dropped to fourth out of the four Championship 4 drivers due to the 25-point penalty.