On Tuesday, Kyle Busch Motorsports announced that 19-year old Corey Heim will return to the organization during the 2022 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season as he’ll pilot the No. 51 truck for 15 races.
Busch says that Heim showed him a lot in his performances in the ARCA Menard Series in 2021, as he competed against Ty Gibbs for the series championship.
“Corey proved that he is capable of running up front and winning races in the ARCA Menards Series last season and we feel that he is very deserving of the opportunity for an expanded schedule with KBM next year,” Busch said. “Without any practice or qualifying he was able to step right in and run well enough in his Truck Series races this year and we feel that once he is able to get behind the wheel on a more consistent basis that he is someone that will be able to compete for wins.”
According to a release from KBM, Heim will have primary sponsorship in 10 races from JBL Audio. Mardy Lindley, who served as the No. 51 crew chief in 2021, will also return for the 2022 season.
Heim, a native of Marietta, Georgia, is excited to keep stepping toward being a full-time NASCAR National Series driver through the Toyota Racing Development program.
“Coming up through the Toyota Racing Development program not only have I looked up to Kyle as a driver but I’ve also watched him build KBM into an organization that provides up-and-coming drivers with all the tools that they need to win races and compete for championships, so I’m super grateful for the opportunity to compete for an owner’s championship alongside him in the No. 51 Tundra TRD Pro in 2022,” Heim said. “I was able to get JBL to victory lane three times in the ARCA Menards Series this year and I know that with Mardy (Lindley, crew chief) atop the pit box and the team I have around me that I can get them to victory lane again this year in the Camping World Truck Series.”
Heim had a best finish of 11th in three NCWTS starts with KBM in 2021, which came at Martinsville Speedway. Heim also amassed six wins during the 2021 ARCA Menards Series season and finished runner-up to Gibbs in the championship battle.
The young driver’s first race in the No. 51, for 2022, will be at the season-opening race at Daytona International Speedway on February 18th, and Heim will also run the final eight events of the season. The remainder of his schedule will be announced at a later date.
