Corey Heim reacts to Kevin Harvick’s ‘embarrassing for the Series’ comment ahead of the championship race

Corey Heim has responded to Kevin Harvick’s comments about his 2025 championship bid. Harvick, who retired from formal racing back in 2023, said that it would be embarrassing if Heim or Connor Zilisch, another Xfinity standout, doesn’t win the 2025 championship.

Harvick’s comments surfaced on his Happy Hour podcast. Between the Xfinity and the Craftsman Truck Series, Zilisch and Heim have amassed a total of 21 wins. Given their consistency all year round, if one of them doesn’t win the ultimate honor, Harvick suggested that it would unveil serious flaws in the current playoff format.

“When you look at Corey Heim’s stats compared to everybody else, if he doesn’t win this championship, it’s going to be a nuclear meltdown, if they don’t change the points to the correct way at the end of the year," the former Cup champion said. "If Connor Zilisch and Corey Heim don’t win these championships, it’s exactly why we don’t need the system we have. It’s embarrassing.”

Recently, Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports interviewed Heim. During the session, Pockrass asked the Tricon Garage driver what he thought about Harvick’s comments.

“I haven’t really looked into any of that too much,” Heim replied. “I mean, I don’t even know how to react if I were to lose. I haven’t really thought about it. I prepared a win so hopefully we can go and do that.”

Zilisch didn’t make the Championship round, so all eyes are now on Corey Heim. 24 races into the season, Heim sits at the top of the championship standings with a series-high 11 wins. He has also amassed 18 top fives and 20 top-10s so far.

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Corey Heim shares his views on NASCAR’s current playoff format

Corey Heim believes that NASCAR’s playoff system does not adequately value consistency. Instead, it relies on one-race wonders. This makes the Championship race at Phoenix essentially a gamble.

Last Friday, Heim earned his 11th win of the season in the Round of 8 race at Martinsville Speedway. With that, he qualified for the Championship race, which is scheduled for October 31. The final three spots went to reigning series champion Ty Majeski, Tyler Ankrum, and Kaden Honeycutt.

"You can kind of suck all year and bring your best truck to Phoenix and you can win the whole championship,” Corey Heim explained. “It doesn't matter how good you've been all year.” “Look at (Majeski, Joe Shear and the Thorsport No. 98), they have not been the best,” Heim continued. “I don't think they have a win to their name this year but they are probably the truck to beat alongside us next weekend.”

Fans can watch Heim run for the championship on Fox Sports 1 (7:30 pm ET) with live radio updates on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Channel 90.

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Edited by Tushhita Barua