Kenny Wallace turns Corey Heim criticism into a life lesson about accepting greatness, citing Jeff Gordon's talent

Former NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace gave Corey Heim's critics a life lesson and asked fans to accept when a driver is "the best." Wallace also shared his experience racing beside three-time Cup champion Jeff Gordon.

Heim closed a season that broke multiple records and won the Craftsman Truck Series title at Phoenix this Friday. He swept both stages in the finale and closed the race after a late caution sent the race to overtime. While most drivers took fewer tires to gain track position, the Tricon Garage's No. 11 team chose four fresh tires. He restarted in 10th place but raced forward in the first corners and took the lead in short order.

Wallace called out the critics, who called Heim's move illegal, in the latest episode of his Coffee with Kenny podcast.

"There was a time that I was just devastated when I realized that God gave Jeff Gordon more talent than me and I was like, oh, it was a crushing blow. So my message for all of you, if I can recognize and give people credit when I know they're better than me, I know it hurts like hell, but you just got to let it go. Corey Heim, I don't care if he lagged back, a half a truck, a one truck, whatever the hell, he's the best and when you can admit that, you'll be free and you'll be happier with yourself," Wallace said (4:500 onwards).

Wallace, who raced in the Cup Series for about two decades between the 1990s and 2000s, failed to land any wins.

Heim led every Truck race this season and was the only driver with zero DNFs across all of NASCAR's top-three national series. He secured the regular-season championship well before the final races and had an average finish of 1.4 in playoff races.

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Corey Heim saves dominant Truck Series run at Phoenix

Corey Heim also broke the record of most Truck wins in a single year and collected 12 wins, two-times his 2024 count.

On Friday, the 23-year-old started sixth and took charge of the race after early chaos. A spin on Lap 1 caused a caution, and a penalty sent Kaden Honeycutt to the back. Heim used the restart to his advantage and both opening stages. The 2024 Truck Series champion, Ty Majeski, pole winner Layne Riggs, and Honeycutt closed in with three laps to go. After a crash and a slow stop, Heim dropped to 10th, but his seven-wide move salvaged his title hopes.

Corey Heim ended the season leading all Truck drivers in wins, laps led, and pole positions. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will now resume after 105 days on Friday, February 13, 2026.

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Edited by Riddhiman Sarkar