Corey Heim penalized for actions in Craftsman Truck Series finale at Phoenix

NASCAR officials issued behavioral penalties Wednesday to Craftsman Truck Series driver Corey Heim for his actions in last weekend's season-ending race 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. MORE: 2024 Craftsman Truck Series schedule Heim was involved in a pair of incidents during Friday night's season finale, the first of which sent Heim's No. 11 Tricon Garage Toyota spinning after a Lap 120 bump from the No. 42 Niece Motorsports Chevrolet of fellow Championship 4 contender Carson Hocevar. Just 27 laps later, Heim's truck made contact with Hocevar's as the pair exited Turn 2. Heim explained in post-race interviews that he had lost control of his damaged truck as Hocevar attempted to pass him. But 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. 

Hocevar was sidelined by their second altercation and finished 29th in the 36-truck field. Heim, the pole-starter, continued and finished on the lead lap in 18th place. Those results placed Heim third among the four title-eligible drivers, behind champion Ben Rhodes and 11 points clear of Hocevar. The points penalty, however, knocks Heim to fourth in the final Craftsman Truck Series standings behind Hocevar.