Dale Jr identifies ‘subsequent Denny Hamlin’ set for – Sports News
Corey Heim delivered the largest second of his younger NASCAR Cup Series profession Sunday, successful the Anduril 250 at Naval Base Coronado in simply his thirteenth Cup Series begin.
The 23-year-old overcame two early brushes with the wall earlier than charging by way of the sphere, monitoring down teammate Tyler Reddick within the closing laps and making the successful move with three laps remaining. Reddick briefly crossed back beneath Heim however selected to not make contact as the 2 raced side-by-side, and a flat tire moments later dropped the factors chief to twenty fifth.
The drive left Dale Earnhardt Jr. looking for one of the largest comparisons doable.
Watching Heim’s breakthrough victory, Earnhardt mentioned the 23XI Racing driver reminded him of co-owner Hamlin, pointing to each his profession path and his confidence behind the wheel.
“Denny has landed a driver that at times almost reminds me of Denny and the pathway that he’s taken,” Earnhardt mentioned on Amazon Prime’s post-race protection. “He went through some of the same cars that Denny went through in his journey. And the racecraft. Denny came with that same level of racecraft. So the mentality on the racetrack and the confidence that Corey Heim has behind the wheel, it’s very similar to me. So I guess we could expect another 20 years of multiple wins.”
Earnhardt instantly acknowledged the weight of the comparability. “We don’t want to put the pressure on the young man’s shoulders, but he just came out here today and showed us how good he was.”
Heim, the 2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion from Marietta, Georgia, is competing in a partial Cup Series schedule this season whereas chasing one other Truck Series title. Sunday’s victory counts as an official Cup Series win, however as a result of Heim declared for Truck Series factors earlier than the season, he stays ineligible for the Cup Series playoffs.
Instead, the victory serves as one other reminder of what 23XI Racing hopes is forward. Heim is set to grow to be a full-time Cup Series driver in 2027, when he takes over the seat being vacated by Riley Herbst.
Hamlin shared Earnhardt’s confidence after watching Heim secure his first Cup victory. “It’s hard to get all the pieces of the puzzle of a driver all in one driver, but I really feel optimistic that he’s got all the tools that he needs to succeed,” Hamlin mentioned after the race.
He then added with a smile: “I don’t think this was on the agenda for San Diego.” When requested to elaborate additional, Hamlin borrowed a phrase from Ryan Blaney. “As Blaney says, he’s gonna be a problem.”
For Earnhardt, Heim’s efficiency was enough to make the remainder of the storage take discover. “There’s a lot of other owners out there in the garage that are jealous that Denny has landed this talent,” he mentioned.
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