Corey Heim secured his first Cup victory with a 23XI 1‑2 finish at Naval Base Coronado, besting teammate Tyler Reddick in a dramatic late‑race showdown.
Finishers and Fast Facts
The top ten from the race were:
- 1. Corey Heim (23XI)
- 2. Bubba Wallace (Michael Jordan‑owned 23XI)
- 3. Kyle Larson (Chip Ganassi Racing)
- 4. Zane Smith (Richard Childress Racing)
- 5. AJ Allmendinger (Starline Racing)
- 6. Chris Buescher (Trackhouse Racing)
- 7. Ross Chastain (Richard Childress Racing)
- 8. Riley Herbst (Trackhouse Racing)
- 9. Ryan Blaney (Joe Gibbs Racing)
- 10. Michael McDowell (Trackhouse Racing)
Kevin Magnussen made his NASCAR Cup debut, recording the fastest lap near the race’s end and finishing 27th.
Stakeholders and Incidents
Tyler Reddick, the championship leader, struggled after a flat left‑front tire and finished 25th. His teammate, 23-year‑old Heim, was guided by crew chief Bootie Barker during the pivotal pit stops.
The race featured multiple cautions: a first for A. Dillon’s spin, a pause after Stenhouse Jr.’s stall, a detonation of a JGR Toyota’s engine at lap 32, a wall‑repair red flag, and debris-related warnings. These interruptions reshuffled the running order and forced several strategic decisions.
Race‑Stage Breakdown
Stage 1
Shane van Gisbergen began from pole with Trackhouse Racing, but Ryan Blaney overhauled the field and claimed stage leadership after the first full‑course yellow triggered by Stenhouse Jr.’s stall. Van Gisbergen’s early lead was lost when he triggered a caution due to a right‑front tire failure, costing the team a full stop. Blaney’s stage victory kept him firmly in the upper echelon.
Stage 2
A new front‑group formed, led by Connor Zilisch and Corey Preece. Van Gisbergen’s attempt to climb back into contention resulted in contact with Chris Buescher, inducing a minor spin that preserved the field. Midstage, Kevin Magnussen’s No. 20 JGR Toyota suffered a blown engine, generating another caution. The lap‑32 restart saw a loss of control by Hill and Zilisch, forcing both from the lead and eliminating the Red Bull‑sponsored Chevrolets from the contest.
Stage 3
Chris Buescher seized the lead at stage start, but a debris caution followed. A. Dillon, Jackson Jones, Byron, Elliott, and Brad Keselowski all encountered incidents that spread wear throughout the pack. Kyle Larson seized overall control after most cars pitted early, yet many, including Reddick and Heim, remained on older tires.
Key Moments and Cautions
Late in the race, a fluid spill from Stenhouse Jr.’s off‑track exit prompted a caution that let Hocevar take the lead. Hocevar spun on the final chicane, collecting Chastain as the field’s order collapsed. During the decisive closing stints, Heim’s aggression forced Reddick into the wall, and the flat-late left‑front spark a blow. Heim’s crew executed a flawless pit stop that preserved the advantage, sealing the 1‑2 finish.
With Heim now 25th in points, a narrow eight‑point margin over Denny Hamlin keeps the championship battle alive as the season progresses.
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