Corey Heim Confess He “Will Always Hold a Grudge” Against Carson Hocevar

The 2023 Truck Series season finale was one of the worst races the third division ever produced, as the contenders Carson Hocevar and Corey Heim wrecked each other during an over aggressive duel. The duo hasn’t forgiven each other yet over the drama and from 2027, the beef is going to continue in the Cup Series with the latter set have his rookie debut with 23XI Racing.

Last Sunday, when 23XI Racing’s Heim secured his maiden win in the Cup at San Diego, he had another run-in with Hocevar and fortunately it wasn’t as egregious as their past incidents. Talking about their long-standing beef, the Toyota driver admitted that he would always hold a grudge against the Chevy driver over the 2023 finale wreck, but asserted that wasn’t a reason he spun out the No:77 car last Sunday.

At the end of the day, he wiped me out for a championship, so I’m always going to have to kind of hold that grudge against him. I obviously didn’t take that very well and I wrecked him back that day. I didn’t have any intent to turn him around backwards on Sunday, but when he was sitting there looking at me spinning out, I wasn’t mad at it either.

Corey Heim told Jeff Gluck.

"He wiped me out for a championship."

Corey Heim doesn't hate Carson Hocevar, but he's not cutting him a break on the track anytime soon. pic.twitter.com/4QLVZpU5Sf

— Dirty Mo Media (@DirtyMoMedia) June 25, 2026

Carson Hocevar crossed a line he shouldn’t have two years ago and since that day Corey Heim don’t have the same level respect he used to have for him. Michael Jordan’s driver admitted that he will never give the Spire Motorsports racer any leeway when they race each other on the track, as he lost that privilege in 2023.

I lost a lot of respect for him in a race car that day. I don’t hate him as a person or anything. I’m not going to walk up to him at a grocery store and try to fight him or nothing, but I’m never going to cut him any slack.

Corey Heim added via The Gluckcast.

Corey Heim reveals message he got from Michael Jordan after San Diego triumph

In a separate conversation, Heim talked about the significance of his win and how his boss Jordan has been one of his biggest supporters. He highlighted that after his every day; the NBA legend check up on his as well as his crew chief. This makes the basketball GOAT one of the most invested team owners in the garage.

It’s always cool hearing from MJ. He reaches out if I run 30th. Whether it’s a keep your head up type of text or a hey, nice job kind of text, it’s always cool hearing from him. He’s a very invested owner and he’s very good at keeping up with the drivers and the crew chiefs. The fact he’s so invested in this race team is a really cool feeling. Hearing from him is always good.

Corey Heim said.

Later in the same discussion, he talked about the pressure on his shoulders after becoming a Cup race winner. He admitted that winning a Cup race as a part-timer in pretty special and asserted that he now has more pressure than ever on his shoulders to prove his worth.

I understand that I’m capable of winning a Cup race. It’s a huge deal, and to be able to do it before being in a full-time situation definitely takes a bit of the edge off. With that being said, the pressure is on now to prove I can do it twice or even more than that.

Corey Heim asserted.

The comments from the youngster shows he has the full support of his team and he has full confidence in his capabilities; the formula racers need to succeed in motorsport. It would be interesting to see how the reminder of 2026 and 2027 rookie season is going to playout for the 23XI driver.

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