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Corey Heim’s breakthrough NASCAR Cup Series season has been impressive from the moment it began. Now, the numbers show just how historic his start has become.
Heim’s victory in Sunday’s Brickyard 400 marked the second Cup Series win of his young career. While winning one of NASCAR’s crown jewel races was headline-worthy on its own, the milestone became even more remarkable when viewed through the lens of history. Heim won the sport’s inaugural race at San Diego’s Coronado Naval Base earlier this season.
According to a statistical breakdown compiled by motorsports statistician Daniel Céspedes, Heim reached two Cup Series victories in just 15 career starts, making him the fastest driver among the last 20 to earn a second Cup win. Even more impressively, Heim became the first driver of NASCAR’s modern era, which began in 1972, to collect multiple Cup victories within his first 15 starts.
For comparison, the previous 20 drivers to earn at least two Cup Series victories averaged 164.2 starts before reaching that milestone, with a median of 129.5. Heim accomplished the same feat before many drivers even settled into a full-time Cup ride.
The comparison becomes even more striking when looking at some of today’s biggest stars.
Shane van Gisbergen reached his second Cup victory in 30 starts. Christopher Bell needed 92. Austin Cindric did it in 94, while Tyler Reddick reached the mark in 96 starts.
Former champions and perennial contenders took even longer. Chase Elliott earned his second win in 107 starts, William Byron in 111 and Ryan Blaney in 119. Ross Chastain reached two victories after 125 starts, while Chase Briscoe did so in 134.
Further down the list are drivers such as Chris Buescher (250 starts), Daniel Suarez (253), AJ Allmendinger (375) and Michael McDowell, who didn’t capture his second Cup victory until his 453rd start.
Simply put, what Heim has accomplished isn’t just uncommon. It’s almost unprecedented.
Heim announced himself with his first Cup Series victory earlier this season in San Diego. Winning the Brickyard 400 just weeks later elevated his résumé to another level.
The Indianapolis triumph delivered his first crown jewel victory and made him the first driver in the modern era to record multiple Cup wins within his first 15 starts. It also gave 23XI Racing back-to-back victories in the Brickyard 400 after Bubba Wallace won the event a year ago.
Just a few months ago, Heim was widely viewed as one of NASCAR’s brightest Truck Series stars waiting for a full-time Cup opportunity. Now, he is building a résumé that compares favorably with some of the fastest-rising drivers the sport has seen in more than 50 years.
The young star is now set to race full time for 23XI Racing for the 2027 NASCAR Cup Series season.
Fifteen starts into his Cup Series career, Heim already owns two victories, including one of NASCAR’s biggest races. History suggests almost nobody gets there this quickly.
Continue reading...
Heim’s victory in Sunday’s Brickyard 400 marked the second Cup Series win of his young career. While winning one of NASCAR’s crown jewel races was headline-worthy on its own, the milestone became even more remarkable when viewed through the lens of history. Heim won the sport’s inaugural race at San Diego’s Coronado Naval Base earlier this season.
According to a statistical breakdown compiled by motorsports statistician Daniel Céspedes, Heim reached two Cup Series victories in just 15 career starts, making him the fastest driver among the last 20 to earn a second Cup win. Even more impressively, Heim became the first driver of NASCAR’s modern era, which began in 1972, to collect multiple Cup victories within his first 15 starts.
For comparison, the previous 20 drivers to earn at least two Cup Series victories averaged 164.2 starts before reaching that milestone, with a median of 129.5. Heim accomplished the same feat before many drivers even settled into a full-time Cup ride.
Heim’s pace is unlike almost anyone else’s
The comparison becomes even more striking when looking at some of today’s biggest stars.
Shane van Gisbergen reached his second Cup victory in 30 starts. Christopher Bell needed 92. Austin Cindric did it in 94, while Tyler Reddick reached the mark in 96 starts.
Former champions and perennial contenders took even longer. Chase Elliott earned his second win in 107 starts, William Byron in 111 and Ryan Blaney in 119. Ross Chastain reached two victories after 125 starts, while Chase Briscoe did so in 134.
Further down the list are drivers such as Chris Buescher (250 starts), Daniel Suarez (253), AJ Allmendinger (375) and Michael McDowell, who didn’t capture his second Cup victory until his 453rd start.
Simply put, what Heim has accomplished isn’t just uncommon. It’s almost unprecedented.
The Brickyard win changed the conversation
Heim announced himself with his first Cup Series victory earlier this season in San Diego. Winning the Brickyard 400 just weeks later elevated his résumé to another level.
The Indianapolis triumph delivered his first crown jewel victory and made him the first driver in the modern era to record multiple Cup wins within his first 15 starts. It also gave 23XI Racing back-to-back victories in the Brickyard 400 after Bubba Wallace won the event a year ago.
Just a few months ago, Heim was widely viewed as one of NASCAR’s brightest Truck Series stars waiting for a full-time Cup opportunity. Now, he is building a résumé that compares favorably with some of the fastest-rising drivers the sport has seen in more than 50 years.
The young star is now set to race full time for 23XI Racing for the 2027 NASCAR Cup Series season.
Fifteen starts into his Cup Series career, Heim already owns two victories, including one of NASCAR’s biggest races. History suggests almost nobody gets there this quickly.
Continue reading...
