Corey Heim finishes 2nd in ARCA race after replacing Jake Finch who suffered a viral infection

Corey Heim stepped in as a last-minute replacement for Jake Finch in the ARCA Menards Series race at Michigan International Speedway. According to a tweet shared by Bob Pockrass, Finch was sidelined due to a viral infection. Heim, taking over the No. 25 Toyota for Venturini Motorsports, went on to finish second in the race.

Heim’s second-place finish came despite not having recent experience in ARCA machinery. He was brought in on short notice and still managed to compete at the front, challenging for the win against eventual race winner Brenden Queen. Queen led most of the day and held off Heim in the final laps to secure the win. The initial update about Finch’s replacement came with the caption,

“Chatted for a moment with Jake Finch. He has a viral infection and despite getting fluids, just feeling really weak and knows it is best not to drive in the race. Obviously not easy decision to sit out but following doctors recommendations. Corey Heim in the ARCA car for Finch.”

Heim was quick to acknowledge the difficulty of adapting to the car after a long gap from the ARCA series. Speaking to FOX Sports after the race, Corey Heim said he had to work on car handling throughout the stints and credited his crew chief, Shannon Rursch, for adjusting the car’s balance in the final stage. Heim said the last run was the best, but track position played a major role in the outcome.

Queen was fastest in practice and started from the pole and earned his third win of the season. Heim, driving in his 44th ARCA Menards Series start, trailed just behind.

Jake Finch was originally scheduled to make his third ARCA start of 2025 with Venturini Motorsports. His best finish this year was seventh. Venturini’s announcement on June 6 confirmed Heim as the replacement driver, but no reason for Finch’s absence was initially given. Bob Pockrass later clarified that doctors advised Finch to rest due to illness.

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Corey Heim reflects on Cup Series clash with Keselowski

Corey Heim's busy weekend wasn’t limited to the ARCA garage. Just days before his fill-in run at Michigan, Heim was back in Cup Series action at Nashville Superspeedway. It was his second Cup Series start of 2025 and his first in the No. 67 Toyota Camry XSE for 23XI Racing. The Truck Series full-timer, who normally drives the No. 11 Toyota for Tricon Garage, ran part-time in the Cup Series this season after starting three races in 2024.

During the 399-mile race on June 1, Corey Heim attempted to pass RFK Racing’s Brad Keselowski for 12th place on lap 132. But he ran out of room exiting Turn 4, leading to contact that sent both drivers into the outside wall. Heim spun out and hit the wall hard, ending his day. The incident resulted in a DNF and a 37th-place finish.

Speaking to the media post-race, Heim admitted fault for the crash. As quoted by Dalton Hopkins on X, Heim said,

"I'm pretty sure I just kind of cleared myself across the nose of the 6 (Brad Keselowski). A little bit too desperate... just used too much race track."

He added that the car had great speed and that starting from 33rd limited his chances. Despite the crash, Corey Heim expressed appreciation toward his team, sponsors, and the opportunity to drive the #67 for 23XI Racing. He admitted that while the result was disappointing, the overall performance was encouraging, and he looked forward to future Cup outings.