IMSA Star Publicly Concedes Inferiority to Tricon Garage Teammate Amidst Truck Series Debut at COTA

The Circuit of The Americas has played a pivotal role in the world of motorsports. Whether it is Formula 1 or IMSA, this track has played the role of a humble host to every form of motorsport. Keeping up with the expectations, the track hosted NASCAR’s Truck Series on Saturday and bore witness to some noteworthy restarts and a befitting winner. Moreover, to add to the cherry on top, the series also welcomed IMSA and IndyCar veteran Jack Hawksworth. 

The veteran British driver who has already treaded a long way in the world of motorsports also plays a part-time role as a driver for Tricon Garage. Although he has aced his skills as a road course racer, Hawksworth fell short when it came to notching a victory in the hands of his teammate Corey Heim. In the aftermath of the race, Hawksworth was seen dissecting his race and appreciating Heim for his spectacular run. 

Veteran IMSA driver helps Tricon Garage in notching a favorable finish

There is a fine line that differentiates a winner from the vanquished one, and Saturday’s Truck Series race was all about it. While it was a banner day for Tricon Garage, the race saw a multitude of incidents that plagued the track of COTA. However, Heim, with his steady hands behind the wheel, was able to dodge all the major hurdles and notch his first victory in the season.

However, it was not just Heim who had a memorable run on the road course, but the whole team. Five of Tricon Garage’s trucks were able to finish within the top 10, including that of Jack Hawksworth. The veteran British driver finished sixth in the race. However, it was apparent that the driver was not content with his finish and thought there was a bit more he could do. Speaking to Frontstretch, the #1 Toyota Truck driver expressed, “He was just a bit too fast in the high speed. I felt quicker in all the low-speed stuff and then just really good in the esses and then really fast through that long right hand.”

“I just felt like he had a little more grip and he could just lean on the rear a little bit more, while when I was doing it. it was sliding the truck. So just he was very good in high speed and the rest of the track I felt maybe I was gaining on him a bit but we definitely were going to beat him today but I think we finished right behind him but obviously fighting and lots of tire that happened,” the road course ace added. 

While Hawksworth was left contemplating what could’ve been, Heim truly took the cake with his blistering performance.

Read More: Corey Heim Sweeps NASCAR’s Road Course Crown at COTA

A flawless Corey Heim delivers a clinical performance in COTA

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There is no denying that Heim was a befitting winner. The racer did not leave any room for mistakes and was absolutely impeccable. He led for 31 laps only to net his sixth career win. Speaking to FOX Sports after taking the chequered flag, Heim expressed, “I just prepared so hard for this race. The Safelite Toyota Tundra was phenomenal. Huge thanks to Trevor Bayne for my pre-race stuff. He’s helped me so much.”

“So much help through so many different areas for me. I came into this race last year and just struggled. I finished sixth with a penalty and was just all over the place. To put together a solid race like this is so special and it just shows how good our trucks are back in the shop,” Heim concluded.

Also Read: Connor Zilisch Dissects “Straight Chaos” at COTA, Moments After Brutal NASCAR Crash-Course

With the races from both Xfinity Series and Truck Series over, it will be interesting to see what is in store for the veteran Cup Series race, which is set to be star-studded. Will it be as nail-biting as the other two leagues?