Charles Krall (ARCA Racing): Here we are, Ten Questions with ARCA Menards Series driver Corey Heim who is driving for Venturini Motorsports in 2020. Question number one, if you could go anywhere in the world to take a vacation where would you want to go?
Corey Heim: I would probably want to go to Cancun.
CK: Really? What about Cancun makes you want to go there so much?
CH: A lot of people from my area in Georgia, it’s a popular place to go on vacation for them. A lot of people used to go to Destin all the time in Florida, and that’s a pretty popular place for them. People talk really good about Cancun and it looks like a lot of fun.
CK: Yeah from everything I have seen it does look like a lot of fun.
Alright question number two, what’s your favorite thing to do away from the race track?
CH: My favorite thing to do away from the race track, ironically enough, is SIM racing. I like to play a lot of video games with my friends and I play a lot of iRacing to get ready for the next one. That’s pretty much it. I go to school, go to the gym, come home and play iRacing and video games.
CK: That’s going to be a pretty common answer, “I like to play iRacing.”
CH: For sure.
CK: Okay, question number three. You just mentioned this because you’re in it and I haven’t been for thirty years. What is your favorite subject in school and what is your least favorite?
CH: My favorite would have to be history. I like learning about history and the world wars and things that happened in the recent past, like the last century or so. My least favorite would be math because I really don’t feel like half of the material will be used in my future, but I could be wrong.
CK: Let me just tell you, you are right, it’s not going to be used.
CH: Half the time I just think I am in there for no reason.
CK: My ex-wife is a CPA so I kid for a lot of people it is very important. For me, it was not.
If you could pick anyone, living or dead, to share a pre-race meal with who would you want it to be and where would you go.
CH: I would have to go with Denny Hamlin. I would go to this place, it was on this TV deal when they went to Pocono in 2013, every time they go to Pocono they go there and get the best BBQ they have ever had.
CK: Why would you pick Denny Hamlin?
CH: He’s always been my favorite driver ever since I was a little kid. I have always cheered him on and always pulled for him to win. I never enjoyed seeing anyone else win.
CK: Three-time Daytona 500 winner.
RACING-REFERENCE: Corey Heim Career Statistics
Okay, as a young guy you are just getting your feet wet as a professional race car driver. What type of example do you want to set for those drivers who follow you into the ARCA Menards Series or even higher up the ladder?
CH: Really, stay presentable and stay cool. Most of the time I am a pretty level headed person. People who get too riled up all the time don’t set a good example and don’t make it past the ARCA level. There are people like Kyle Busch who have their moments, but he has already established himself. If someone is trying to prove themselves, it’s going to be hard to do it they don’t keep a level mind.
CK: The next question may be hard, again, just because of your age. What was the first car you ever had?
CH: I had a Raptor, actually. That was my first car when I was with Chad Bryant. I still have it to this day. I got it for my sixteenth birthday.
CK: What do you think the biggest contribution you give to your teammates, whether it’s last year at Chad Bryant or this year with Venturini Motorsports?
CH: It is tough not having teammates. Any time I have gone to the racetrack with a late model or any other type of race car it is really tough. If you unload the race car and it’s not where it needs to be you have no where else to go. Unless you magically throw something at it and it’s perfect it’s hard to come back from that. Most of the time we come with two different packages so if one car is off the pace we can switch to that or vice versa. Teammates are a really big factor in stock car racing and it helps a lot to have a backup plan.
CK: Do you have any pre-race rituals that are an absolute must before you get in the racecar?
CH: I wouldn’t say that, but I definitely have to go to the bathroom before because unlike some drivers, I wouldn’t say most but a lot of drivers, but I am not one to pee in my seat because that is just disgusting. I know some people who will do that and it’s just gross. They aren’t even the ones who have to take the seat out of the car. I have to do that for sure. Most of the time when race time comes around I will be pretty worn out from practice and qualifying so I will have a Red Bull or a Five Hour Energy. Once I get into the racecar I will be fine but to get through pre-race and driver introductions I will definitely need a caffeine boost.
CK: You’re a good man Corey, not going to the bathroom inside the race car. Okay, here is my final question for you then you are going to give me one to give to Ryan Repko. It’s two laps to go, you are in second place and your teammate Mason Diaz is right in front of you. What is the outcome of the final lap going to be.
CH: For sure I am going to move him up the race track. No doubt. I mean, in this kind of racing you have to do everything you can to prove yourself. You can’t wreck him because that would be the opposite outcome but always try to make a move. If not, you’ll be kicking yourself for not doing it.
CK: You can always smooth it over in the meeting afterwards, right?
CH: Oh yeah, no doubt. He’ll get over it at some point.
CK: Do you have a question for Ryan Repko?
CH: This is kind of an inside joke. He will definitely get it because people give him crap about it all the time. Ask him what he thinks about his $500,00 gym membership.
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