NASCAR points leader returning after missing one race

After missing one race, NASCAR Truck Series points leader Corey Heim is set to return for Friday night’s race at Nashville Superspeedway.

The NASCAR Truck Series has been in the midst of somewhat of a hiatus since the Toyota 200 presented by CK Power was contested at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway back on Saturday, June 3.

Points leader Corey Heim has been on an even longer hiatus, having not competed since his second place finish in the North Carolina Education Lottery 200 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Friday, May 26.

Heim missed the race at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway with an illness, with Jesse Love taking his place behind the wheel of the No. 11 Toyota for TRICON Garage.

While he didn’t compete full-time last year, Heim did drive the No. 51 Toyota for Kyle Busch Motorsports and won last year’s race at the track, making his absence this time around particularly disappointing.

Now the 20-year-old Marietta, Georgia native has been cleared to return to the NASCAR Truck Series.

Heim is set to be back behind the wheel of the No. 11 Toyota in this Friday night’s Rackley Roofing 200 at Nashville Superspeedway.

As a part-time driver, Heim competed in last year’s race at Nashville Superspeedway. After finishing in third place in both of the race’s first two stages, he crashed out and was scored in 33rd.

Despite his missed start a few weeks ago, Heim retained his lead in the point standings, though he enters Friday night’s 150-lap race around the four-turn, 1.33-mile (2.140-kilometer) Lebanon, Tennessee oval just one point in front of ThorSport Racing’s Ty Majeski.

ThorSport Racing’s Grant Enfinger, who won at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway, is now just nine points behind Heim, with reigning series champion Zane Smith of Front Row Motorsports only 10 points behind Enfinger.

Heim has been granted a playoff waiver, meaning that his missed start won’t count against his playoff eligibility. He is locked into the playoffs because of his win at Martinsville Speedway back in April.

The Rackley Roofing 200 is set to be broadcast live on Fox Sports 1 from Nashville Superspeedway beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET on Friday, June 23. Start a free trial of FuboTV today and don’t miss it!