Heim Time in Coronado! Corey Heim holds off Tyler Reddick for first Cup Series win.

Nick Bowden - Staff Writer

Corey Heim burns it down after winning first Cup Series race at Naval Base Coronado. (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)

San Diego, CA - The NASCAR Cup series fired engines Sunday afternoon for the inaugural road course race at Naval Base Coronado. Shane Van Gisbergen led the field to the green flag, alongside him on the front row was Carson Hocevar.

Christopher Bell, Tyler Reddick, and Erik Jones were all sent to the rear due to repairs and adjustments.

The first caution of the day came out on Lap 12 after Ricky Stenhouse Jr. stalled and lost power. It seemed to be a battery issue for the No. 47 Chevrolet. Ryan Blaney picked up the Stage win after Bubba Wallace lost the right-front wheel with two laps remaining in the stage. Wallace was held for two laps, and will have two of his crew members suspended for next week. 

The first caution of Stage 2 came on Lap 32. The gearbox in the No. 20 Toyota failed on Brent Crews, who took over for Christopher Bell after the first caution of the day due to Bell’s fractured wrist. The big one occurred on Lap 32, collecting a handful of drivers and contenders. Shane van Gisbergen drove into Austin Hill, who then hit Connor Zilisch and everyone behind them piled in. Also involved were Ryan Blaney, Ty Gibbs, Michael McDowell, Riley Herbst, William Byron, Joey Logano, and Daniel Suarez. The incident resulted in a red flag to allow repairs to the wall. 

The caution came out with 15 to go after Ricky Stenhouse had an engine go causing fluid to spill onto the track in turn 2. 

The end of the final stage was one for the ages to say the least, It was an intense final 10 laps between Tyler Reddick and Corey Heim as they battled for the lead. Corey Heim was able to make the pass on Reddick after Reddick missed a turn. Tyler Reddick would then suffer a left-front tire failure and Heim never looked back. 

This is Heim’s first win in the Cup Series, before he begins his full-time Cup career next year for 23XI Racing. 

Top 10 at Naval Base Coronado:

1. Corey Heim

2. Bubba Wallace

3. Kyle Larson

4. Zane Smith

5. AJ Allmendinger

6. Chris Buescher

7. Ross Chastain

8. Riley Herbst

9. Ryan Blaney

10. Michael McDowell

NEXT UP: The NASCAR Cup Series goes back to road course racing again next Sunday  at Sonoma at 3:30PM. Coverage can be found on TNT for the first time this season.