The Cutline: COREY HEIM WINS AT SAN DIEGO!

What’s Happening?

Corey Heim delivered one of the biggest statements of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, beating Tyler Reddick, Kyle Larson, and a stacked field to earn his first Cup Series victory at San Diego. The race featured tire wear, multiple contenders, late-race drama, and a major incident involving Shane van Gisbergen and Connor Zilisch that reshaped the outcome.

• How impressive was Corey Heim’s breakthrough victory, and does defeating drivers like Tyler Reddick and Kyle Larson immediately establish him as a future championship threat when he goes full-time in 2027?
• How much did Bubba Wallace help his playoff position with a runner-up finish at one of his historically weakest track types, and has he now created valuable breathing room above the cutline?
• Did Tyler Reddick’s late tire failure open the door for Denny Hamlin in the regular season points battle, and could Sonoma become a pivotal race in determining who leaves with the points lead?
• After the crash involving Shane van Gisbergen, Connor Zilisch, and Austin Hill, is Sonoma now a must-win race for van Gisbergen as he tries to climb back inside the playoff field before the schedule shifts heavily toward ovals?

This video focuses heavily on Heim’s stunning victory, the playoff implications for drivers such as Wallace, Hamlin, and van Gisbergen, and whether San Diego proved itself as a successful new NASCAR event. Armany DePaul also ranks the weekend’s races and argues that NASCAR once again demonstrated its ability to successfully race in unique venues.