Corey Heim’s absence from a full-time ride in the 2026 season caught many by surprise. The reigning NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion, who set multiple records during his 2025 title run, remains one of the sport’s top talents alongside Connor Girish. However, Heim is not stepping away completely; he will join 23XI Racing as an open entry driver, competing in about one-third (12 races) of the NASCAR Cup Series for 2026.
Heim will drive the No. 67 Toyota Camry and take part in all four of NASCAR’s prestigious crown jewel events, including the 68th Daytona 500, the Coca-Cola 600 in May, the Brickyard 400 in July, and the Southern 500 in September. Booty Barker, who has extensive experience as a crew chief and was behind 23XI’s first Cup victory with Bubba Wallace in 2021, will lead Heim’s crew during these races.
Currently, 23XI Racing fields three full-time drivers: Bubba Wallace (23rd), Riley Herbst (35th), and Tyler Reddick (45th), with Heim making a fourth part-time entry across the season. Heim’s previous Cup experience includes seven starts from 2024 to 2025, five with 23XI Racing, highlighted by a strong sixth-place finish at the Bristol Night Race in 2024. Although he faced challenges, like not finishing the 2025 Chicago Street Course race, his extensive experience of over 500 professional races suggests he will qualify for most 2026 events.
His planned 2026 Cup schedule includes:
– February 15 – Daytona 500
– April 19 – Kansas Speedway
– May 3 – Texas Motor Speedway
– May 24 – Coca-Cola 600 (Charlotte)
– May 31 – Nashville Superspeedway
– June 21 – San Diego Street Course
– July 5 – Chicagoland Speedway
– July 26 – Brickyard 400 (Indianapolis)
– August 29 – Daytona International Speedway
– September 6 – Southern 500 (Darlington)
– October 11 – Charlotte Motor Speedway
– November 8 – Homestead-Miami Speedway Finale
Denny Hamlin, co-owner of 23XI Racing, expressed confidence in Heim’s future, emphasizing their long-term development strategy for sustained competitiveness. Dave Rogers, the team’s Senior Director of Competition, praised Heim’s eagerness to learn and his valuable input that has helped the team’s growth, looking forward to more races together this year.
Even when not behind the wheel, Heim remains actively involved in race preparation and analysis. Additionally, he is slated to compete in at least one truck race in 2026 under the TRICON banner, though the vehicle number is still to be announced. Heim commented, “I’m excited and honored to continue growing with 23XI. While every driver wants to race full-time, I’m fully committed to the approach we’re taking and eager to expand my racing abilities on and off the track.”
Fan Take: Corey Heim’s part-time but strategic involvement with 23XI Racing highlights the importance of nurturing young talent without rushing their full-time transition. NASCAR fans should watch closely as this approach could set a precedent for how emerging stars are developed, potentially leading to stronger competition and a more dynamic sport in the years ahead.
