Corey Heim won the NASCAR Truck Series legend, but the rising NASCAR star also made a great impression in the Cup Series last season with his occasional appearances.
Heim will not be a regular in any NASCAR series next season, but Michael Jordan co-owned 23XI Racing plans to reward him with more Cup Series assignments.
Michael Jordan’s Truck Series Sensation to Have a Greater Cup Series Role
Fox Sports reporter Bob Pockrass revealed on Friday that Heim is expected to compete in more than 10 NASCAR Cup Series races with 23XI Racing in 2026. He’ll also run select Truck Series events throughout the season.
“Yes. Expecting several Cup races (more than 10) for Corey Heim for 23XI Racing and some truck starts. Won’t be full time in a specific series,” Pockrass wrote on X.
Heim signed a multi-year development deal with 23XI Racing. That contract included part-time Cup starts and Xfinity races with Sam Hunt Racing, positioning him as the team’s first official development driver.
In 2024, Heim made four Cup Series starts with 23XI, bringing his total Cup experience to seven races. While those numbers aren’t huge, every lap counts when you’re building toward a full-time ride at NASCAR’s highest level.
As Toyota’s top young talent, many expected Heim to land a full-season Xfinity seat with Joe Gibbs Racing or move straight into a Cup role. Neither happened. Instead, 23XI is taking a measured approach with their young star.
Running nearly a third of the 2026 Cup Series season isn’t a bad consolation prize.
Heim will get valuable seat time in Cup cars without the stress of competing for a championship or worrying about every finish. He can learn the tracks, the competition, and the cars at his own pace.
The Truck Series starts give Heim a chance to visit victory lane and build momentum. There’s nothing worse for a driver’s confidence than going a full season without winning, something that could easily happen to a rookie in Cup.
This setup positions Heim perfectly for a potential full-time Cup ride next year. If 23XI decides to make changes, perhaps moving on from Riley Herbst, Heim will have a season’s worth of Cup experience under his belt and be ready to jump in.
At 23 years old, Heim has time on his side. He’s already proven he can win at the Truck level. Now he needs to show he can compete with the big boys in Cup.
The part-time schedule lets him do exactly that without burning out or making rookie mistakes under the spotlight of a full championship campaign. It’s a smart play by 23XI Racing, even if it frustrates fans eager to see their guy race every week.
If everything goes according to plan, 2026 could be the year Heim proves he’s ready for the next level. And when that full-time Cup ride finally comes, possibly as soon as 2027, he’ll be more prepared than ever to make the most of it.
