Many had been left shocked by the truth that Corey Heim was and not using a full-time journey getting into the 2026 season. The defending NASCAR Craftsman Truck Sequence champion broke numerous information in his 2025 title run, and is taken into account the game’s high prospect alongside Connor Zilisch.
Nonetheless, that does not imply Heim will not be racing this yr. In a Friday announcement, we discovered that Heim might be piloting an open entry for 23XI Racing, and is ready to compete in a 3rd of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Sequence schedule — 12 races.
Because the No. 67 Toyota Camry XSE would not have a constitution, he must qualify his approach into any races exceeding the utmost 40 entries (together with the Daytona 500).
Heim’s schedule will embody all 4 of NASCAR’s crown jewel occasions. Along with the 68th operating of the Daytona 500, he may even try to participate within the Coca-Cola 600 in Could, the Brickyard 400 in July, and the Southern 500 in September.
Bootie Barker will companion with Heim as his crew chief for these deliberate races. He has labored lots of of races from atop the pit field, and was the crew chief when 23XI gained its first Cup race in 2021 with Bubba Wallace.
23XI at present fields three full-time entries with Wallace (No. 23), Riley Herbst (No. 35), and Tyler Reddick (No. 45). Heim might be a fourth entry for the workforce that seems all year long.
Heim has seven earlier Cup begins between 2024-2025, 5 of which got here with 23XI. His finest displaying got here within the Bristol Night time Race final yr, ending a formidable sixth. He additionally tried the Chicago Road Course in 2025, however did not make the race, showcasing the peril an open entry can typically face. Nonetheless, past the five hundred, Heim should not discover it troublesome to qualify for many of those deliberate races in 2026.
Heim’s full 2026 NASCAR Cup schedule
Corey Heim, Toyota
Picture by: Logan Riely / Getty Photographs
February 15 — Daytona 500
April 19 — Kansas Speedway
Could 3 — Texas Motor Speedway
Could 24 — Coca-Cola 600 (Charlotte)
Could 31 — Nashville Superspeedway
June 21 — San Diego Road Course
July 5 — Chicagoland Speedway
July 26 — Brickyard 400 (Indianapolis)
August 29 — Daytona Worldwide Speedway
September 6 — Southern 500 (Darlington)
October 11 — Charlotte Motor Speedway
November 8 — Homestead-Miami Speedway finale
“We all know the longer term is actually shiny for Corey, and we’re working with him to make sure that he’s as ready as potential when his time involves race full time,” mentioned Denny Hamlin, co-owner of 23XI Racing. “We’re persevering with to stay to our plan and taking a long-term method, whereas additionally remaining centered on what’s collectively finest for our group and our companions as we glance to proceed being a aggressive, successful group every weekend.” Added Dave Rogers, 23XI Senior Director, Competitors: “Corey’s improvement with the workforce has been spectacular and we admire his persistence and belief in us to arrange him as finest as potential. He has not solely been an incredible scholar however has additionally supplied precious suggestions to our workforce that has helped us develop. We’re wanting ahead to extra races with him this yr as he continues to sharpen his abilities.”
Even when he isn’t racing, Heim “will proceed to be a daily participant in all facets of the competitors workforce as they put together for and analyze races,” famous the workforce’s press launch. He may even run a yet-to-be-announced quantity or Truck races with TRICON in 2026. “I’m excited and honored to proceed my development with 23XI,” mentioned Heim. “Each driver desires to race as a lot as potential, however I’m totally dedicated to the method that I’m taking with the workforce. I sit up for extra Cup races this yr and the chance to develop and increase my race-craft on and off the observe.”
Learn Additionally:
We would like your opinion!
What would you prefer to see on Motorsport.com?
– The Motorsport.com Staff
