Racing enthusiasts have been set abuzz with the recent news from 23XI Racing of Corey Heim’s recruitment to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. While this move is seen as an opportunity to cultivate the budding talent within Toyota’s ranks, recent updates on Heim’s role have sparked some concern.
At just 22, Heim has shown remarkable progress in his NASCAR career. Starting in the Tier 3, Craftsman Truck Series, Heim has not just scored impressive winnings, but also concluded the 2024 season with six race victories and a second-place finish in the championship standings. His remarkable talent earned him spots on top teams such as Kyle Busch Motorsports and Tricon Garage.
Heim’s Cup Series debut came in 2024 as he stepped in for Erik Jones as the interim driver for Legacy Motor Club. He finished 25th at Dover and 22nd at Kansas during his two-race stint. However, a recent post on Reddit suggests that Heim might still not secure a full-time spot in the Cup Series by 2026, despite a multi-year deal with 23XI Racing that includes part-time starts in the NASCAR Cup Series.
In addition to his role in the Cup Series, Heim is also slated to participate in multiple Xfinity Series races with Sam Hunt Racing. His first Cup Series start of the season will be at Kansas Speedway in May, under the leadership of veteran crew chief Bootie Barker. This major step in Heim’s career is expected to lead him towards securing a full-time spot in the Cup Series.
Steve Lauletta, President of 23XI Racing, voiced his optimism about Heim’s future with the team, saying, “Our team was fortunate to work with Corey last year and we look forward to growing our relationship with him as our development driver starting in 2025.” Sam Hunt, the owner of Sam Hunt Racing, echoed these sentiments, expressing his excitement about working with Heim.
Heim himself is thrilled about the opportunity, stating, “It’s a dream come true to be a part of 23XI, and I’m excited for the opportunity to race more Cup and Xfinity races this year. I’m blessed to have the chance to compete in all three series as I continue to set my sights on full-time Cup racing…”
While the move to 23XI Racing is seen as a positive for Heim’s career, some fans have expressed their reservations about the investment. Some voiced concerns over the risk of losing Heim to other teams, with one fan remarking, “Ok Denny, then someone’s probably stealing him. I mean Heim is clearly one of those prospects that don’t come around that often. Are they really going to waste years of his career in trucks?”
Despite these concerns, Heim’s performance in the Truck Series, boasting 12 wins, has solidified his status as a top prospect. As such, calls for Denny Hamlin to secure a full-time seat for him are growing louder. One fan even speculated on the likelihood of Heim going full-time with SHR next year, given his strong performance in the Xfinity Series and his close relationship with Sam Hunt.
The speculation of Dodge’s return to NASCAR by 2026 or 2027 has added another layer to the conversation. Fans speculate that Dodge, being a new manufacturer, would seek top drivers to compete effectively with established teams, making Heim a potential target.
Fans also expressed wishes for Heim’s continued success, with one stating, “Somebody needs to rescue that man,” hinting at concerns over Heim’s current developmental path. As it stands, the future of Corey Heim remains a hot topic in the NASCAR community.
