Many have been left shocked by the truth that Corey Heim was and not using a full-time trip coming 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 prime prospect alongside Connor Zilisch.
Nevertheless, that does not imply Heim will not be racing this yr. In a Friday announcement, we realized that Heim might be piloting an open entry for 23XI Racing, and is about 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 should qualify his approach into any races exceeding the utmost 40 entries (together with the Daytona 500).
Heim’s schedule will embrace all 4 of NASCAR’s crown jewel occasions. Along with the 68th working of the Daytona 500, he may also 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 staff that seems all year long.
Heim has seven earlier Cup begins between 2024-2025, 5 of which got here with 23XI. His finest exhibiting got here within the Bristol Night time Race final yr, ending a powerful sixth. He additionally tried the Chicago Avenue Course in 2025, however didn’t make the race, showcasing the peril an open entry can generally face. Nevertheless, past the five hundred, Heim should not discover it tough to qualify for many of those deliberate races in 2026.
Heim’s full 2026 NASCAR Cup schedule
Corey Heim, Toyota
Photograph by: Logan Riely / Getty Photos
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 Avenue 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 long run is absolutely brilliant 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,” stated 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 staff has been spectacular and we admire his persistence and belief in us to organize him as finest as potential. He has not solely been an important pupil however has additionally supplied invaluable suggestions to our staff that has helped us develop. We’re wanting ahead to extra races with him this yr as he continues to sharpen his expertise.”
Even when he isn’t racing, Heim “will proceed to be an everyday participant in all facets of the competitors staff as they put together for and analyze races,” famous the staff’s press launch. He may also 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,” stated Heim. “Each driver needs to race as a lot as potential, however I’m absolutely dedicated to the method that I’m taking with the staff. I look ahead to extra Cup races this yr and the chance to develop and broaden my race-craft on and off the monitor.”
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