Corey Heim Set to Compete Full-Time in the NASCAR Cup Series for 23XI Racing in 2027 – 23XI Media Photo
23XI’s First Development Driver Moves to Cup in the No. 35
Becoming Team’s Fifth Overall Full-Time Driver
Huntersville, N.C. (May 30, 2026) – 23XI Racing announced today that
Corey Heim, the team’s current development driver and the reigning
NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series champion, will compete full-time in the
NASCAR Cup Series with 23XI starting in 2027. To date, Heim has raced in
nine Cup Series events with 23XI, including the 2026 Daytona 500. This
weekend, Heim returns for the third time to Nashville Superspeedway, the
track where he made his first Cup Series start with 23XI. This will be
Heim’s fifth of 12 Cup Series races he will run in the No. 67 during
the 2026 season. Heim will compete in the No. 35 Toyota Camry XSE next
year when he embarks on his first full-time Cup Series season.
The Marietta, Georgia-born driver, who has been a member of the TOYOTA RACING
family since 2020 when he competed in the ARCA Menards Series, moves to
full-time Cup racing after several seasons in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck
Series. After making his initial Truck Series start in 2021, Heim
notched his first series victory the following season and went on to win
a total of 25 Truck races, the fourth-most all-time. After strong
seasons in 2023 and 2024, Heim capped off his final full-time year in
the Truck Series by winning the 2025 Championship. He is also a two-time
Truck Series Regular Season Champion and the 2022 Rookie of the Year.
Heim began his relationship with 23XI in 2024, serving as the team’s
reserve driver and competing in one race at Nashville Superspeedway,
while also racing in 13 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series events. In
2025, Heim’s role with the team expanded to include development-driver
duties and an increased schedule of four races, including a sixth-place
finish in the Fall race at Bristol. This year, Heim’s schedule
increased again to 12 total Cup Series starts, of which he has already
made four.
Heim joins a still-growing team, both within 23XI and the NASCAR
garage. The No. 35 team began racing last season, with Riley Herbst
joining 23XI to drive the car during his rookie campaign in the Cup
Series. Fielding a third car was always part of the plan for 23XI, and
Herbst and the No. 35 team have played a key role in the
organization’s growth while helping build a strong foundation for the
program’s future. Heim’s promotion comes after a deliberate decision
to give him time to focus on developing his racecraft through a limited
schedule as he prepared for the rigors of a full-time Cup Series
schedule.
“Since I was five years old, all I ever wanted was to be a Cup
driver. My family and I have sacrificed a ton to get me to this level,
and I don’t take that for granted. When the opportunity came up to be a
development driver with 23XI Racing, I trusted my gut and knew this was
the place I wanted to build a long-term career. From everyone at 23XI to
the team at TOYOTA RACING, I’ve been blessed to have support from so
many people along the way. I can’t wait for the 2027 season to begin.”
“We’re excited to welcome Corey to our full-time roster next season
and look forward to watching him race every weekend in 2027,” said
23XI co-owner, Denny Hamlin. “Corey is a gifted driver who is
continuing to get better and better with each race he runs. He has a
bright future in the sport and joins a team that is continuing to build
a solid foundation. We’re thankful to Riley for all he has done to
help get the 35-team going and appreciate the work that he and the team
will continue to do this season to be competitive each week.”
“Corey is truly a special talent that we have enjoyed watching grow
and develop over the past several years,” said Tyler Gibbs, president,
TRD U.S.A. “He is an example of trusting the process and he has more
than earned this full-time Cup Series ride due to his hard work and
dedication to his craft. We couldn’t be prouder of Corey and what he
has already achieved. With the support he will have at 23XI Racing,
everyone at Toyota and TRD has full confidence that he is in the
position to continue building on his success in the years to come.”
“As 23XI continues to grow and evolve, we’re excited to introduce
Corey as a full-time driver in 2027,” said Steve Lauletta, 23XI Team
President. “He has already been a valuable member of the team as our
development driver, and we’re eager for his Cup Series career to begin
next season. Expanding to three cars last year was a major step for our
team, and we look forward to 23XI’s continued evolution with Corey
behind the wheel full time.”
More information about team personnel and partners will be shared at a
later date. Currently, Corey and the No. 67 team are supported by
Celsius, Robinhood, Mobil 1, Field & Stream, Chief’s on Broadway and
Fleetio.
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