In a surprising twist, Corey Heim found himself without a full-time seat as he approached the 2026 NASCAR season. The reigning champion of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series had an exceptional title defense in 2025, setting multiple records, and is widely regarded as one of the most promising talents in the sport, alongside Connor Zilisch.
Nonetheless, Heim’s racing ambitions remain intact for this year. In a recent announcement made on Friday, it was revealed that he will drive an open entry for 23XI Racing, participating in a third of the upcoming NASCAR Cup Series season, totaling 12 races.
Given that the No. 67 Toyota Camry XSE lacks a charter, Heim must qualify for any events that exceed the maximum limit of 40 entries, which includes the prestigious Daytona 500.
His race schedule will feature all four of NASCAR’s premier events. Alongside the iconic Daytona 500, Heim aims to compete in the Coca-Cola 600 set for May, the Brickyard 400 scheduled for July, and the Southern 500 planned for September.
Bootie Barker will serve as Heim’s crew chief during these races. With extensive experience from the pit box, Barker was instrumental when 23XI achieved its inaugural Cup victory in 2021 with driver Bubba Wallace.
Currently, 23XI Racing fields three full-time entries with drivers Wallace (No. 23), Riley Herbst (No. 35), and Tyler Reddick (No. 45). Heim’s addition will bring a fourth entry to the team throughout the season.
Previously, Heim has participated in seven Cup races between 2024 and 2025, with five of those being under the 23XI banner. His top performance came at the Bristol Night Race last year, where he secured an impressive sixth-place finish. Although he attempted to qualify for the Chicago Street Course in 2025, he was unable to make the race, highlighting the challenges faced by open entries. However, aside from the Daytona 500, Heim is expected to qualify for most of his scheduled races in 2026 without significant difficulty.
Corey Heim’s Complete NASCAR Cup Schedule for 2026
Corey Heim, Toyota
Photo by: Logan Riely / Getty Images
- February 15 — Daytona 500
- April 19 — Kansas Speedway
- May 3 — Texas Motor Speedway
- May 24 — Coca-Cola 600 (Charlotte)
- May 31 — Nashville Superspeedway
- June 21 — San Diego Street Course
- July 5 — Chicagoland Speedway
- July 26 — Brickyard 400 (Indianapolis)
- August 29 — Daytona International Speedway
- September 6 — Southern 500 (Darlington)
- October 11 — Charlotte Motor Speedway
- November 8 — Homestead-Miami Speedway finale
“We recognize the promising future that lies ahead for Corey, and we’re committed to ensuring he is well-prepared when he transitions to a full-time role,” stated Denny Hamlin, co-owner of 23XI Racing. “Our focus remains on long-term strategy while ensuring we meet the needs of our organization and partners to remain competitive week in and week out.”
Dave Rogers, the Senior Director of Competition at 23XI, added, “Corey’s growth within the team has been remarkable, and we value his patience and trust as we work to develop his skills. He has been an exceptional learner, providing insightful feedback that has contributed to our progress. We eagerly anticipate more races with him this season as he hones his abilities.”
Even when not on the track, Heim is expected to actively engage with the competition team, participating in preparations and race analysis, according to the team’s press release. Additionally, he will also compete in a yet-to-be-disclosed number of Truck races with TRICON in 2026.
“I’m thrilled and grateful to continue my journey with 23XI,” Heim expressed. “Every driver aspires to race as much as possible, but I am fully dedicated to the path I’ve chosen with the team. I look forward to additional Cup races this year and the chance to enhance my racing skills both on and off the track.”
