Corey Heim ineligible for NASCAR Rookie of the Year award

Corey Heim will be ineligible for the NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year award during his first full-time season in 2027. Despite his recent success, including two Cup Series victories, Heim has already surpassed the threshold for rookie eligibility.

NASCAR recently implemented a rule stating that drivers may have no more than 12 starts in the Cup Series prior to their rookie season to qualify for the award. Heim has already completed 15 starts. Additionally, Heim is ineligible for the award this current season because he did not formally apply for candidacy before the campaign began.

Industry insiders noted that Heim’s decision not to apply for Cup points earlier may have been related to his ability to participate in data-gathering tests. The ruling has drawn scrutiny from fans, some of whom pointed to previous drivers who competed for the award despite having more starts in prior seasons.