[REVISION HISTORY]

Corey Heim development at 23XI Racing

Updated 5 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-08-17 01:35 UTC → 2026-08-21 16:50 UTC · added ~~removed~~

23XI Racing’s part-time program for 23-year-old Corey Heim has validated the team’s driver development strategy. After transitioning from a dominant Truck Series championship, Heim secured two Cup victories in 2026, including wins at Naval Base Coronado and Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Team president Steve Lauletta noted that the disciplined approach allowed Heim to “take all of that in stride,” adding that his success makes the team “look like we knew what we were doing.” Heim is slated to move into a full-time No. 35 Toyota Camry seat in 2027, replacing Riley Herbst. However, the leadership structure remains uncertain as owners Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan weigh whether to retain crew chief Bootie Barker. Barker was recently moved into a senior role, and former driver Kenny Wallace warned that Barker may not wish to commit to a full 36-race schedule. As a leading contender for the 2026 playoffs, Heim has become a vocal figure regarding NASCAR’s postseason evolution. Despite having been disadvantaged by the “win-to-advance” system during a 2024 Truck Series campaign where he won 12 of 25 races but fell short of the title, Heim has defended the concept as a “legitimate path to the title.” This coincides with NASCAR’s implementation of ‘The Chase’ for 2026, a format prioritizing points accumulation over automatic berths from regular-season wins. Heim has also criticized recent rule changes that render him ineligible for the Cup Series Rookie of the Year award. Because he has completed 15 Cup starts—exceeding the 12-start limit—and failed to formally apply for candidacy for the 2026 season, he will be disqualified from rookie contention during his 2027 debut. Heim stated at Richmond Raceway that the new stipulations diminish the honor, saying, “If you want that award to mean something... make it worth something, and it’s losing its value.”

Versions

Only revisions since CLSTR began indexing content versions appear here. Select a version to see what changed compared to the one before it.