Corey Heim roared to victory at the Brickyard 400, delivering his second win of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series and etching his name into a rare slice of history. No driver in more than six decades had secured a Cup triumph within his first 15 starts, and Heim’s achievement came aboard 23XI Racing, the team co‑owned by basketball legend A.J. Foyt and NBA star Michael Jordan.
A Milestone at the Brickyard
The win not only highlighted Heim’s rapid adaptation to stock‑car racing but also cemented his status as one of the team’s three full‑time drivers beginning in 2027. The performance was all the more impressive given his limited prior experience in the national series, having finished third in a single Xfinity start the previous year.
Despite the excitement, the schedule presented an unexpected hurdle. The upcoming Cup event at Iowa Speedway will see Heim absent from the grid because no open cars are slated for the entry list, a scenario that stands out as uncommon in the modern era of the sport.
Future Plans and New Ride
Heim is slated to return to the Cup Series for the regular‑season finale at Daytona International Speedway on August 29, 2026. He previously contested the Daytona 500 earlier in the year, finishing 28th after leading laps and showing strong early‑race pace. The schedule will then usher him into a trio of playoff showdowns at Darlington, Charlotte and Homestead‑Miami Speedway before the season concludes.
Beyond the Cup schedule, Heim will assume the famed No. 35 Toyota in 2027, a car that has been piloted full‑time by Riley Herbst in recent seasons. His debut in the role will commence with the Clash exhibition race, a prelude to the Daytona 500, signaling a fresh chapter for both driver and team.
Heim’s résumé also includes a championship in the Craftsman Truck Series, where he captured 12 victories across 25 races and continues to compete part‑time for Tronon Garage. The combination of his Truck Series success and his emerging Cup program positions him as a driver to watch in the coming years.
Broadcast and Legacy
The Iowa Corn 350, which will feature Heim’s absence, is set to air live on USA Network, with coverage beginning at 3:30 p.m. ET. The broadcast will carry the weight of history, recalling the last time a driver achieved such an early Cup victory — a feat once accomplished by A.J. Foyt, whose legacy remains intertwined with the sport’s rich narrative.