Corey Heim has been signed by 23XI Racing to become a full‑time NASCAR Cup Series driver for the 2027 season, the team announced on Tuesday. The move sees the 23‑year‑old from Marietta, Georgia, take over the No. 35 Toyota previously driven by Riley Herbst, who is expected to shift to Legacy Motor Club.
A New Chapter for 23XI Racing
Heim arrives after a breakout year in the NASCAR Truck Series, where he captured the championship with a record twelve victories and finished fifth on the all‑time win list with twenty‑five career Truck wins. His sixth‑place finish at Bristol Motor Speedway highlighted a steep learning curve that began in Atlanta’s Legends car ranks and propelled him through the CARS Tour, ARCA, and finally the Cup Series, where he has already contested eleven races.
Team co‑owners Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, who have been courting Heim for months, expressed confidence in the young talent. “We’ve watched Corey develop race after race, and we believe he has the potential to become a staple in our lineup,” Hamlin said in the announcement. Jordan echoed the sentiment, noting that Heim’s blend of raw speed and steady progress fits the vision of a championship‑contending organization.
Heim will join a driver roster that currently features Tyler Reddick, the points leader, and Bubba Wallace, who sits just above the playoff cutoff. The pairing promises a dynamic mix of youthful vigor and veteran poise as 23XI Racing aims to extend its recent surge in performance.