A Calculated Rollout
Jordan Bianchi, a veteran NASCAR reporter, has highlighted how 23XI Racing is approaching the integration of Corey Heim into the Cup Series with a deliberate, experience‑building strategy. Rather than thrusting the 2025 Truck Series standout into a full‑time role immediately, the team plans a phased introduction that prioritizes on‑track learning.
Heim enters the 2026 season with a slate of 12 Cup starts, a schedule designed to accumulate mileage, refine setups and build relationships with crew members. This measured exposure comes after a dominant Truck Series campaign in which he posted 12 victories, led 1,627 laps and captured 23 stage wins, establishing him as one of the division’s most promising prospects.
The move also reflects the underperformance of Riley Herbst, 23XI’s third full‑time driver in 2025, who failed to break into the top‑10 and posted a low average finishing position. The team sees Heim’s limited schedule as an opportunity to inject fresh momentum into the No. 35 entry, which will benefit from the additional experience gained by both the driver and the organization before a full‑time commitment in 2027.
Beyond the on‑track objectives, the arrangement underscores 23XI Racing’s broader philosophy of nurturing talent through strategic planning. By pairing Heim with a stable platform and allowing incremental exposure, the organization aims to maximize his development while ensuring the No. 35 team accrues the necessary experience to compete more effectively in upcoming seasons.