Corey Heim will step into the NASCAR Cup Series full‑time in 2027, signing a multi‑year contract with 23XI Racing, a team that already fields Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace.
Strategic Vision at 23XI Racing
Team co‑owners Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan have long courted Heim, seeing in him a cornerstone for the organization’s future. Both have praised his patience, maturity and race craft, qualities they believe will translate into immediate on‑track impact.
Heim is slated to take the wheel of the No. 35 car, though the team has indicated the number could shift to 25 as the season progresses, pending sponsor and operational considerations.
The program includes a robust schedule across the Xfinity and Truck Series, designed to sharpen Heim’s craft and prepare him for the demands of the Cup level.
Hamlin has repeatedly highlighted Heim’s measured approach, comparing his development to that of Tyler Reddick, and noting that the driver’s professionalism aligns with the team’s long‑term objectives.
Heim has expressed a desire to remain with 23XI Racing for the foreseeable future, emphasizing the importance of a consistent number to build his identity on track and to stay within Toyota’s driver development pipeline.