Corey Heim is poised to step into a full‑time role with 23XI Racing for the 2027 NASCAR Cup Series, taking the seat that will be vacated by Riley Herbst. The move comes after a promising part‑time campaign that has already yielded his first career victory.
Heim's 2026 Calendar Takes Shape
Heim's part‑time schedule in 2026 includes seven starts, the most recent of which saw him finish ninth at Chicagoland Speedway, marking his best performance on an oval this year. Earlier in the season he captured his maiden Cup win at the inaugural race on the streets of Naval Base Coronado, and his sixth‑place finish at Bristol Motor Speedway in September 2025 remains his highest oval result to date.
The upcoming weekend will see Heim absent from the Quaker State 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, a race for which neither of the two non‑chartered entries from the previous Chicagoland event will appear on the official list. Instead, the open slots will be filled by the No. 66 Garage 66 Ford driven by Chad Finchum and the No. 78 Live Fast Motorsports Chevrolet piloted by B.J. McLeod.
Heim will resume competition at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, July 26, before heading to Daytona International Speedway on August 29, Darlington Raceway on September 6, Charlotte Motor Speedway on October 11, and finally Homestead‑Miami Speedway on November 8 to close out the 2026 season.
Fans can catch the live broadcast of the Quaker State 400 on TNT Sports, with coverage kicking off at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The network’s involvement underscores the growing visibility of the series and the emerging talents set to shape its future.