Corey Heim, the young development driver for 23XI Racing, has been making waves in the Craftsman Truck Series this season, collecting three victories in just five starts and climbing to eleventh in the championship standings.
This weekend he is slated to make his Cup Series debut on the brand‑new street circuit that winds through Naval Base Coronado in San Diego, California, a venue that promises a fresh challenge for the series.
A Legend Steps In
In a surprise move, seven‑time Cup champion Jimmie Johnson will take the wheel of Heim’s No. 1 Toyota for Tricon Garage in the Truck Series race, while also lining up for his final scheduled Cup start of the year on Sunday.
Johnson’s only other Truck start came eighteen years ago at Bristol Motor Speedway with Randy Moss Motorsports, a fact that underscores the rarity of his upcoming appearance.
The partnership highlights the close ties between the driver development programs of 23XI Racing and the veteran’s own racing ambitions, as Johnson looks to cap his career with a final Daytona 500 showdown in 2027.
Looking Ahead
Tricon Garage has yet to announce any further drivers for the No. 1 Toyota, and the Truck Series will soon face a pair of off‑weekends after the San Diego event, leaving teams to regroup for the next stretch of the schedule.
Meanwhile, Heim remains focused on defending his 12‑win championship season, a campaign that began with a dominant performance at Michigan earlier this year.