Insider gives ‘likely plan’ for Corey Heim in 2026 NASCAR season

Corey Heim feels like a star in the making in NASCAR. However, his full-time Cup Series career remains on hold ahead of the 2026 season.

According to Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic, there are plans for Heim to race in the Cup Series, but only a part-time schedule next season. He may be ready and willing to make the jump, but evidently, there isn’t a seat for him ready for next year.

“The likely plan for Heim, according to industry sources, is a combination schedule where he runs select races in all three national series — in the Cup Series for 23XI Racing, in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series for Sam Hunt Racing and in the Truck Series for Tricon,” Bianchi reported.

“This is not necessarily what Heim deserves, as most everyone within the Cup Series garage acknowledges he is ready for a full-time ride now, but a combination of no open seats in Cup and a lack of sponsorship means he’ll have to wait until 2027 before advancing to Cup full-time, which is expected to happen. And if the right funding can be secured, Heim racing full-time in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series next year is still on the table.”

Alas, Heim has been driving in the Truck Series full-time since 2023, winning the regular season title twice, including this year. He competed in two Cup Series races for Legacy last year while driving for 23XI Racing in one race. This year, Heim has competed in two Cup races for 23XI. 

Earlier this month, FOX Sports NASCAR insider Bob Pockrass corroborated Bianchi’s reporting, stating that Heim won’t be in the Cup Series next year, but the Xfinity Series could be an option.

“Heim has dominated the trucks this year with five wins and 10 top fives in 16 starts,” Pockrass wrote. “He clinched the regular-season points title with two races left. Already signed with 23XI Racing, he will likely have to wait until 2027 to be in a Cup car full-time. Whether he’s in an Xfinity car full-time in 2026 is still TBD.”

Whether it’s 23XI Racing or elsewhere, Heim feels ready to move to the next chapter of his career. It’s a bit of a shame he won’t have the opportunity to do it next season.

Regardless, he remains held in high regard in NASCAR circles, and the Toyota wheelman will be a popular pick for each open seat that becomes available moving forward. When the time comes for Heim to make the jump to the Cup Series, he certainly won’t squander the opportunity.

— On3’s Brian Jones contributed to this article.