NASCAR Truck Series driver Corey Heim. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Corey Heim's presumptive 2026 NASCAR plans revealed

By Samuel Stubbs | Last updated Jan 16, 2026 3:28 PM ET

Corey Heim won't be full-time in any NASCAR series in 2026, but he'll still be gaining some valuable experience behind the wheel.

On Friday, Fox Sports' Bob Pockrass reported that he is "expecting" for Heim to run "more than 10" NASCAR Cup Series races in 2026 with 23XI Racing and also compete in some NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races.

The 23-year-old from Marietta, Ga., has made seven Cup Series starts, including four in 2024 with 23XI. Most of his NASCAR success has come in the Truck Series, however, where he's won 23 races in 89 starts and made the Championship 4 in all three of his full-time campaigns.

Is this a good deal for Corey Heim?

While Heim won't get to run a full season in any of NASCAR's top-three series, the news that he'll be competing in nearly a third of the Cup Series season is positive.

Yes. Expecting several Cup races (more than 10) for Corey Heim for 23XI Racing and some truck starts. Won't be full time in a specific series. https://t.co/xHuii95mo2
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) January 16, 2026

Cup Series experience will be invaluable to Heim when he eventually lands a full-time Cup Series ride — which could happen as soon as 2027 should 23XI decide to let Riley Herbst go.

Truck Series starts will give Heim the opportunity to chase checkered flags and get some momentum behind him going into 2027, which could finally be the year he makes an anticipated jump to full-time Cup Series racing.

Samuel Stubbs

Hailing from the same neck of the woods as NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin, Samuel has been covering NASCAR for Yardbarker since February 2024. He has been a member of the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) since October of 2024. When he’s not writing about racing, Samuel covers Arkansas Razorback basketball for Yardbarker

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