Heim finally gets full-time Cup Series ride with 23XI Racing

23XI Racing made it official Saturday that Corey Heim will be a full-time driver in its stable beginning in 2027. Heim, 23, will pilot the No. 35 Toyota Camry. He will replace Riley Herbst.

“Since I was five years old, all I ever wanted was to be a Cup driver,” Heim said. “My family and I have sacrificed a ton to get me to this level, and I don't take that for granted. When the opportunity came up to be a development driver with 23XI Racing, I trusted my gut and knew this was the place I wanted to build a long-term career. From everyone at 23XI to the team at Toyota Racing, I've been blessed to have support from so many people along the way. I can't wait for the 2027 season to begin.”

23XI Racing signed Heim to a multiyear development deal at the start of the 2025 season after he was brought on board in 2024 as a reserve driver. Already a Toyota development driver, Heim had burst into superstardom in 2022 in the Craftsman Truck Series with two victories in 16 starts before scoring 21 more in the ensuing three seasons. Heim captured the championship season last year with a single-season record of 12 wins and 21 top-10 finishes in 25 starts.

Heim also ran four Cup Series races with 23XI Racing, scoring a career-best sixth-place finish at Bristol Motor Speedway. But he also failed to qualify for the Chicago street race. He made his series debut in 2024 as a substitute driver for the injured Erik Jones at Dover Motor Speedway and Kansas Speedway before joining 23XI Racing for a third race at Nashville Superspeedway.

“We’re excited to welcome Corey to our full-time roster next season and look forward to watching him race every weekend in 2027,” said co-owner Denny Hamlin. “Corey is a gifted driver who is continuing to get better and better with each race he runs. He has a bright future in the sport and joins a team that is continuing to build a solid foundation. We’re thankful to Riley for all he has done to help get the 35 team going and appreciate the work that he and the team will continue to do this season to be competitive each week.”

“As 23XI continues to grow and evolve, we’re excited to introduce Corey as a full-time driver in 2027,” said Steve Lauletta, 23XI president. “He has already been a valuable member of the team as our development driver, and we’re eager for his Cup Series career to begin next season. Expanding to three cars last year was a major step for our team, and we look forward to 23XI’s continued evolution with Corey behind the wheel full time.”

Sunday at Nashville will be Heim’s 12th career start in the series. It will be his fifth of 12 starts scheduled for this season.

23XI Racing will field three entries next season as Heim joins the championship point leader, Daytona 500 champion, Tyler Reddick, and the reigning Brickyard 400 champion, Bubba Wallace.

“Corey is truly a special talent that we have enjoyed watching grow and develop over the past several years,” said Tyler Gibbs, president, TRD U.S.A. "He is an example of trusting the process and he has more than earned this full-time Cup Series ride due to his hard work and dedication to his craft. We couldn’t be prouder of Corey and what he has already achieved. With the support he will have at 23XI Racing, everyone at Toyota and TRD has full confidence that he is in the position to continue building on his success in the years to come.”