With six wins under his belt, a pole position at Homestead, and a knack for championship-level consistency, Corey Heim has proven he’s no ordinary talent. His rise through the ranks made him a strong contender for a Cup Series seat. However, will 2025 be the year the Heim finds himself a Cup Series drive?

But in a surprising twist, Heim has taken a detour that has fans and insiders confused. Could this unexpected decision signal bigger changes ahead for 23XI Racing and Michael Jordan’s involvement in NASCAR? What does this mean for Heim’s career in NASCAR?

Where is Corey Heim racing in 2025?

As whispers floated around NASCAR about Corey Heim possibly leaping the Cup Series, fans were buzzing. Given that Heim entered the Truck Series finale at Phoenix without a definite route for his future, rumors buzzed and fans floated around them with excitement. Could Heim be a future 23XI driver? With Michael Jordan’s future in NASCAR up in the air, the idea of a young talent like Heim joining the big leagues added some spice to the speculation.

But Corey Heim just threw a curveball and instead of chasing Cup Series glory, he’s staying put with TRICON Garage for another full-time season in the Truck Series. The news dropped like a plot twist in a movie as the team announced X. TRICON even tweeted, “Here to stay,” making it clear that they’re thrilled to have Heim back for a third year. The chance to join 23XI Racing and race alongside stars like Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace might still be on the horizon, but for now, Heim’s staying true to TRICON.

Given 23XI’s ongoing battle with NASCAR, a third charter would have been a difficult prospect for the team. At the moment, Michael Jordan and Co. are fighting to retain their current charters, with the lawsuit in full swing. Given the difficult addition of a third car, 23XI Racing also has two drivers who look like they’re here to stay. Bubba Wallace received his extension recently, and with Tyler Reddick’s presence in the Top 4, the team may not be too keen on replacing either driver.

With Tricon, Heim has made it into the finals of the Truck Series, and looking at his momentum, there is a strong chance that he might win the title. Although Phoenix has not been one of his best tracks, Heim has managed to secure a 7th-place finish there in 2022. While ARCA is quite a different series of Stock car racing, Heim has managed to finish 2nd at Phoenix in the past.

What does Heim have to say about continuing in Tricon?

Currently, Corey Heim is one of the four championship contenders set to battle it out at Phoenix Raceway for the series title on Friday night. Reflecting on his journey with Tricon, Heim shared his excitement, saying, “I am excited to be back with Tricon for my third full-time year. I have developed so much alongside this organization in the last two years, and we have made some incredible memories along the way. I can’t wait to continue this journey in 2025 with my No. 11 crew.”

Heim’s path to success has been nothing short of impressive. He began his NASCAR national series career with Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM), where he snagged his first win at Atlanta Motor Speedway in 2021. After KBM closed its doors, Heim moved to Tricon and instantly made his mark, collecting three wins in 2023 with a stellar average finish of 6.8.

This season, he’s doubled his victories, taking six checkered flags in 22 races and dabbling in select Xfinity and Cup Series starts with Legacy Motor Club, 23XI Racing, and Sam Hunt Racing. “We’re extremely fortunate to get another year with Corey,” said Tricon’s general manager Kevin Ray.

“His dedication to not only the No. 11 team but the entire organization has elevated TRICON beyond measure in our team’s short history. While we’re looking forward to 2025, our priority remains on closing out this season with a victory and our program’s first championship,” added Ray. With that said, do you think that this was the right move for Corey Heim? Share your thoughts in the comments below.