“I want to be in the cup series,” Corey Heim revealed his ultimate goal when he joined TRICON Racing for another year in 2024. His comments came at a time when the NASCAR world was buzzing with rumors of his feud with Joe Gibbs’ grandson Ty Gibbs. Many in the industry believed Joe Gibbs Racing overlooked the Toyota prodigy because of his long-standing rivalry with Gibbs. While Heim declined all the speculations, the differences were visible.

In 2024, Toyota didn’t offer a single run to Heim while other drivers like Taylor Gray and Joe Graf Jr got their shot. Speaking about the issue, he had said, “I feel like that topic is so over-pushed. I don’t think there’s been any lack of opportunities for me in the past, and I don’t think there will be any lack of opportunities going forward either.” Now, that belief is turning into reality.

In a major shake-up, Heim has landed a part-time Cup Series ride with 23XI Racing. The team co-owned by Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan has signed him for select races in the ongoing 2025 season. Just hours before the Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, 23XI Racing announced that Corey Heim would pilot the No. 67 Toyota. However, this move came as a major shock for many because of their ongoing legal battle with NASCAR.

While some fans saw it as a long-overdue opportunity for a talented driver, others questioned the timing. However, some believe that Heim’s move could be a long-term play. “I got a feeling Corey will be the fourth full-time driver considering Ty doesn’t want him at JGR,” one fan speculated. Notably, in 2025, 23XI Racing expanded its garage to three teams. Despite the legal challenges, Denny Hamlin and Co. added No.35 Toyota for rookie Riley Herbst.

Meanwhile, for Heim, the opportunity is a dream come true. “It’s a dream to be part of 23XI, and I’m excited for the opportunity to race more Cup and Xfinity races this year. The success that 23XI has shown in only a few short years has been impressive, and I’m excited to learn from the organization,” says Heim. Notably, he will be joined by Veteran crew chief Robert “Bootie” Barker. He had been with Bubba Wallace for three years before moving to 23XI’s competition department. His experience could prove invaluable as Heim makes the transition.

Apart from the Cup series ride, Corey Heim will also receive a shot in the Xfinity Series. He will join Sam Hunt Racing (SHR) in a Toyota GR Supra supported by 23XI. His first Xfinity race of the season will take place next week at the Circuit of The Americas, but 23XI has yet to announce his Cup schedule. Notably, in 2024, Heim started 13 races for SHR and had three top 5 and five top 10 finishes. He also had three Cup starts in 2024. Two came as a replacement for Erik Jones and one for 23XI’s No.50.

Notably, Corey Heim’s stats speak for themselves. At just 22 years old, he has already built an impressive career. He has won 12 times in the Truck Series and made back-to-back Championship 4 appearances. He is also the youngest driver in NASCAR to have more than 10 wins in Truck series. His amazing performance has already impressed fans who are excited about his return to Cup series with 23XI.

Fans rally behind Corey Heim amid lawsuit fears!

As soon as the news broke, NASCAR fans flooded social media with their reactions. For those who have followed Heim’s career, this was a long-overdue step forward. His performance in trucks and Xfinity showed he had the talent to compete at the highest level, and Denny Hamlin’s willingness to give him that opportunity earned widespread praise. A user wrote, “Thank you Denny for giving talented individuals an opportunity! LFG!”

Another user echoed the sentiments, “Thank you Denny so glad he’s staying with Toyota and not Chevy or Ford.” Notably, When JGR ignored Heim, many thought he might move to Chevrolet or Ford. We’ve seen drivers like Zane Smith and Hailie Deegan jump ships in the past which didn’t end well in the long run. But Denny Hamlin’s 23XI Racing ensured he stayed within Toyota’s development pipeline. But, the question now begs – Is everything alright between him and Ty Gibbs? “Glad to see he gets at least some shot at Cup. Lord knows Gibbs wasn’t gonna let him sniff it with the beef with Ty,” one fan pointed out.

Amid the excitement, the biggest question mark remains 23XI Racing’s lawsuit against NASCAR. Some fans believe Heim’s signing undermines their legal claims. “This just hurts their court case. Courts will side with NASCAR seeing Jordan continuing to spend like Jordan,” one fan argued. Notably, 23XI along with Front Row Motorsports had accused NASCAR of being monopolistic. With recent expansions, fans feel that this might hurt their case.

However, the overall feeling was positive for Heim as he got a much-deserved opportunity. A user summed up all the excitement, saying, “Nice! Great opportunity for a great young driver! Tear it up!” Heim’s journey to the Cup Series has been anything but straightforward, but with 23XI Racing behind him, he has a chance to prove himself. He was linked with 23XI Racing throughout the off-season as the third driver, but with Herbst moving in he will have to settle for a part-time role.