Recently, 23XI Racing made an exciting announcement about getting the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Corey Heim, on board. While this could be a strategic move to nurture the young talent within the Toyota family, the latest updates on Heim’s status in the team led the way for concerning views. 

Despite being only 22 years old, Heim has already progressed well in his NASCAR career. Starting with the Tier 3, Craftsman Truck Series. He, aside from boasting considerable winnings, has ended a season in 2024 with huge accolades of winning six races and placing second in the championship standings. Other than this, he was signed up for the top teams; Kyle Busch Motorsports and Tricon Garage as potential talents.

In 2024, Heim made his Cup Series debut with Legacy Motor Club, serving as the interim driver for Erik Jones for two races because of injury, finishing 25th at Dover and 22nd at Kansas.

But now, as per this NASCAR post on Reddit, “Denny Hamlin says Corey Heim will also run cup races for 23XI next year, implying that Heim will still not be full-time in Cup in 2026.” For now, Corey Heim and his multi-year deal include part-time starts in the NASCAR Cup Series, where the driver will drive the No. 67 Toyota.

Other than this, he will also get hands-on multiple races in the Xfinity Series with Sam Hunt Racing. Kansas Speedway in May will host Heim’s first Cup Series start of the season, with veteran crew chief Bootie Barker leading the team. This move marks a significant step in Heim’s career development. Not just for him, but even the team feels confident. 

“Our team was fortunate to work with Corey last year and we look forward to growing our relationship with him as our development driver starting in 2025,” said Steve Lauletta, President of 23XI Racing. Additionally, Sam Hunt, the owner of Sam Hunt Racing also noted, “I couldn’t be more excited to have Corey back with us at SHR this year, working alongside 23XI on his professional development, Corey has become like a little brother to me — we understand each other’s journeys, and he genuinely cares about the growth and success of SHR long-term.”

Additionally, Corey himself has expressed his gratitude towards the same stating, “It’s a dream come true to be a part of 23XI, and I’m excited for the opportunity to race more Cup and Xfinity races this year. I’m blessed to have the chance to compete in all three series as I continue to set my sights on full-time Cup racing when that time comes…The success that 23XI has shown in only a few short years has been impressive and I’m excited to learn from the organization. I’m also grateful to everyone at Toyota for their ongoing support in my development both on and off the track, and I look forward to strengthening that relationship for years to come.”

23XI Racing integrated Heim and introduced him to their young driver development program. While this is good for the driver’s future and teams who believe in him, the majority of fans think that he might be not a good investment.

Big concern over 23XI Racing’s new participation

Fans reacted to the Reddit post and expressed their concern. One fan explained, “Ok Denny, then someone’s probably stealing him lm-o. I mean Heim is clearly one of those prospects that don’t come around that often are they really going to waste years of his career in trucks? What more does he need to do?” While that is a big concern indeed, we must not forget that Heim has already shown impressive skills, winning multiple races and finishing second in the championship standings. 

Another fan wrote, “Feels like Toyota is going to lose their best prospect here.” Heim’s impressive performance in the Truck Series, with 12 wins, has positioned him as a top prospect. So, maybe Denny Hamlin should give him a full-time seat. The competitive nature of NASCAR heightens this sentiment because multiple teams aggressively pursue top talent, potentially costing Toyota its investment in Heim’s development.

Another fan commented, “I’m assuming Heim will go full-time in Xfinity with SHR next year” Corey Heim and Sam Hunt share a good bond, Hunt called him “like his brother,” so chances are, if the Lawsuit keeps going, the driver might go to SHR full-time. might go full-time. He has already shown strong performance in the Xfinity Series, including three top-five and five top-ten finishes in 17 starts.

One fan gave insights into the speculation about Dodge returning to NASCAR, potentially as early as 2026 through the Truck Series and by 2027 or 2028 in the Cup Series, suggesting they will likely seek talented drivers to bolster their team. As a new manufacturer, Dodge would need to attract top drivers to compete effectively against established teams like Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota, making Corey Heim and other promising drivers potential targets. As he wrote, “Just saying now that it’s been floating around that Dodge may be coming back, they’re gonna want drivers…”

The last comment simply reflects on the well-wishing aspect for Corey Heim. “Somebody needs to rescue that man,” the fan here is hinting that Heim’s career is being hindered by his current developmental path.