“He deserves it. I’m glad that he chose 23XI,” were the words of Denny Hamlin after signing Corey Heim on a part-time role in the Cup Series. The 22-year-old driver has all the makings of the top NASCAR drivers but lack of opportunities and being sidelined by Joe Gibbs Racing has somewhat stalled his progress. Despite being a top TRD driver, for some reason, Heim hasn’t been in the good books of JGR, but he’s finally getting a shot with 23XI Racing, albeit in a part-time capacity.

There’s an interesting dynamics at play in the Cup Series when it comes to opportunities in the Cup Series. Apart from talent, sponsorship money and family ties play a big role for young drivers to make that transition. We saw this scenario play out when Riley Herbst was able to bag the third full-time ride at 23XI Racing over Heim. Another element that plays a major role in shaping a driver’s future trajectory in on-track incidents. And let’s just say, Heim has a history of influencing the outcome of the major events.

Corey Heim didn’t paint a good picture of himself during the 2023 championship race

The Truck Series is notorious for drivers losing their calm and resorting to more than just bump and run. Something similar of sorts happened during the 2023 Truck Series championship race in Phoenix. Grant Enfinger was just three laps away from championship glory but Corey Heim and Carson Hocevar had other ideas. The 23XI Racing star got a payback on Hocevar, running him into the wall. This was his retaliation after being wrecked by Hocevar early in the race.

Enfinger had carved up a five-car length on his closest rival Ben Rhodes, but the payback move by Heim brought out the caution. This sparked off four overtimes and Enfinger’s truck couldn’t withstand the melee. All Rhodes had to do was defend his position and he did just that and claim the championship. Had it not been for Heim’s stupid retaliation move, the Fairhope Alabama native could’ve had his moment of NASCAR glory.

Heim was fined $12,500 and docked 25 points in the Truck Series driver standings. However, many fans felt that he crossed the line and spoiled Enfinger’s legitimate shot at the championship. This background story does play a huge role given how Heim’s Cup Series dream, and this got fans on Reddit talking. Not everyone feels that Heim was the only one to be blamed for the chaotic race in Phoenix. Moreover, the treatment he received from Toyota camp isn’t fair given that he’s one of their top talents.

“What did Corey Heim do to pi– people off?” These comments sparked a conversation on Reddit. And surprisingly many of the fans rallied in support of Heim, highlighting why his career has been stalled with interesting theories.

Heim doesn’t deserve all the hate he gets from the fans

“A lot of people are still mad he cost Enfinger the championship in ’23’ Fans haven’t let this go. Enfinger was 36, a hard-working vet, and that race was his shot at a title. Heim’s move on Hocevar took it away, and one fan wrote, “Enfinger deserved that ring, not Rhodes riding a caution.” Even with Heim doing well in 2025, like his 11th at COTA, some still hold a grudge.

“Corey is hype but Zilisch is hype-errr so they will eat their young in this case. Connor can do no wrong,” a fan added. This was a direct jab to the fans supporting Chevrolet drivers. Unlike Heim, Zilisch has little to no experience in NASCAR apart from part-time runs. But all he needed was flashes of brilliance and he bagged a full-time Xfinity ride and Cup Series debut.

Interestingly, this reaction called out the hypocrisy fans have while supporting a driver or outright hating him. Kyle Busch was seen as NASCAR’s public enemy No. 1, but once he joined the Chevy ranks at RCR he was cleansed of his sins. Perhaps Heim should try to follow in Rowdy’s footsteps. “Likely just due to affiliation with Toyota, and mopping up the truck series for the last few years. I mean look at the mobs of people that flipped the light switch on Kyle Busch the very instant he signed with RCR, and back in a Chevrolet. Also, potential reason number 3; one of Jr’s drivers doored the $h-t out of Heim, and it was obviously Heim’s fault because everything Jr produces is the work of Jesus himself.”

Well, not every NASCAR fan enjoys seeing Japanese car maker Toyota compete on the ovals. It is actually funny as the sanctioning body is on a dire hunt for a 4th OEM partner, and Honda is the name that keeps poping up. It is hard to identify current Toyota drivers that are celebrated like the Chevys and Fords. This fan reaction perfectly laid out this sentiment, “Heim drives a Toyota and Toyota bad in the eyes of the dumbest fans on the planet.

As far as Corey Heim is concerned, he will be feeling good about the opportunities that are in front of him. Apart from the Truck Series commitments, he will race in the Xfinity and Cup Series. And who knows he might have something big planned with Toyota as far as his rise in NASCAR is concerned.