Truck Series star Corey Heim has signed a development deal with 23XI Racing, becoming the team’s first development driver. Heim will make select Cup Series starts and in the Xfinity Series in Sam Hunt Racing Supra’s supported by 23XI.
Top Toyota Prospect, Corey Heim, Signs Development Deal with 23XI Racing
Since his first part-time season in the Truck Series, Corey Heim has racked up 12 dominating wins. With numbers like that, you would think he would be on a fast track to JGR. But Heim has remained in the Truck Series as lesser-qualified drivers have moved to the Xfinity Series.
Well, good things come to those who wait, and Corey Heim has signed with one of the most exciting Toyota teams in the Cup Garage. 23XI Racing announced Sunday morning that Heim will be joining the team as their first development driver.
In addition to his Truck Series duties with TRICON Garage in the #11 Tundra, he will race select races in Cup and Xfinity. His Xfinity cars will be Sam Hunt Racing Supra’s with support from 23XI Racing.
He will be making the first start of this new deal next weekend at Circuit Of The America’s, racing his first Xfinity Series road course race.
It’s Heim time ⏰
Corey Heim will race with in select Cup Series events and will make starts in the Xfinity Series with Sam Hunt Racing. Heim will also remain a part of the Toyota Driver Development Program. pic.twitter.com/mRTw5FKd0h
— 23XI Racing (@23XIRacing) February 23, 2025
Heim’s Cup and Xfinity Experience:
Heim has been the top Toyota prospect since 2022. He signed a reserve driver deal with Legacy Motor Club in 2024 and would have to fulfill those duties for an injured Erik Jones. He raced Dover and Kansas in the #43 Toyota, finishing 22nd at Kansas. 23XI would tap him to drive the #50 at Nashville, an effort honoring the 50 years of Mobil 1. He would be involved in a wreck and finish 29th.
His Xfinity starts are also impressive. In the 13 starts, he made with Sam Hunt Racing in 2024. He had a best qualifying position of third at Phoenix and a best finish of 4th at Richmond. He had three top-fives and four top-tens in his Xfinity campaign.
READ MORE: How Will Corey Heim Fair in NASCAR Cup Series Debut?
Moving Up Too Soon?
While he continues to race in the Truck Series, Heim’s teammates from 2024 have found new homes in the Xfinity Series. Many were wondering what would it take to get Corey out of trucks and progress the ladder toward the Cup Series.
Well, Corey Heim spoke to NASCAR about why now is the right time to make this advancement in his career;
“I feel like a lot of people have seen some drivers maybe be rushed up and kind of struggle. I don’t want to be that guy, you know. I feel like I’m on the right career path to grow and get better. And you know, when I’m ready, the time will come, sort of deal. So, yeah, I feel like this structure and this development for me is the right plan for me. … Just really feels comfortable, you know, just being a part of the family and the opportunities that have been granted over the last couple years, I’ve felt confident in my career path, and I continue to do so.”
A Bright Future For Corey Heim
I think this is the perfect development deal for any young racer. A seasoned Cup team working with an Xfinity Series team to build experience up the ladder.
This deal builds on an already existing relationship with 23XI and Heim. Co-owner Denny Hamlin has spoken very highly about Heim. It is only right that he becomes 23XI’s first development driver. Is Heim ready for Cup, not yet. He even said so himself, he wants to move up when the time is right for him.
23XI is still young, only on their fifth full-time season in the Cup Series. But they are young but experienced. Wallace and Reddick are both winners in the Cup Series and Riley Herbst is a talented racer with tough-fought wins in Xfinity. These experiences are valuable to a future Cup Series prospect.
This deal also benefits Sam Hunt Racing. They will get valuable knowledge from 23XI and with a talented driver like Heim behind the wheel they can contend for wins in his part-time venture.
Again, this is a great deal for Heim and we all should be watching out for Corey because it is now ‘Heim-time’.
Featured Image Credit: Chris Graythen, Getty Images. 9/27/2024
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