(photo credit Leon Hammack)

Here’s the most up-to-date picture available of Corey Heim’s 2026 racing plans — based on reporting and insider sources:

After an Historic 2025 Season

Corey Heim wrapped up the 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship with a record 12 wins and multiple records set across the season — a historic performance that many fans expected to catapult him into a full-time higher-series ride.

Despite his results, TRICON Garage confirmed he will not return to their No. 11 truck in 2026, officially confirming that another driver (Kaden Honeycutt) has taken over that seat.

2026: No Full-Time Series Ride … Yet
Part-Time Across Series (Most Likely)

Recent reporting from Fox Sports’ Bob Pockrass indicates that Heim is expected to compete in more than 10 NASCAR Cup Series races in 2026 with 23XI Racing, while also running some Truck Series events.

This suggests his campaign next season will not look like a “full-time” ride in any single series, but rather a hybrid schedule across the NASCAR national divisions — Cup, Xfinity (O’Reilly Auto Parts Series), and Trucks.

23XI Racing Cup Effort

Corey Heim is under a multi-year development contract with 23XI Racing, announced in early 2025, and part of that included running select Cup races with the team.

In 2025 he made several Cup starts in the 23XI Racing No. 67 Toyota, and insiders expect he’ll do a similar partial Cup slate in 2026 — likely more than 10 races, but not a full season.

Sources say this is driven less by talent and more by available seats and sponsorship barriers — there simply aren’t enough open full-time Cup rides ready for him this year.

Xfinity / Truck Starts

While a full-time Truck return isn’t confirmed and TRICON has filled his old seat, the consensus is he’ll likely run some Truck races in 2026 — both to maintain momentum and continue development.

Multiple reports also suggest he could appear in some Xfinity races, potentially with Toyota-affiliated teams like Sam Hunt Racing, consistent with his development framework.

Why a Full-Time Cup Ride Isn’t Happening… Seat Availability

With a limited number of Cup team charters and full rosters locked in, there simply aren’t enough open full-time rides for a driver like Heim — even one as talented as he is.

Sponsorship / Funding Challenges

NASCAR is highly sponsorship-driven. Even top prospects sometimes struggle to secure the funding needed to lock down full-time Cup seats. This reality likely influences Heim’s 2026 situation.

Development Strategy

23XI and Toyota seem to be taking a measured approach with Heim: giving him incremental Cup experience while he continues to learn and compete in Trucks/Xfinity rather than rushing him into a full Cup ride.

What to Expect in 2026

Here’s the likely racing scenario for Corey Heim next year:

✔ Partial NASCAR Cup Series Schedule

Competing in select Cup races — likely more than 10 — primarily with 23XI Racing, honing experience at NASCAR’s top level.

✔ Select NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Starts

Although no longer full-time with TRICON, Heim may still run trucks when opportunities arise — especially at tracks where he excels.

✔ Possible Xfinity / O’Reilly Auto Parts Starts

Some reports name Xfinity starts (with Toyota support) as part of his schedule, helping bridge the gap between Trucks and a full Cup campaign.

What Won’t Happen in 2026

Heim is not expected to have a full-time ride in any NASCAR national series for 2026 — a surprising outcome given his dominant 2025.

Projection: 2026 Onward

Most insiders believe the plan for Heim is:

2026: Part-time Cup + part-time Truck/Xfinity

2027: Potential full-time Cup ride if a seat and sponsorship open up, possibly continuing with 23XI or another Toyota-affiliated team.

This mirrors how top young drivers (e.g., Christopher Bell, Kyle Busch) gradually transitioned into Cup — gaining experience across series before moving into a full Cup role.

Bottom Line

Corey Heim’s 2026 racing season will be a blend of part-time opportunities across NASCAR’s top three divisions rather than a traditional full-time ride:

Select NASCAR Cup Series starts (likely >10 races) with 23XI Racing

Some Truck Series races (possibly with Tricon or affiliated Toyota efforts)

Potential Xfinity/O’Reilly Auto Parts starts

No full-time title defense in Trucks or full season in Cup

This strategy keeps him in contention, sharpens his skills at all levels, and positions him for a full-time NASCAR Cup ride as early as 2027.

TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!