Fresh off a historic 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series campaign, champion Corey Heim did not have his plans set in stone for 2026. The unknown was shocking for NASCAR insiders, who have agreed that Heim is ready for a full-time Cup Series ride.
However, 23XI Racing developed a plan for Heim that will steadily prepare him for a full-time Cup career sooner rather than later. Prior to the start of the 2026 season, 23XI Racing announced Heim will compete in at least 12 races in a fourth entry, the No. 67 Toyota, with backing from Robinhood and Celsius.
Heim qualified for the 2026 Daytona 500 on speed to start the year. His neon Toyota was strong throughout the weekend, and he led eight laps during the Great American Race. But he finished 28th after being caught up in a 17-car crash.
“I’m really excited,” Heim said before the Daytona 500. “This is technically my third season with 23XI, even though I’ve only made five starts (now six). To be able to get to know most of the people in the shop from the the marketing side to the competition side has been great. We have a lot of good races on the schedule this year with a lot of good opportunities with a great team.”
Corey Heim’s Journey With 23XI Racing
Heim signed a development deal with 23XI Racing three years ago. Ever since, he’s been developing marketing partners to enable him to compete at the Cup level. As his stardom has grown on the track, 23XI Racing has made sure to keep him in house.
The only time Heim has competed in the Cup Series for a different team was when Legacy Motor Club’s Erik Jones was injured in 2024, and Heim took over his No. 43 Toyota for two races.
But 23XI Racing only has three charters, and they are currently fully sponsored. The fourth part-time entry, which Heim competed with in 2025, will enable him to get his feet wet before he goes full-force at NASCAR’s top level. His results last year certainly raised eyebrows, finishing sixth at Bristol Motor Speedway in the Bass Pro Shops Night Races, which took place in the heart of the playoffs.
His growth in the Cup car came as he was chasing records in the Truck Series, which he eventually shattered. Heim won an astonishing 12 of 25 races en route to the 2025 championship, leading 1,625 laps and leading a lap in every event.
Right now, the plan is for Heim to compete part-time in all three NASCAR divisions, a move that will keep him fresh even if he’s not racing in the Cup Series on a given weekend. Last weekend, he competed at EchoPark Speedway with Tricon Garage with Celsius as his primary sponsor.
“This is the most consistent my schedule has been throughout a year,” Heim said. “If you want to look at percentages of Cup versus Truck I’ve done throughout the years, this is the most consistent as far as that goes. Being in the same car week-in and week-out definitely helps, but at the same time, going to the Truck Series and O’Reilly Series will help me as a driver. I’ve never been opposed to mixing it up.”
Finding The Right Partners
For the sake of Heim’s long-term success, it is vital for 23XI Racing to find the perfect marketing partners. Robinhood, which came on board with the team last year, expanded its relationship for 2026, starting with the Daytona 500.
And Celsius, which sponsors several NASCAR drivers, joined 23XI Racing to back Heim in the summer race at Daytona.
“Last year, I was able to have a partnership with Celsius, but this is the first year they’ve had a primary on one of our trucks,” Heim said. “Celsius has been an awesome partner to have, and I feel like they’ve been helping me to be energized for my workouts and my routine. To have them as a key part of not only my daily life, but also as a primary on my racecar, makes sense and it’s a special feeling.”
Heim recognizes how vital it is to grow these partnerships as he attempts to go full-time in the Cup Series.