Corey Heim Gets His Shot: Inside the Expanded 2026 Cup Schedule with 23XI
If you’ve been watching the Truck Series over the past few seasons, the name Corey Heim has become impossible to ignore. You’ve seen the aggression, the poise, the way he positions himself like a driver who’s been doing this far longer than his age suggests. There’s a hunger in the way he races, a sharp, calculated edge that separates contenders from champions.
And clearly, 23XI Racing sees the same thing. The team co‑owned by Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan dropped major news for the 2026 season: Heim is getting a dramatically expanded NASCAR Cup Series schedule. This isn’t a courtesy bump in starts or a handful of experimental races.
This is a deliberate, strategic step toward something bigger and the kind of opportunity young drivers dream about but rarely receive in such a structured, intentional way. After dipping into the Cup Series last year with five starts, Heim will now take the wheel of the No. 67 Toyota Camry XSE for nearly triple that amount. It’s a bold move that signals that 23XI believes it’s grooming a future cornerstone of its organization, not just filling a seat.
A Methodical Approach to Building a Champion
What stands out most about 23XI’s handling of Heim’s development is the patience. In a sport where young drivers are often thrown into the deep end and told to figure it out, Hamlin and his team are taking a different route. They’re building him piece by piece, the right way.
Last year wasn’t just about getting Heim on track. It was about immersing him in the Cup environment. He wasn’t just driving, he was studying. He sat in on meetings, broke down film, learned the language of a top‑tier organization, and absorbed the rhythm of a team that expects to win.
Heim wasn’t treated like a guest driver. He was treated like a long‑term investment. He spent hours in the simulator, hours in debriefs, and hours listening to Cup veterans discuss handling, tire falloff, aero balance, and race strategy. He learned how a Cup team thinks, not just how it drives.
That kind of exposure is rare for a Truck Series driver, and it shows how seriously 23XI views his potential. That foundation paid off with a Truck Series championship, a title earned under pressure, not handed to him. It showed he could close, lead, and handle the weight of expectations. Now, the next phase begins.
The training wheels aren’t off completely, but they’re definitely loosened.Hamlin has been open about the plan: this is a slow burn, not a sprint. And in a sport where careers can be made or broken by timing, that approach may be the difference between a promising rookie and a future title contender.
The 2026 Schedule Breakdown
Heim’s upcoming schedule isn’t random. It reads like a curriculum, a carefully crafted test of every skill a Cup driver needs. He starts with the biggest stage of them all: The Daytona 500. There’s no tougher classroom, no harsher spotlight. If he qualifies, it sets the tone for everything that follows.
Daytona has a way of exposing nerves, testing patience, and rewarding those who understand the draft. For a young driver, it’s both a privilege and a trial by fire . From there, the slate stretches across the full spectrum of NASCAR’s challenges.
Intermediates like Kansas and Texas will test his aero instincts. Charlotte, in both May and October, gives the team a clear before‑and‑after view of his growth. Nashville brings the heat and the concrete. San Diego brings the unknown. Indianapolis brings the weight of history.
Chicagoland’s return adds another layer to a track that rewards rhythm and bravery. Darlington, “The Lady in Black,” will test his discipline and his ability to manage a race that punishes even the smallest mistake.
And then there’s Homestead‑Miami, a track that exposes every weakness a driver has. Winning there in a Truck is one thing. Wrestling a Cup car around that place is another story entirely.
Here’s Where You’ll See The No. 67 On Track In 2026:
- Daytona 500 (Feb. 15)
- Kansas (Apr. 19)
- Texas (May 3)
- Charlotte (May 24)
- Nashville (May 31)
- San Diego (Jun. 21)
- Chicagoland (Jul. 5)
- Indianapolis (Jul. 26)
- Daytona (Aug. 29)
- Darlington (Sep. 6)
- Charlotte (Oct. 11)
- Homestead‑Miami (Nov. 8)
This schedule isn’t just about exposure. It’s about education. It’s a season‑long test that will show 23XI exactly what they have in Heim and how quickly he can adapt to the demands of the Cup Series.
Why This Matters for 23XI Racing
Listening to Denny Hamlin talk about Heim, you can tell this isn’t just a business decision. It’s personal. “We know the future is really bright for Corey,” Hamlin said, emphasizing that the team wants him “as prepared as possible” when the time comes for a full‑time Cup ride.
This is the new model for roster construction in NASCAR. It’s not just about signing the biggest name available. It’s about developing your own. Dave Rogers, 23XI’s Senior Director of Competition, praised Heim’s ability to learn quickly and offer meaningful feedback. That’s the kind of relationship that elevates both the driver and the organization.
And bringing Bootie Barker back atop the pit box? That’s a veteran move. Barker knows how to manage a race, but more importantly, he knows how to manage a young driver’s emotions when the pressure spikes. That kind of mentorship can make or break a season. 23XI isn’t just preparing Heim for 2026. They’re preparing him for the next decade.
What This Means for the Cup Series
For fans, this is a win. Heim races with a blend of respect and fire, and a style that creates moments. Seeing him mix it up with Cup veterans on a regular basis adds another storyline to a season already packed with them. Heim isn’t coming in with entitlement. He’s coming in with grit.
He’s earned every opportunity he’s been given, and he’s made the most of each one. That’s the kind of driver fans rally behind. We’re watching a new era take shape in real time. It’s not a meteoric rise; it’s a steady climb.
Heim himself said he’s “fully committed to the approach,” and honestly, he should be. It’s working. And for the Cup Series as a whole, Heim represents the next wave young, hungry, polished, and backed by an organization that knows how to build winners.
What’s Next
The 2026 season has all the makings of a defining year for Corey Heim. He has the equipment, the leadership of Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan, and a schedule that gives him the right amount of exposure without the crushing weight of a full‑time points battle. Every time the No. 67 Toyota rolls off the hauler this year, pay attention.
You’re not just watching a part‑time entry, you’re watching the future of 23XI Racing take shape, one race at a time. Heim has the talent, the temperament, and the team behind him to make this more than just a developmental year. It could be the beginning of something much bigger. Daytona can’t get here fast enough.
