“We’re excited to give him that opportunity. He deserves it. I’m glad that he chose 23XI,” said owner Denny Hamlin on his latest Cup Series starter. Corey Heim, a 22-year-old from Marietta, Georgia, is the name on every NASCAR fan’s watchlist right now. With Hamlin as his mentor alongside Michael Jordan, hyping him up, he is gearing up for his NASCAR Cup Series debut. Though he hasn’t yet raced in the Cup Series, Heim’s dominance in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series—12 wins since 2022, including a thrilling 2025 Darlington victory—has the racing world buzzing. This young driver is ready to prove he’s the real deal. And the way Hamlin talks about him makes it more obvious.
The youngster’s Truck Series record is proof: wins at Kansas, Martinsville, and Mid-Ohio show he can handle any challenge. His confidence was built on years of grinding through NASCAR’s lower tiers. He’s not just dreaming big—he’s backing it up with results. Heim is soaking up every lesson to prepare for the Cup Series leap. He’s got his eyes locked on Kansas Speedway, a track he believes will be a game-changer for his career.
Denny Hamlin’s rookie is banking on his Kansas supremacy for the Cup Series
Kansas Speedway, a 1.5-mile oval, isn’t just another track for Heim—it’s his favorite, a place where he’s tasted victory in Trucks and feels right at home. “I’ve got probably six or more ARCA races here,” informed the young driver. To get ready for the Next Gen Cup car is a big step up from Trucks. Corey Heim has been testing with Toyota Racing Development (TRD) at tracks like Charlotte. He shared his delight, “That was kind of a good warm-up. That was a couple weeks ago, so a good warm-up for this weekend. Regardless of what track, I think laps are very big in this car.” These sessions let him wrestle with the Cup car’s unique handling, from its lower horsepower to its tricky aerodynamics. He’s also studying past Kansas Cup races, showing a work ethic that sets him apart.
Heim opened up about why Kansas demands a special approach. “For example, the preparation for Texas last week is night and day from the preparation for Kansas. You factor in a lot of the overall race strategy, and track position matters a lot more in certain racetracks. I feel like here you can really pass a lot easier, for lack of a better word, than most intermediates. So I think the preparation and the strategy is a little bit different. Really, regardless of the track type or where we’re running, I think any laps in a cup car is huge just for how different these things drive than a truck or an Xfinity car would be used to. So yes, the intermediates certainly help going to other intermediates, but I think just laps in general are huge.” His words reveal a driver obsessed with growth, determined to master every detail of the Cup car before his debut.
“That’s the goal for sure” @CoreyHeim_ on if he would like to make more starts for @23XIRacing in 2025 outside of the ones he is already scheduled for.
Heim also spoke about the added benefit of already having a start under his belt at Kansas. pic.twitter.com/XOp0s7DSOZ
— Frontstretch (@Frontstretch) May 10, 2025
Heim’s 2025 schedule is packed with promise. He’s confirmed for the Chicago Street Race and Nashville with 23XI Racing, driving the No. 67 Toyota. “Yeah, that’s the goal for sure. This track in Chicago for sure, and then in between it will be Nashville,” he said, hopeful that sponsorships will unlock more stars. His excitement for these high-profile races, which could showcase his talent to a wider audience. But Denny Hamlin’s rookie isn’t rushing for a full-time Cup ride. His 2025 Truck Series campaign, including a win at Darlington, keeps him sharp while he waits for his Cup shot. But this does not keep him from feeling excited about his upcoming run.
Speaking of running in the Cup series, Corey Heim said, “For Sunday, really excited to be running with 23XI Racing in Robin neon Robinhood scheme. Such a cool opportunity to have a company like Robinhood on our Camry. A lot of Robinhood users are young and early in their investing career, like me, so really cool, full-circle moment for myself and 23XI Racing. I really can’t wait.” With a strong sponsor backing him, Heim is ready to dive into the race and give everything he’s got! Denny Hamlin’s young star’s journey is about more than talent—it’s about heart.
Growing up racing go-karts and late models, he’s faced setbacks and doubters, but still, his rise is EX-Plosive! With Hamlin and Jordan’s backing, he’s got the support to chase greatness. Kansas could be the spark that ignites his Cup dreams, he’s roaring toward the spotlight. Just think what would happen if he wins his actual Cup Series debut, because last time he was a substitute driver to Eric Jones in 2024.
Corey Heim’s heartbreak at the very same track
Corey Heim was chasing a third straight NASCAR Truck Series win at Kansas Speedway, feeling the weight of history. “I’m excited to get back in a truck this weekend, especially at Kansas. This is a track where I’ve run well at during my career, but extra laps are always helpful, no matter where it is,” said the 22-year-old TRICON Garage driver. Starting second, Heim led early, dominating Stage 1 and holding a 1.231-second lead by lap 18. His No. 11 Toyota Tundra was untouchable, leading 34 laps with a best lap of 31.082 seconds (173.734 mph).
Heim’s dream unraveled during a lap 53 pit stop. A 22-second stop due to a left rear tire issue and a restart violation penalty crushed his chances. “Obviously, the penalty on my part took us out of it at the end,” Heim told Fox Sports. “It was really hard to judge which lane to follow there. I didn’t know if the lane was moving up or down, (I) made the wrong call on my part and got penalized for it.” His pain was raw, a stark contrast to his Stage 1 victory.
Heim’s Kansas heartbreak stung, but he vowed, “We’ll learn and come back stronger.” Carson Hocevar’s victory marked a new chapter, while Heim’s resolve promises a fierce return.
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