NASCAR Silly Season: Corey Heim Poised for Full-Time 23XI Ride in 2027

Corey Heim, widely regarded as NASCAR's top prospect and a development driver for 23XI Racing, is increasingly likely to secure a full-time Cup Series seat with the team for the 2027 season. Although Heim currently splits his time across all three national series, his strong performances, including leading 69 laps at Texas Motor Speedway and earning eighth-most points in the Truck Series despite limited starts, have convinced industry insiders he is ready for promotion. Reports from The Athletic and Fox Sports indicate that Heim is expected to take over the No. 35 car, currently driven by Riley Herbst. While Herbst struggled during his rookie year, he has shown significant improvement in starting and finishing positions in 2026, bolstering his value through both on-track results and substantial sponsorship funding from Monster Energy. Consequently, Herbst is viewed as a prime candidate for Legacy Motor Club, which is adding a third charter and requires financial backing. This potential shuffle highlights 23XI Racing's strategic planning to integrate top young talent while managing the financial realities of modern NASCAR team operations.