Why doesn't Corey Heim have a full-time ride in 2026?

Heim faces a crowded Cup and Xfinity market, limited personal sponsorship, and his Toyota/23XI development contract prioritizes other drivers.

What happened in Corey Heim's 2025 Truck Series season?

Heim dominated the 2025 season, securing 12 wins and winning the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship.

What is Corey Heim's future with Toyota/23XI Racing?

As a Toyota development driver, Heim is expected to run a partial schedule with 23XI Racing in 2026 across multiple series.

Home / Sports / Champion Driver Corey Heim Faces Uncertain 2026 Season

Champion Driver Corey Heim Faces Uncertain 2026 Season

14 Dec

•

Summary

Corey Heim, 23, won the 2025 Truck Series championship with 12 wins.
Heim lacks a full-time NASCAR ride for 2026 due to market and sponsorship.
Toyota/23XI controls Heim's path, expecting a partial 2026 schedule.

Champion Driver Corey Heim Faces Uncertain 2026 Season

Corey Heim, the reigning 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion, is unexpectedly without a full-time ride for the 2026 season. Heim concluded his dominant campaign with a series-high 12 wins, yet the 23-year-old driver faces a complex future in NASCAR's top national series. Rumors suggest a partial schedule is likely, despite his championship success, due to a competitive Cup and Xfinity market.

The lack of a dedicated ride stems from a combination of factors, including limited personal sponsorship and developmental contracts with Toyota/23XI Racing. These contracts prioritize other drivers, and with no immediate top-tier Cup seats available, Heim's opportunities are currently curtailed. His path forward is closely managed by Toyota, with expectations leaning towards a partial schedule across Truck, Xfinity, and potentially the Cup Series with 23XI.