NASCAR champion issues verdict on failure to land full-time drive

NASCAR champion Corey Heim has shared a positive outlook on his 2026 season despite failing to land a full-time drive.

Heim dominated in the Truck Series last campaign, winning 12 races and finishing inside the top five on 19 occasions on his way to lifting the title at Phoenix.

Given that dominance, many expected him to be promoted to either the O'Reilly or possibly even Cup Series this time around, but unfortunately, he has not found himself a full-time home.

Instead, Heim will run a part-time Cup Series schedule at 23XI Racing - the team he signed for as a development driver in February 2025.

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Corey Heim on 2026 NASCAR plans

The first race on Heim's Cup Series schedule was Sunday's Daytona 500, and he had a positive week in Florida.

Despite a 28th-place finish, he will have learned a lot in the race and the duels, and also impressed in qualifying on Wednesday night when he finished fifth.

Naturally, he's disappointed about not racing full-time this year, but he's choosing to look on the bright side.

“I think as a competitor you always want to compete for a championship," Heim said when asked about not landing a full-time drive this season.

"But, at the end of the day, being able to get a feel for the Cup Series and the top level, maximizing my schedule as far as increasing the amount of races. Last year, I only had four starts versus 12 this year, so being able to [add to] my schedule a little bit was good for me from the beginning, but also hitting some really good races.

"Kind of getting a feel for the higher-pressure races in general, just going forward that a little bit extra because it’s the big races [that] getting a feel for is always good, so feel pretty good about it.”

Which Cup Series races is Corey Heim doing in 2026?

Here is Heim's confirmed Cup Series schedule so far for this season.

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