23XI Racing is set to expand its roster with a fourth car for the 2025 NASCAR Cup season, though it will run on a part-time basis. Corey Heim, an emerging talent, has been named the team’s first official developmental driver.
Under this agreement, Heim will compete in both the Cup and Xfinity Series. He will drive the No. 67 Toyota as an open entry in select Cup races, beginning at Kansas in May. Additionally, he will take on a part-time schedule in the Xfinity Series with Sam Hunt Racing, supported by 23XI, starting with COTA next weekend.
Heim has proven himself as a strong contender in the NASCAR Truck Series, making back-to-back Championship 4 appearances in 2023 and 2024. At just 22 years old, he already has three Cup Series starts. Two of those came as a substitute for Erik Jones in 2024, where he secured a best finish of 22nd. His third Cup outing was with 23XI at Nashville, though his race ended in a crash. He is also well-acquainted with Sam Hunt Racing, having made 17 Xfinity starts with them over the past two years, achieving a career-best finish of third.
“I’m just so grateful to have this opportunity with 23XI Racing,” said Heim in a press conference at Atlanta Motor Speedway. He also expressed appreciation for Toyota “for believing in me over the past couple of years,” having been part of the manufacturer’s program since 2020. Heim acknowledged the gradual progression of his career, now entering his third full-time Truck Series season, but noted that Toyota has supported him throughout the journey.
Heim’s Truck Series record includes 12 wins, most recently securing victory in the 2025 season opener at Daytona following Parker Kligerman’s disqualification. In 2023, he was in contention for the Truck championship until late-race contact with title rival Carson Hocevar derailed his chances.
His career trajectory closely mirrors that of Zane Smith, who found success in the Truck Series before making limited starts in the Cup and Xfinity Series, ultimately bypassing a full-time Xfinity season before transitioning to Cup. Whether Heim follows the same path remains uncertain, as no plans beyond 2025 have been disclosed.
As he joins the 23XI stable alongside Bubba Wallace (No. 23), Riley Herbst (No. 35), and Tyler Reddick (No. 45), Heim will have valuable guidance from veteran crew chief Bootie Barker and team co-owner Denny Hamlin. This opportunity presents a strong platform for growth as he continues his NASCAR journey.