Last season Corey Heim dominated the Craftsman Truck Series winning nearly half of the races – 12 of 25. Surprisingly, Heim is not running a full time schedule this season but is running part time across all three racing series.
As a result, NASCAR has stated that Heim is ineligible for participation in the Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award in 2027. To date, Heim has made 15 Cup Series starts – the limit is 12 – with more scheduled’. Those starts include two wins in the Cup Series – Street Race at Naval Base Coronado and the Brickyard 400; as well as, wins in the Craftsman Truck Series.
Next season, Corey35 Heim will become a full time driver in the Cup Series, driving the number 35 23X Racing car which is currently being driven by Riley Herbst.
In addition, NASCAR said that Heim did not apply for the Rookie of the Year honours for this season.
23XI co-owner Denny Hamlin said Friday at Richmond Raceway that he was unaware that Corey Heim’s 2026 racing schedule would make him ineligible for the Rookie of the Year Award.
The limits for running races and still be eligible for the Rookie of the Year honours is:
12 in the Cup Series
10 in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series
And eight in the Craftsman Truck Series