One of NASCAR’s brightest young talents officially has his future secured. On Saturday, 23XI Racing announced that Corey Heim will join the organization’s NASCAR Cup Series lineup full-time beginning in 2027, taking over the No. 35 Toyota and completing a journey that has been years in the making.

For Heim, the announcement represents the fulfillment of a lifelong dream and the next step in a career that has been marked by success at nearly every level of stock car racing.

“Since I was five years old, all I ever wanted was to be a Cup driver,” Heim said. “My family and I have sacrificed a ton to get me to this level, and I don’t take that for granted. When the opportunity came up to be a development driver with 23XI Racing, I trusted my gut and knew this was the place I wanted to build a long-term career.”

The Georgia native arrives in the Cup Series with one of the most impressive resumes among NASCAR’s young prospects. Heim captured the 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship after a dominant season that included a record 12 victories. Since 2022, he has amassed 25 Truck Series wins, establishing himself as one of the most accomplished drivers in the series’ modern era.

His promotion comes after several seasons of development within the 23XI Racing system. Heim has served as a development driver for the organization since 2024 and has steadily gained Cup Series experience through a limited schedule. Across 11 Cup starts with the team, he has already shown flashes of potential, highlighted by a career-best sixth-place finish at Bristol Motor Speedway last fall.

The 2026 season has continued that progression. Heim has made four Cup starts so far, including a 19th-place finish in last weekend’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. He is scheduled for additional starts throughout the season as 23XI continues preparing him for a full-time role.

Team co-owner Denny Hamlin has long been one of Heim’s biggest supporters and has repeatedly emphasized the importance of giving the young driver meaningful Cup experience before making the jump full-time.

“We’re excited to welcome Corey to our full-time roster next season and look forward to watching him race every weekend in 2027,” Hamlin said. “Corey is a gifted driver who is continuing to get better and better with each race he runs. He has a bright future in the sport and joins a team that is continuing to build a solid foundation.”

Heim’s arrival also signals the next phase of growth for 23XI Racing. The organization, co-owned by Hamlin and NBA legend Michael Jordan, has evolved from a startup operation into one of NASCAR’s top teams. By 2027, Heim will join a lineup that includes Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace, giving the organization a blend of proven winners and rising talent.

Current No. 35 driver Riley Herbst will make way for Heim at the conclusion of the season. Hamlin acknowledged Herbst’s role in helping establish the team’s newest entry and thanked him for his contributions during the car’s formative years.

Beyond his results on track, Heim has already earned the respect of those around him. Wallace praised the young driver earlier this season, pointing to both his work ethic and ability to adapt.

“He’s gonna be a major asset to our team,” Wallace said before the Daytona 500. “To see him grow throughout it all and figure out where he needs to be, put himself in the right spots, that’s all gonna come with time, but I think he adapts really well.”

For years, NASCAR fans have viewed Corey Heim as one of the sport’s future stars. Now, that future has a timeline. Beginning in 2027, Heim will have the opportunity every young driver chases—a full-time ride in the NASCAR Cup Series with one of the sport’s premier organizations.

The next chapter of his career is officially on the horizon.