NASCAR driver Corey Heim has already won two Cup Series races this season in a part-time role with 23XI Racing. While he won’t have a full-time ride until 2027, we now know what car number he’ll be repping next season.
On Monday’s episode of Actions Detrimental following the Brickyard 400, 23XI Racing co-owner Denny Hamlin said that Heim was allowed to choose which car number he wanted next season. The emerging superstar chose to go with the No. 35, currently driven by Riley Herbst, instead of staying with the No. 67.
“He says it’s (67) a stupid, goofy number…I gave him the choice, he wants 35.”
Denny Hamlin on what number Corey Heim will rive for 23XI Racing in 2027
23XI announced earlier this season that Heim would get a full-time ride in 2027, replacing Herbst as the team’s third chartered driver. It’s expected to be announced in a matter of weeks that Herbst will move to Legacy Motor Club, remaining with Toyota, as the team’s new third chartered driver.
Heim, 24, won the Truck Series championship this past year in a record-breaking season that saw him set single-season records for most laps led (1,625), most stage wins (23) and most wins (12). While it was widely believed that he was ready for a full-time ride in the Cup Series, he’s split time between the Truck and Cup Series this season.
Sunday’s victory at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, his second Cup win this summer, was his eighth Cup start of the season with 23XI. While he’s gone to Victory Lane twice in the No. 67 car, seemingly starting to build a legacy in that number, he wants to drive the No. 35 next year.
While it’s slightly disappointing that we won’t get to see 23XI Racing have three chartered cars in sequential order (23-45-67), it seems as if Heim wants to avoid potentially being linked to the 6-7 meme.
Ultimately, the car number won’t matter too much as Heim has already proven that he’s a superstar talent who will soon be one of the best drivers in NASCAR. He will be a lock to win the NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year in 2027, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he earns a spot in The Chase as a rookie.
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