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23XI Racing Development driver Corey Heim is a top prospect in NASCAR and is widely viewed as one of the best young talents in the sport. Although he does not have a full-time ride this season, that may soon change.

Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic and Bob Pokrass of Fox Sports wrote this week that there is a real possibility that Heim will get a full-time ride as the third driver of 23XI’s Cup Series team next season.

Read more: NASCAR prospects whose stock is rising

Heim, age 23, has split time with racing at all three levels this season. Although he is not eligible for The Chase in the Truck Series, he has the eighth-most points (204) in trucks this season despite making half as many starts as his teammates.

His performance in the cup series so far has also been impressive. Most recently, Heim led 69 laps at Texas Motor Speedway and just a few weeks ago he finished 15th at Kansas. There is universal agreement that he is ready for a full-time ride in the Cup and it seems the plan is for that to happen in 2027.

What the addition of Corey Haim means to Riley Herbst

Many in the industry agree that Heim is a better driver than Riley Herbst, who had a terrible rookie season in the No. 35 car for 23XI Racing. However, Herbst has brought significant funding resources to 23XI.

The important thing for the 27-year-old is to improve his chances of remaining in the Cup series beyond 2026. Herbst’s average starting position (20.25) and average finishing position (22.67) were significantly improved compared to last season (26.97 and 26.39), placing him 29th in points through 12 races.

Herbst is not only producing better on-track results, but he has also proven to be a great teammate to both Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace this season. Additionally, he has received high praise from 23XI co-owner Denny Hamlin for his improvements.

While Hamm is destined to take the No. 35 car next season, Herbst will likely get the ride in 2027. Legacy Motor Club has added a third charter and is in need of funding, Herbst’s improvements and his strong relationship with Monster Energy provide the results and financial resources to make him a potential target for the LMC.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

Corey Heim is the hottest prospect in NASCAR and the 23XI Racing Development driver is widely considered across the industry to be ready for a full-time ride in the Cup Series. However, after a record-breaking year finishing 11th in the Truck Series, Hamm is spending the 2026 season part-time at all three levels.

As Fox Sports’ Bob Pokrass reported on Saturday, Heim was announced as a development driver for the 23XI in February 2025. This kept him within the Toyota family, which is what he wanted, and Heim is “banking” on starting to ride full-time in 2027. As to why he cannot spend a season driving full-time for another team, Pokrass noted that the Legacy Motor Club “does not see itself as a training ground” for a driver until then. Departure for 23XI.

Reality: NASCAR Cup Series debut at Darlington, 23XI Racing drivers leading the field

As the full-time driver of the No. 11 Toyota Tundra Truck with Tricon Garage last season, Heim set single-season Truck Series records in laps led (1,625), points (4040), wins (12) and top-fives (19) in 25 races. He dominated throughout the season and then pulled away in the final lap to cap off a record-breaking year with a Truck Series championship at Phoenix.

Getting a full-time ride in the Cup Series has never been a matter of talent for Heim. Instead, money is the primary factor. 23XI Racing’s third full-time driver, Riley Herbst, brings with him a strong relationship with Monster Energy, and his family has a strong financial background and his father owned several gas stations and convenience stores that are in partnership with Monster.

RELATED: 23XI Racing Driver Riley Herbst Emerging as Option for Another Cup Team in 2026

Those financial resources were little needed for 23XI last season amid a legal battle with NASCAR that resulted in millions of dollars in court costs. Herbst was also originally signed to a multi-year contract, so the team wasn’t going to move on from him through 2025, even after a very poor season.

However, the No. 35 car should be open for Hamm to take over as a full-time driver next season. He will still only be 24 years old and his inclusion gives 23XI three drivers capable of winning races and earning a spot in The Chase.

READ MORE: NASCAR Stage Winners 2026, See Where 23XI Racing Drivers Rank

At the moment, all signs point towards Heim becoming a full-time driver for 23XI next season. Until then, he will split his time between the Trucks, Cup and O’Reilly Auto Parts series this year. As Ross Chastain’s last lap pass on Friday night in the Truck Series race at Darlington showed, he’s already capable of beating some of the top drivers at the highest level.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

With six weeks remaining in the regular season, James Borrego is making a final case to remove the interim tag. For better or worse, as the rookie-led New Orleans Pelicans embark on a crucial post-All-Star Game stretch, the acting head coach knows exactly where the front office’s magnifying glass will be focused. Any shortfall means being in the news for all the wrong reasons after the 82-game task is complete.

Borrego, replacing Willie Green, will have to show he can solve two persistent issues that have plagued the Pelicans this season. Slow starts and inconsistent clutch production have been an issue for too long given the top-level talent available. Players have to close out games, but the coaching staff is ready to make a plan at the starting point.

“It’s a responsibility when you try to get your team off to a good start and set the tone for the night. We haven’t done that (this season), but that’s the goal, we have a job ahead of us,” Borrego said. “We have explored some other areas of development, but the beginning is extremely important. We have our eye on that and will make appropriate adjustments.”

The Pelicans are 24th in the standings based on first-quarter scoring alone and 18th in first-quarter points per game. Borrego’s group is winning only 27% of the time in the first quarter. Unfortunately, after hosting the Warriors on February 24, New Orleans embarks on a six-game road trip. The end of the season is more difficult. Seven of the team’s last 10 games are underway, culminating with facing the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 12.

If the team can even get 10 wins over the final six weeks of the season, Joe Dumars and Troy Weaver will probably give Borrego an honest chance at a full season. However, a slow start and inconsistent clutch production will leave the front office with no choice but to look to outside options.