Corey Heim Unlikely to Be Promoted to the Cup Series in 2026
What’s Happening? According to a new report, despite fan speculation, 23XI Racing’s lineup for the 2026 season is set, with all…
Following recent rumors of TRICON Garage signing a new driver for 2026, NASCAR fans wondered if Corey Heim could be getting his long-awaited promotion to the Xfinity Series next season. However, a recent report suggests that his potential promotion remains up in the air.
NASCAR Midseason Prospect List: Will 'Butterbean' Be Next Older Driver To Make It Big? @NASCARONFOX https://t.co/md8JPUp2lo
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) August 7, 2025
Earlier this week, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series team Niece Motorsports confirmed they were parting ways with driver Kaden Honeycutt after he “signed a contract to race with a different Truck Series organization and OEM in 2026.”
This spiraled into two side stories. First, there was Honeycutt’s bid at a playoff spot, one he will hopefully achieve as he races for Halmar Friesen Racing for the rest of the season following his upcoming start for Young’s Motorsports this weekend. But most importantly, fans were wondering where the 22-year-old prospect, in his first full-time season of Truck Series action, will head in 2026.
Multiple reports suggested that Honeycutt was heading to Toyota and TRICON Garage next season. Though this is not confirmed, and TRICON has joked about it on X, fans began theorizing that Honeycutt could take over for Corey Heim, the current Craftsman Truck Series points leader and a prospect for 23XI Racing.
But those theorizing Heim is headed for Xfinity Series action may want to pump the brakes.
In his Midseason Prospect Rankings, NASCAR Insider Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports suggests that Heim is not yet a lock for a promotion. Closing his bio on Heim, saying, “Whether he’s in an Xfinity car full time in 2026 is still TBD.”
At just 22 years old, Heim is a 16-time Truck Series winner and a part-time driver in the Xfinity and Cup Series with Sam Hunt Racing and 23XI. Despite his success, Heim has yet to be promoted full-time to either Series, to the dismay of fans.
Though Pockrass’ statement is somewhat uncertain, and Heim could be promoted at year’s end, it can’t be denied that another year in trucks would be a disappointment for Heim and his supporters.
Throughout last season and this season, fans have campaigned for Heim to be promoted to the Xfinity or Cup Series as soon as possible. Yet, on the Cup Series front, a report in May suggests that he will likely not be promoted to Cup Series action in 2026 despite Riley Herbst’s disappointing showing in 23XI’s new No. 35 entry.
So, with Heim seeming landlocked, it makes sense that following the Honeycutt news, fans immediately pointed to the talented young driver earning a promotion to the Xfinity Series. This is despite the fact that Honeycutt, if he does race for TRICON in 2026, could take over for any of the team’s other three drivers or even their all-star/prospect truck, the No. 1.
On the bright side, NASCAR’s silly season is just getting started, and even if Heim isn’t promoted this year, odds are he will soon be racing at an even higher level than the Xfinity Series.
What’s Happening? According to a new report, despite fan speculation, 23XI Racing’s lineup for the 2026 season is set, with all…
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