With Corey Heim’s upcoming first full-time season at 23XI Racing just around the corner, almost everything is set in place for his highly anticipated rookie year. Still, the number he will drive continues to be a discussion point across the NASCAR world.
Though most assumed he would stick with the team’s established No. 35, during a recent appearance on Stacking Pennies, the NASCAR Cup Series prospect revealed that the decision may not be as settled as most, including his boss Denny Hamlin, once believed.
The discussion began after Corey LaJoie brought up Hamlin’s recent comments on Actions Detrimental, where the 23XI Racing co-owner indicated Heim preferred the No. 35 over the No. 67 as his full-time number in 2027.
Heim admitted he is now reconsidering whether to stick with the No. 67 after building early success and a growing identity around it. Further explaining that the situation is more complicated than simply liking one number more than the other.
In fact, he revealed that when he first joined 23XI Racing as a part-time Cup driver, the team actually gave him a choice between the two numbers. “When I was part-time, going into my part-time season, they let me pick between 67 and 35. And I picked 67.”
Although that was his original decision, Heim admitted his opinion later changed after seeing the No. 35 on track. “But now after I saw the 35 on a car, I’m like, dang, that’s actually a pretty good looking number.”
That is the reason why Hamlin recently hinted that the No. 35 was likely to be Heim’s long-term choice. However, the conversation shifted from appearance to branding, of which Heim seemed slightly inclined to continue with No. 67.
Despite running only a part-time Cup Series schedule with 23XI Racing’s No. 67 Toyota, Heim has already made a major impression. In eight starts this season, he has collected two wins at San Diego and Indianapolis while adding three top-ten finishes.
His success has naturally strengthened the association between the driver and the number, making a potential switch less explicit than it appeared only a few weeks ago.
LaJoie argued that Heim had already begun building an identity around the No. 67 owing to his performances this season, asking whether becoming “the 67 guy” might ultimately carry more value than switching to a more aesthetically pleasing number. Heim agreed that his success has changed the conversation.
“Yeah, I think that definitely makes it more of a conversation, and I’m willing to discuss this with ownership and management and whatnot,” Heim said, later adding that he “could be convinced.”
Heim later acknowledged that his recent wins have made him far less certain than he was earlier in the season. “I’m way more up in the air with it right now than I was a month ago before we had won San Diego.”
“Honestly. . . when I look at social media and see the amount of people that are on the same boat as you are, it’s making me definitely want to discuss it.” Heims said.
He finally teased a hint that conversations with the team could still happen before any final decision is made, “Stay tuned. We’ll see.”
Alongside his part-time Cup campaign, Heim is also competing part-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for TRICON Garage, driving the No. 1 and No. 5. In just six Truck Series starts this season, he has already won three races while recording three top-five and four top-ten finishes.
Stay close to the on-track action this weekend and every weekend by following our Race Weekend Dashboard for everything you need to know before, during, and after the race. Share your thoughts by joining the discussion on Discord or X, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for further updates.
