Corey Heim Will Finally Go Full-Time in Cup
What’s Happening? Corey Heim will join Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan-owned 23XI Racing team as a full-time NASCAR Cup Series driver…
Riley Herbst is out at 23XI Racing for the 2027 NASCAR Cup Series season, so what team will the Cup Series sophomore race for next season?
After just two short years at 23XI Racing, this past weekend at Nashville Superspeedway, the team co-owned by Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan confirmed that Riley Herbst will not return for the 2027 season.
Herbst joined the team as its third driver at the start of the 2025 season following its acquisition of a third charter from Stewart-Haas Racing.
The new team struggled out of the gate, with Herbst averaging a 26.4 finish. Despite improving that finish to 22.1 this season, it was no secret that Herbst was at risk of losing his seat.
The entire time the Las Vegas native was building on his resume at 23XI, the team’s only prospect, Corey Heim, was breaking records in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, setting himself up to take over the No. 35 in due time.
On Saturday, 23XI made the long-rumored switch official, leaving Herbst looking for a new home in 2027.
What’s Happening? Corey Heim will join Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan-owned 23XI Racing team as a full-time NASCAR Cup Series driver…
While Herbst is on the market for the 2027 season, there could be plenty of options for him. After all, this is expected to be one of the most productive NASCAR Silly Seasons in recent memory.
Ironically, most rumors suggest that Herbst’s next home could be familiar territory, as another Toyota team is expanding ahead of the 2027 season.
Legacy Motor Club, owned by NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson, is expanding to three teams in 2027, and, per NASCAR insiders like Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic, Herbst is the leading candidate to drive the team’s No. 84.
As of press time, these rumors are unconfirmed, as LMC has yet to make a formal announcement for the future of the No. 84.
But, while Herbst may not be the top name on the board, there are some solid benefits to bringing him in to help launch the third car.
What’s Happening? NASCAR Silly Season is in full swing, with drivers on contract seasons already signing and re-signing with teams for…
Every NASCAR fan knows that expanding a team’s operations can affect the team as a whole.
Take 23XI, for example, which, upon expanding to three teams in 2025, had just one win in the NASCAR Cup Series, down from their three wins in 2024.
RFK Racing saw similar struggles last year, failing to find victory lane for the first time since 2021, a losing streak the team is still mired in during the 2026 season.
So how can a team help alleviate the strain of a third car?
Well, much like he did at 23XI, Herbst fits that bill, bringing consistent sponsorship from Monster Energy and his family’s chain of gas stations, Terrible Herbst.
Now, Herbst has more to bring to the table, as he has experience in the Cup Series in a Next Gen car, something that can go a long way toward getting LMC’s team launched rather than bringing in an inexperienced prospect.
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