23XI Racing, owned by Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan, currently operates a 2-car team in the NASCAR Cup Series. However, they also have a third part-time car and several drivers have already raced for them. However, as NASCAR heads to Nashville, 23XI will be joined by a familiar face on the grid as Corey Heim takes over the wheel of the No. 50 Toyota.
No stranger to the Cup field, Heim has competed in two races for Legacy Motor Club, driving the No. 43. He competed in the Wurth 400 at Dover and the AdventHealth 400 in Kansas, finishing P25 and P22. That’s when Erik Jones was out of action due to injury and Heim filled in for him for a few races.
The Marietta, Georgia, native will be the second driver in the No. 50 Toyota for Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan’s team after Kamui Kobayashi, the Japanese driver who used to ply his trade in Formula One. But since Kobayashi has now established himself as a drag racing ace, the 21-year-old prodigy will fill the spot.
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This season, in his first seven attempts, Corey Heim has not finished outside the top 10, with five of the seven finishes in the top five. He took the checkered flag at COTA in late March, marking his sixth career Truck Series victory and his second career road course victory. In addition to the Truck Series and Cup Series, Heim also has a part-time Xfinity schedule with Sam Hunt Racing in the No. 26 Toyota GR Supra. And, in the lead-up to the New Hampshire race, Denny Hamlin explained the reasoning behind to tie up the 21-year-old.
Denny Hamlin describes his expectations
Team co-owner Michael Jordan is a person who wants results, but Hamlin urged caution. The veteran admitted that Heim shouldn’t be under pressure to try to keep up with Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick. Evidently, Denny Hamlin was aware that Heim is a rookie and discussed the expectations of him.
Speaking of his trust in Heim and his responsibilities towards him, Denny told Bob Pockrass: “It’s difficult because you don’t want them to feel the pressure to go out. ‘Hey, I have to do this, I have to do that.’ We are going to provide you with a very fast car. We have confidence in that, so I think we’ve seen him able to go to the next level and be competitive, right from the beginning.”
Corey Heim will drive the No. 50 23XI Racing Cup car at Nashville next week. Team co-owner Denny Hamlin talks about what he expects from Heim next week: pic.twitter.com/IMQZzI6X8Q
—Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) June 23, 2024
The number 11 driver acknowledged Heim’s previous stint with Legacy Motor Club in 2023 and, emphasizing his capabilities, the 23XI co-owner said: “Nothing would surprise me, but I don’t have any fixed expectations for him either. I just want you to enjoy it. I think he got a little idea of what the Cup is like after a few races with Legacy, in the role of understudy to him. Being able to take the time, prepare, dive in with our people, how we prepare for the races there, will be beneficial for him. I’m certainly excited to see how he does.”
Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan want Corey Heim to get some experience racing in a Cup car. Who knows, it might come in handy when he finally makes it to Cup full-time. Last season, Heim claimed the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series regular-season championship despite missing a race due to illness.
While piloting the No. 11 TRICON Garage Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, he advanced to the final four and earned three wins, 12 top-five finishes and 19 top-10 finishes. He sits in second place in the Craftsman Truck Series standings, just two points behind the leader.
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The Joe Gibbs Racing star gave some advice to Corey Heim
Before New Hampshire and long before Heim’s debut at 23XI Racing, Denny Hamlin spoke about his interaction with him. Since he is a team owner, Hamlin would want his driver to return the car whole and in a good position. So nothing stopped him from giving the young man some advice.
Hamlin continued: “I talked to Corey a little bit about it. I think he feels very comfortable understanding that his future does not depend on the day to day. He’s young and established enough, and he’s won enough on Friday and Saturday, to know that he’s capable of doing it. I don’t think any results made you question his abilities. That kind of confidence in someone so young is very difficult to get, but he has earned it through results.”
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February 16, 2024; Daytona Beach, Florida, United States; NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) during Daytona 500 practice at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-KeynoteUSA Sports
In essence, the driver/owner suggests that prodigy Michael Jordan shouldn’t worry too much about his future. However, one has to wonder if he will pull double duty and compete in the Truck and Cup race at Nashville.
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