NASCAR veterans Kenny Wallace and Ken Schrader are vocal about the talent displayed by Cup Series newcomer Corey Heim. Through just 15 starts, the 24-year-old has already secured two wins, including a victory at the Brickyard 400 on July 26. This performance signals a major shift for the upcoming 2027 season when Heim joins the 23XI Racing team full-time.
Wallace recently compared the driver to Jeff Gordon during a discussion on their podcast. He noted that Heim should have transitioned to full-time Cup racing earlier, highlighting his ability to command the track alongside veterans like Joey Logano. Heim currently uses a specific celebration gesture after his wins, which Wallace finds both engaging and entertaining for the sport.
Ken Schrader echoed these sentiments regarding the driver's trajectory. After winning his first race at the Coronado street course, the Brickyard victory solidified Heim as a serious threat to the established field. Schrader believes that Heim is not just emerging as a star but is rapidly increasing his impact on the professional circuit.
Heim will step into the No. 35 23XI Racing Toyota in 2027 to replace Riley Herbst. As the industry prepares for this change, the consensus among former drivers is clear. The competition should anticipate a difficult challenge when Heim enters the full-time rotation next year.