Corey Heim NASCAR playoff outlook is under close watch as the NASCAR season enters its decisive stages, with Heim emerging as a leading contender in the Truck Series and speculation mounting about his promotion to the Cup Series. Meanwhile, the focus intensifies for both Heim and fellow prospect Connor Zilisch, as each chases championship dreams ahead of expected moves to higher tiers of the sport.
Young Talents Take the Spotlight in NASCAR’s 2024 Season
This season, Corey Heim and Connor Zilisch have drawn significant attention across NASCAR’s divisions. Zilisch, competing in the Xfinity Series, has dominated with nine wins—far ahead of the next closest drivers, Justin Allgaier and Austin Hill, who each have three. Zilisch’s form has heightened excitement about his future after Trackhouse Racing announced his upcoming entry into the Cup Series, filling the seat of Daniel Suarez. Despite a secure future, Zilisch emphasized his immediate goal:
“For now, I’m focused on winning this championship … and closing out the year that we’ve had. It’s going to be important for me to race for a championship.”
—Connor Zilisch, Driver
Similarly, Heim has built an impressive résumé in the Truck Series, collecting eight victories—including a crucial playoff race win at Darlington. Only Layne Riggs and Chandler Smith have come close with two wins apiece. Speculation about Heim’s readiness for a Cup Series seat has grown, to which he responded:
“I’m just kind of focused on what we’ve got at hand and focused on the 2025 Truck Series championship.”
—Corey Heim, Driver
As Heim eyes further success, he has yet to confirm long-term Cup plans, though he is expected to take part in several Cup races next year.
Playoff Challenges and Experience Gaps for Zilisch and Heim
While Zilisch has enjoyed a historic Xfinity run, he confronts significant hurdles in the playoffs due to limited experience at tracks such as Phoenix, where he finished 16th earlier this year. His strong points position gives him a buffer, but the pressure to deliver at crucial events remains intense. Speaking about the Phoenix challenge and his primary rival, Zilisch said:
“Justin [Allgaier] is going to be really tough to beat there [Phoenix]. They’ve kind of just been in a bit of a dry spell with small things taking them out of races. But the speed is still there. So I know that when we go to Phoenix, it’s not anyone’s race. It’s going to be a race for a championship.”
—Connor Zilisch, Driver
In the Trucks, Heim’s biggest threats in the postseason are Layne Riggs, Chandler Smith, and defending champion Ty Majeski. Heim’s ability to maintain the fastest pace among contenders gives him confidence heading to Phoenix, but he remains wary of the format:
“We have definitely had the best average speed of the bunch. But the playoff structure is so difficult, as far as everyone’s even at Phoenix. Whoever can bring their best stuff at Phoenix is obviously the champion.”
—Corey Heim, Driver
Both drivers’ performances at Phoenix will prove critical, as the playoff system in NASCAR compresses the field’s points and creates a winner-take-all scenario at the final race.
Next Steps: Moving Toward Cup Series Opportunities
With his spot confirmed at Trackhouse Racing, Zilisch will step into the Cup Series in 2026, driving the team’s third Chevrolet entry. His focus remains on capitalizing on the remainder of his Xfinity campaign before stepping up.
Heim’s path is less defined. Though he is set to make several Cup starts with 23XI Racing’s fourth car, the specifics—including the number of races—depend partly on legal proceedings between the organization and NASCAR, which may impact team operations. Despite uncertainty, Heim continues to build his reputation in the Truck Series, keeping attention fixed on a title run before making decisions about his Cup future.
The varied trajectories of Zilisch and Heim highlight the unpredictable, high-stakes nature of NASCAR’s playoff system and the complex passage from rising star to Cup contender. Their showings through the remainder of this season will not only influence championship outcomes but also shape the landscape of NASCAR’s next generation of talent.
