Corey Heim, reigning NASCAR Truck Series champion and current 23XI Racing development driver, has been confirmed for a part-time NASCAR Cup Series schedule with 23XI Racing, starting with the 2026 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. The much-anticipated 23XI Racing NASCAR Cup challenge will see Heim piloting the Robinhood-sponsored No. 67 Toyota as he attempts to make his debut in the sport’s biggest race.
Corey Heim Joins the Cup Series Battle at Daytona
This upcoming Daytona 500 marks Heim’s first attempt to qualify for the prestigious “Great American Race” on the famed 2.5-mile, high-banked oval. His No. 67 Toyota will compete as one of nine expected “open” entries—teams without a guaranteed spot in the 200-lap field. With Jimmie Johnson‘s No. 84 Legacy Motor Club Toyota already locked in via the Open Exemption Provisional, the battle intensifies as just eight open car entries, including Heim’s, remain in contention for the final four open slots in the race grid.
The highly competitive qualifying process allocates two open spots to the fastest cars from a single-car qualifying session, while the remaining two are decided by performance in the America 250 Florida Duel races, each running 60 laps prior to the main event.
Intensified Competition Among Daytona 500 Open Teams
The confirmation of Heim and the 23XI Racing entry raises the stakes for the seven other open teams fighting for a place in the Daytona 500. Notably, five of the eight open cars are fielded by part-time teams, many of whom have chequered histories or little Cup experience.
JR Motorsports, for example, made their Daytona 500 debut last year with Justin Allgaier behind the wheel of the No. 40 Chevrolet, but this remains their only Cup start, marking them as the least experienced team in the group. NY Racing Team, last successful in 2022 with Greg Biffle, returns with J.J. Yeley, who has yet to qualify since 2024, hoping third time proves lucky.
Anthony Alfredo and Beard Motorsports face redemption after missing out a year ago with the No. 62 Chevrolet, while Garage 66 are eager to end a run of six failed qualifying attempts—each with different drivers—after Timmy Hill last secured them a spot in 2020. Casey Mears is set for another try in the No. 66 Ford, leading the charge for Garage 66.
Live Fast Motorsports, led by owner-driver B.J. McLeod, have twice missed the field since selling their charter post-2023, again pinning their hopes on the No. 78 Chevrolet making it through qualifying this year.
Full-Time Teams and Notable Drivers Add to the Mix
Alongside 23XI Racing, only Front Row Motorsports and RFK Racing are expanding with open entries for the Daytona 500. RFK Racing’s Corey LaJoie is considered a strong contender based on prior Daytona performances. In contrast, Front Row Motorsports’ Chandler Smith, who remains winless in two previous Daytona 500 qualifying attempts, faces continued uncertainty.
Historic Setback Fuels Heim’s 2026 Hopes
While Heim enters as a favorite, past disappointments remind all that nothing is guaranteed. During the July event at Chicago Street Course, Heim was widely expected to qualify, but a surprise run by Katherine Legge and Live Fast Motorsports resulted in Heim being bumped from the field—the first Cup race failing to qualify since 2018, outside the Daytona 500.
The strong performance history of 23XI Racing, coupled with the team’s lessons from prior misses, offer them an edge. However, this heightened competition could easily constrict the eight-car open field fight to a seven-car race for three spots if Heim’s pace holds.
Qualifying and Race Broadcast Schedule
Race fans can follow the qualifying action live on Fox Sports 1, with the single-car qualifying scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET on Wednesday, February 11, and the America 250 Florida Duel races airing at 7:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 12. Fox will broadcast the 68th annual Daytona 500 live, starting at 2:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 15 from the World Center of Racing in Daytona Beach. The high-pressure, emotional push among 23XI Racing, full-time, and part-time teams alike will make for a drama-filled lead-up to the landmark Cup challenge.
Daytona 500’s Growing Drama and What’s Next
The addition of Heim and 23XI Racing to the open entry roster brings a new wave of tension and uncertainty to the 2026 Daytona 500 qualification saga. Established drivers such as Corey LaJoie, Chandler Smith, Justin Allgaier, and Anthony Alfredo, plus teams like Live Fast Motorsports and Garage 66, will be vying for limited spots, intensifying every qualifying lap.
The outcome of this season’s Daytona 500 challenge will shape the reputations of drivers and teams paused on the edge between glory and heartbreak. The combination of ambition, redemption hopes, and fierce competition makes this 23XI Racing NASCAR Cup challenge a defining storyline as the motorsports world sets its sights on Daytona.
