Corey Heim, the Craftsman Truck Series champion, announced that he will not compete full-time in any NASCAR series this season, but will tackle an intensified Corey Heim racing schedule for 2026. Despite facing issues with hip stability in previous years, Heim has set up a program that includes 12 NASCAR Cup Series starts and additional races across other NASCAR divisions, signaling a renewed dedication to pushing his career forward.
Securing Sponsorship and Mental Readiness for a Demanding Season
To take on a more challenging season, Heim reunited with sponsor Robinhood and broadened his arrangement with Celsius, which will now appear as an associate sponsor and take the primary spot on his car in Daytona this August. While bolstering his financial and logistical support, Heim is focusing intensely on being mentally primed for a schedule that features significantly longer races and greater physical demands.
Physical Setbacks and a Focused Training Approach
Competing in races from 400 to 600 miles has underscored the importance of physical fitness for Heim. He has had to address specific pain points, primarily related to his core and hip area, as he explained ahead of his first Daytona 500 appearance:
“I’ve been kind of struggling with some like core and hip stability in the past,”
—Corey Heim, Driver
“I’ve been working on that hard in the offseason. I’ve gotten a lot stronger, I feel like. So that’s been kind of my weak point, though, in and out of the race car.”
—Corey Heim, Driver
Heim first became aware of hip discomfort back in 2022 during 18 Truck starts and seven ARCA Menards Series events. While he managed to notch up four race wins, he experienced hip pain, especially in the latter stages of lengthy races.
The Physical Toll of NASCAR: How Hip Issues Surface
The repetitive stress and posture required inside the car exacerbated his mobility problems:
“I had an issue with my hip, like, mobility not being very good,”
—Corey Heim, Driver
“My hips, like, lock up and basically either fall asleep or cramp really bad. I think a lot of it just came down to I lost strength in my hips and glutes and everything. So started working on that a lot and getting more mobile, but also stronger in those areas.”
—Corey Heim, Driver
To overcome these setbacks, Heim’s training has evolved to emphasize targeted strengthening and increased mobility within his hips, glutes, and core muscle groups.
Training Resources: State-of-the-Art Facilities and Expert Guidance
Heim’s access to the Toyota Performance Center in Mooresville, North Carolina, provides him with everything from a modern gym and nutritional guidance to physical and mental health support. He also utilizes the training facilities at 23XI Racing‘s Airspeed headquarters in Huntersville, working closely with Head of Athletic Performance Jason Meiring—who previously spent almost a decade training NBA athletes:
“I feel like, being with 23XI and Toyota, they kind of have seen it all,”
—Corey Heim, Driver
“So worked on a lot of basketball players, and that, obviously requires a lot of core strength.”
—Corey Heim, Driver
This blend of expertise allows Heim to address his unique needs as a driver, rather than following a generic program.
Racing-Specific Conditioning and Weekly Regimen
Heim’s regimen is meticulously structured, balancing lifting for overall strength with exercises dedicated to stability and recovery. While not striving for record-setting lifts, he maintains a weekly schedule that identifies days for weight training and others for active recovery, including a strong focus on cycling.
“I do a decent amount of banded work, but kind of just focus on pretty generic movements as far as squatting and everything,”
—Corey Heim, Driver
“But also, really just keep my core engaged the whole time on front squats and lunges and stuff like that. Just a lot of stability stuff, one arm, one-legged things for stability. So that’s kind of where the hips come into play.”
—Corey Heim, Driver
Strong Start to the Year Marks Program Progress
Heim’s hard work has already begun to pay dividends. He successfully completed his first major event of 2026, making his Daytona 500 debut and finishing within three miles of the complete distance. His social channels highlighted the pride in his car’s performance and his gratitude for the team and sponsors:
“First 500 in the books! Wish things played out our way at the end, but had a great @RobinhoodApp Camry all day.
Honored and thankful to be a part of it with @23XIRacing. Can’t wait for the next one! pic.twitter.com/F3xY1JWaGh”
—Corey Heim, Driver
Preparing for What’s Ahead on the Corey Heim Racing Schedule
Looking forward, Heim’s season includes 11 additional Cup Series starts and a slate of Truck and ARCA events, each bringing their own demands and learning opportunities. The partnerships with Robinhood and Celsius, combined with the support from 23XI Racing and Toyota’s training infrastructure, are central to pursuing his goals of physical and mental growth. As the season unfolds, Heim aims to keep improving both his on-track performance and overall fitness, positioning himself for a future move to a full-time Cup Series schedule, and setting an example for aspiring drivers overcoming physical setbacks.
Keeping @CoreyHeim_ and the 67 team fueled on and off the track! Let's ride @celsiusofficial ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/rpDuxUwt2n
— 23XI Racing (@23XIRacing) February 9, 2026
First 500 in the books! Wish things played out our way at the end, but had a great @RobinhoodApp Camry all day.
Honored and thankful to be a part of it with @23XIRacing. Can’t wait for the next one! pic.twitter.com/F3xY1JWaGh
— Corey Heim (@CoreyHeim_) February 16, 2026
