Michael Jordan’s Corey Heim faces ‘controversial’ NASCAR decision despite making history with two 2026 wins Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing has been hit by a NASCAR ruling that will keep Corey Heim out of the Rookie of the Year race in 2027, even though next season will be his first full-time Cup Series campaign. NASCAR has changed its eligibility rules and now limits Cup drivers to 12 starts before the season in which they seek the award. Heim already has 15 Cup starts and is set to make four more in 2026. The 24-year-old has won twice this season, making the decision especially notable as he prepares to join 23XI full-time.
Corey Heim’s Rookie of the Year bid ends under NASCAR’s new rule
Mike Forde, NASCAR’s vice president of racing communications, explained the change on Hauler Talk. Motorsport reported that Heim is past the 12-start limit.‘I think seven (starts) was always out there of if you passed that threshold of seven then the NASCAR rookie committee would be able to have a discussion,’ Forde said. ‘They could say, ‘OK, he had eight, or he had nine or 10. He didn’t go that far above it. He wants to be a rookie and wants to shine a light on the program and on the series; it’s good for the sport for him to be a part of the rookie program.’ Then we’d allow that.‘But I think last year or the year before we kind of put a line in the sand and said, ‘Hey, let’s make it easy for everybody,’ because it did get for a good while there a little bit confusing on not understanding how this person is a rookie with 20 starts last year or whatever. We put some numbers and parameters on there.’Heim won the San Diego Naval Base Coronado race and the Brickyard 400.
Michael Jordan and Corey Heim prepare for 23XI Racing’s 2027 season
‘You know, it’s funny, he texts me regardless of whether I run 30th or whether I won the race, you know what I mean,’ Heim told The Express. ‘He’s a super supportive guy, whether it’s a ‘hey, keep your head up’, or a ‘congratulations’ text, it’s always one or the other.‘He’s very involved, a lot more involved, and I think a lot of people would assume from his perspective. So to hear from him was, of course, it was awesome. I remember the first time I met him was 2025 in Daytona in February for the 500 weekend last year, and it never has felt like I’m talking to Michael Jordan, if that makes sense.‘He’s such a down-to-earth guy, just has some great stories, and he’s really easy to hang out with and talk to. But he’s also just so supportive, has invested so much into this 23XI organization. The cars have been just fantastic this year, so he’s done a great job, and yeah, just, just super cool to be a part of it, for sure.’On Stacking Pennies, Heim said: ‘I don’t know. I could be convinced. I’m way more up in the air with it right now than I was a month ago before we had won San Diego.’