Brad Keselowski Critiques NASCAR's Rookie of the Year Eligibility Rules

Corey Heim has had a notable year in NASCAR, securing two victories in 2026 and earning a full-time position with 23XI Racing for the upcoming season. However, he will not be eligible for the Rookie of the Year award in 2027 due to a recent rule change by NASCAR.

The new regulation states that only drivers with 12 or fewer Cup Series starts can compete for the award. Heim's total of 15 starts disqualifies him, a situation that Brad Keselowski has criticized as indicative of a flawed system. Keselowski, who faced a similar issue in 2009, argues that the current criteria undermine the award's significance.

Further complicating matters, Denny Hamlin, co-owner of 23XI Racing, noted that the team was unaware of the rule change when planning Heim's schedule. Both Keselowski and Heim have expressed concerns that the award no longer reflects the best rookie performance, as it could be won by drivers with less impressive records. NASCAR has established a firm limit on starts to clarify eligibility, but this has raised questions about the award's value.