Brad Keselowski Critiques NASCAR's Rookie of the Year System Over Corey Heim's Ineligibility
Brad Keselowski has voiced his criticism of NASCAR’s Rookie of the Year system following the ruling that Corey Heim is ineligible for the award, despite securing two victories during the 2026 season.
Heim, who previously won the Truck Series championship, has had a successful year with wins in San Diego and Indianapolis. However, his eight starts in the Cup Series this year have brought his total to 15, exceeding the new 12-start limit for Rookie of the Year eligibility.
Keseowski, who faced a similar situation in his career, believes the current system is flawed and unfair. He emphasized that the award should hold significance and not disincentivize drivers from gaining experience. Heim has also raised concerns about the award's value if top-performing rookies are unable to compete for it. NASCAR's recent introduction of the 12-start limit has sparked discussions about the need for a reevaluation of rookie eligibility rules.
