Corey Heim Faces Rookie of the Year Ineligibility in NASCAR
Corey Heim, the defending Truck Series champion, has experienced a rapid rise this season, winning two races while competing part-time. As he prepares to join 23XI Racing for a full-time role in 2027, he faces a setback regarding eligibility for the NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year award.
Heim has already participated in 15 Cup Series races, exceeding the 12-start limit set by NASCAR for rookie classification. His Cup career began with three starts in 2024, followed by four in 2025, and eight in 2026. Additionally, he did not apply to be a rookie candidate before the current season, which further disqualifies him from the award.
NASCAR's vice president of racing communications clarified that to be considered for the Rookie of the Year award, a driver must apply, and recent changes to eligibility criteria stipulate that drivers cannot have more than 12 starts prior to the rookie season. Although Heim's first full-time season will be in 2027, it will not be recognized as his rookie season.
