NASCAR has stated that two-time Cup race winner Corey Heim won’t be eligible for the award
24-year-old Corey Heim has run eight NASCAR Cup Series races in 2026. He’s picked up two race wins in those attempts.
That success has already led to a deal for the 2027 season. Heim will race full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series for 23XI Racing next year.
However, NASCAR has stated that Heim will not be eligible for the Rookie of the Year award in 2027. Heim has already run 15 total Cup races since his debut in 2024 with more races schedule for this season.
NASCAR has stated that the limits for Rookie of the Year are capped at 15 starts. If a driver runs 15 races before declaring Rookie status, then that driver isn’t eligible.
Per the rules clarified by NASCAR, Heim would have been allowed to make a run for the award this year. However, 23XI did not apply or declare that at the start of the season.
Thus, Heim isn’t in the running this year and he won’t be next year either.
Corey Heim is not eligible for NASCAR Rookie of the Year
Corey Heim comments
“My only problem with it really is you’re sorta losing value to that award,” Corey Heim told rollingthebottom.
“If you want that award to mean something and you’re giving somebody an award that says, ‘Here you go, you’re the best rookie.’ Are you really?”
“That’s my thing. If you’re going to give somebody an award and take a picture, make it worth something.”
“It’s losing its value. But, that’s just my opinion.”
23XI Racing co-owner Denny Hamlin
“No,” Denny Hamlin stated that he was not aware of this when they set up Heim’s schedule.
“I wasn’t made aware of it. Nor was I aware of what the plan was. We don’t designate a certain amount of races based off of that.”
“It’s weird. They did say, ‘It’s a case by case.’ Usually, you just have a number. It sounds like they put out a number but it’s a new number maybe?”
Corey Heim signs to run the NASCAR Cup Series full-time in 2027
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