Corey Heim surprised many by taking the wheel of the 23XI Racing No. 67 car at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday night, delivering an impressive sixth-place finish. This result drew attention because it positions Heim ahead of Riley Herbst, a full-time driver for the Michael Jordan co-owned team, despite Heim having only four Cup Series starts.
Heim’s performance was particularly notable given the intense competition at Bristol, which hosted the first playoff elimination race of the season. Facing seasoned Cup Series drivers fighting for pivotal positions, Heim demonstrated skill and composure that belied his limited experience at this level.
Corey Heim’s Consistency in Key Races Establishes Early Advantage
This weekend marked Heim’s second time competing in both Cup and Xfinity events at Bristol, and he reinforced his competency on the challenging 0.533-mile track. Earlier in 2025, Heim secured a third-place finish in the Weather Guard Truck Race and finished eighth in the SciAps 300 Xfinity Series race at the same venue.
His sixth-place finish in the Cup Series here showed that his prior successes were not coincidental. It came after a mixed run this season that began with a 13th-place finish at Kansas Speedway in May. Subsequent races included a disappointing DNF at Nashville and a 29th-place outcome at Richmond, but Heim rebounded well under pressure in this high-stakes race.
Statistical data highlights the emerging pattern: Heim’s two top-15 finishes in just four starts now outnumber Riley Herbst’s two top-15 results over 29 races so far this season. Meanwhile, Herbst’s best finish at Bristol was 18th, his strongest since July, yet it was not enough to surpass the part-timer’s consistency.
With his 6th place finish, Corey Heim now has more Top 15’s than Riley Herbst this season in his 4th start (2). pic.twitter.com/aa0CsVLCPV
— No Context NASCAR (@NoContextNyoom) September 14, 2025
Challenges Loom for Riley Herbst as 23XI Racing Evaluates Performance
Riley Herbst stepped up to a full-time Cup Series ride in 2025, driving the No. 35 car for 23XI Racing alongside teammates Bubba Wallace in the No. 23 and Tyler Reddick in the No. 45. However, the adjustment to the top NASCAR level has been difficult. Herbst holds an average finish of 26.24 this season, with just one top-15 result at Texas Motor Speedway’s Wurth 400 race.
For a team aiming to cement itself as a three-car powerhouse, Herbst’s current performance metrics raise concerns about his fit and future with 23XI Racing. In contrast, Heim’s ability to secure solid finishes quickly could influence the team’s plans moving forward.
Looking Ahead: Corey Heim’s Rising Role and Ongoing Pursuits
Rumors suggest Heim will take on a larger role next season, potentially running several Cup races for 23XI Racing in a newly formed fourth car. The extent of Heim’s involvement depends partly on the outcome of an ongoing NASCAR lawsuit affecting the team. Additionally, Heim is expected to continue competing in Xfinity Series races for Sam Hunt Racing, with his 2025 schedule still being finalized.
Despite his growing presence in the Cup Series, Heim’s primary focus remains on capturing the Craftsman Truck Series championship. His dominant season includes eight wins in 20 starts, notably three victories in his most recent four Truck Series events. Saturday’s strong finish at Bristol signals that Heim is prepared for more significant challenges as opportunities in NASCAR’s top tier expand.
