Corey Heim, Craftsman Truck Series champion, will not compete full-time in any NASCAR series this year but has committed to a demanding schedule featuring 12 Cup Series races along with additional starts in other series. Heim’s decision to take on this tough slate reflects his determination to advance his career despite ongoing physical challenges.
To support this ambitious plan, Heim secured key sponsorships, including a renewed partnership with Robinhood and an enhanced agreement with Celsius, which includes associate sponsorship and a primary role during the August race at Daytona.
Physical Challenges Amid Demanding Race Distances
Heim’s upcoming races will be longer and more physically taxing than his earlier starts, with events ranging from 400 to 600 miles that place substantial strain on the body. This adds urgency to Heim’s focus on managing persistent core and hip stability issues that have affected him since 2022.
“I’ve been kind of struggling with some like core and hip stability in the past,”
Heim shared before his first Daytona 500.
“I’ve been working on that hard in the offseason. I’ve gotten a lot stronger, I feel like. So that’s been kind of my weak point, though, in and out of the race car.”
He first experienced lingering hip pain during his 18 Truck Series starts and 7 ARCA Menards Series races in 2022. Despite winning four races that year, Heim frequently dealt with cramping and mobility problems in the middle stages of his Truck Series events.
Heim detailed the issue:
“I had an issue with my hip, like, mobility not being very good… I sit really deep in the car, so my legs are really stretched up inside the race car, and, like, my knees are kind of in my chest. My hips, like, lock up and basically either fall asleep or cramp really bad. I think a lot of it just came down to I lost strength in my hips and glutes and everything. So started working on that a lot and getting more mobile, but also stronger in those areas.”
Comprehensive Training Support from Leading Facilities
Heim benefits from top-tier training environments to address these physical hurdles. He leverages the Toyota Performance Center in Mooresville, North Carolina, which provides a fully equipped gym, nutrition guidance via an onsite kitchen, physical therapy, mental health support, and various other resources tailored to athletes’ needs.
In addition to the Toyota facility, Heim utilizes 23XI Racing’s training center, Airspeed, located in Huntersville. There, he works closely with Jason Meiring, 23XI’s Head of Athletic Performance, who brings extensive experience from nine years working with NBA players, particularly basketball athletes known for their core strength and stability.
“I feel like, being with 23XI and Toyota, they kind of have seen it all,”
Heim said.
“A lot of those guys have different backgrounds. Jason at 23XI comes from the Charlotte Hornets. So worked on a lot of basketball players, and that, obviously requires a lot of core strength.”
Targeted Training Focused on Stability and Strength
Heim’s training routine deviates from conventional strength-building methods used by other drivers. He avoids pushing for personal best lifts in standard exercises like back squats or bench presses, instead emphasizing targeted stability work to support his hip and core weaknesses. His weeks include designated lifting days balanced with active recovery, which has recently featured increased bike riding.
He explained,
“I do a decent amount of banded work, but kind of just focus on pretty generic movements as far as squatting and everything. But also, really just keep my core engaged the whole time on front squats and lunges and stuff like that. Just a lot of stability stuff, one arm, one-legged things for stability. So that’s kind of where the hips come into play.”
Early Success and Continued Commitment
Heim’s preparation has already yielded positive results. He completed his first race on this intensified schedule at the Daytona 500, finishing just 2.5 miles short of the full distance. Following this, he is set to compete in 11 additional Cup Series races while continuing participation in other NASCAR events.
His objectives include not only further physical strengthening but also gaining the experience necessary to eventually race full-time in the Cup Series.
Reflecting on his initial race, Heim stated,
“First 500 in the books! Wish things played out our way at the end, but had a great @RobinhoodApp Camry all day. Honored and thankful to be a part of it with @23XIRacing. Can’t wait for the next one!”
Keeping @CoreyHeim_ and the 67 team fueled on and off the track! Let's ride @celsiusofficial ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/rpDuxUwt2n
— 23XI Racing (@23XIRacing) February 9, 2026
First 500 in the books! Wish things played out our way at the end, but had a great @RobinhoodApp Camry all day.
Honored and thankful to be a part of it with @23XIRacing. Can’t wait for the next one! pic.twitter.com/F3xY1JWaGh
— Corey Heim (@CoreyHeim_) February 16, 2026
