Kenny Wallace Brands Corey Heim a “Delayed Jeff Gordon”

23XI Racing’s Corey Heim was called the delayed version of four times champion Jeff Gordon by former Cup racer Kenny Wallace.

Kenny Wallace Brands Corey Heim a “Delayed Jeff Gordon”

Jeff Gordon, Kenny Wallace and Corey Heim (Via IMAGO)

The 2026 NASCAR Cup Season so far has witnessed one of the most impressive part-time Cup run a promising young NASCAR talent, with Corey Heim. Driving the No:67 Toyota Camry for 23XI Racing, the racer has won two races becoming only the second driver to win two races within the first 15 starts alongside AJ Foytt. This has gotten the attention of ex-racer Kenny Wallace.

On the latest episode of the Herm & Schrader podcast, the former racer highlighted the impressive Brickyard 400 win from the TRD driver that saw him producing a defensive masterclass in the final laps against three times champion Joey Logano. It made double down on the opinion that 23XI is unrealistically delaying the racers Cup career.

This is Corey Heim from Marietta, Georgia. Wins the Brickyard 400. So, this race is whoever got out front, but man, this kid, this 24-year-old kid and Joey Logano, they hooked up and that was it…They held him back. I feel like Corey Heim was unrealistically held back. We’ve been saying, why is this kid not in the Cup?

Kenny Wallace said on his podcast.

Since the 2024 Truck Series season, everyone was waiting for the racers to make his full-time Cup debut. 23XI Racing though delayed the rookie debut to 2027, as they wanted the racers to be ready to be in the championship chase from his first season. Kenny Wallace sees a star in making in the racer, as he called Corey Heim a delayed Jeff Gordon.

We’ve been saying this for two years. So, they’re like, well, let’s get him a car out there. Let’s just put together a car…I mean, this kid to me is the delayed Jeff Gordon. He should have been in the Cup a long time ago. So, I feel like the star is born and I love it that his name was Corey Heim. He’s got a little thing: “Heim Time.” He wins a race; he points to his wrist. Just fun, entertaining.

Kenny Wallace added via Herm & Schrader podcast.

The co-host of the podcast, Ken Schrader, also shared his thoughts on the podcast. He highlighted how the 24-year-old has already proved he is ready to screw up the championship ambitions of many racers from 2027. He also highlighted that Heim was already a NASCAR star and he is now shining brighter than ever.

Corey Heim won at California Street Course, right? And then he wins here. How many races has he run now? 15? Yeah, it’s like, hey boys, you better wake up because you got another guy getting ready to screw up your days next year. I mean, the kid’s done a phenomenal job.I don’t think a star is born. I think it just got brighter. Okay. I think he’s been a star. It just got brighter.

Ken Schrader asserted.
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Corey Heim seems to doubt his 2027 Cup Number Choice

When he was given the opportunity to choose numbers before his Cup debut, he chose No:67 instead of No:35 which is now used by Riley Herbst. From 2027, he is supposed to take over the number used by Herbst. But Heim is now having doubts as he feels like he should remain in the No:67 car, as he already has two wins in the car and fans relate him with the number.

Corey Heim
Corey Heim after Indy win (Via @23XIRacing/X)

At the beginning of the year, it was almost like a non-debate for me. I just think like, okay, so get this: when I was part-time… So, I don’t know. I could be convinced. I’m way more up in the air with it right now than I was a month ago before we had won San Diego. When I look at social media and see the amount of people that are in the same boat as you are, it’s definitely making me want to discuss it. So, stay tuned.

Corey Heim told Corey LaJoie recently.

Ironically 67 is the only driver that doesn’t have a Michael Jordan connection, as all other numbers were used by the 23XI co-owner during his basketball career. 67 number was chosen for fourth car, as it was the next number in the sequences of their current lineup of 23,35 and 45. Maybe continuing with the current number might help the racer build a new legacy as well as a brand.

Also Read: Corey Heim Confesses He ‘Genuinely Dislike’ Carson Hocevar as a Driver