The return of Rockingham as a venue is appreciated by veterans and active drivers alike. Ranging from Dale Jr. and Michael Waltrip to Chase Elliott, many welcome this change as a revolutionary move by NASCAR. “It just made me have a hard time appreciating the track because of how brutal it could be,” Junior said about the track. And it’s true. How do we confirm? Youngster Corey Heim got a taste of this statement in the recent Truck Series race on ‘The Rock’. He led 52 laps on the track but ended up in 8th place. Is it just bad luck or a deep-rooted problem?

Heim’s talent is undeniable. In 2024, he won five Truck Series races and finished third in the standings, showcasing the skill that makes him a cornerstone of Toyota’s development program. His third-place finish at Bristol in April 2025, where he displayed “tactical mastery” despite losing the lead late, earned praise. A “statement drive” at Homestead-Miami Speedway ignited fan calls on X for Heim to replace Bubba Wallace at 23XI Racing, with some labeling him a future star. Yet, his career trajectory feels like a high-stakes gamble.

His 2023 Truck Series regular-season championship and a career-best third-place points finish in 2024 cement his status as a Toyota development cornerstone. In 2025, Heim is stepping up with a developmental contract from 23XI Racing, set to drive the No. 50 Toyota in select Cup Series races while competing in Xfinity events with Sam Hunt Racing and Legacy Motor Club. Yet, his path is labeled “controversial,” driven by limited Cup opportunities. His blunt critique of Rockingham Speedway’s NASCAR return on April 18, 2025, only amplifies the spotlight on his precarious position in NASCAR.

Corey Heim believes Rockingham needs more time

Heim’s journey has sparked division among fans, with some arguing he’s being underutilized by Toyota and 23XI, while others believe his gradual ascent is par for the course in NASCAR’s competitive landscape. The debate intensified after his Rockingham performance, where he finished strong but didn’t shy away from critiquing the race. Heim said, “I don’t think so. I think we made our bet at the beginning of the stage. We didn’t really know if we were going to battle the sunset and the darkness or fuel or what. I don’t know. I thought we had the best truck tonight, honestly. Once we got off the front, it was kind of clear sailing. Anytime I had like 20 car lengths of clean air, even to get to the next guy, I’d just drive right up to him. I had the same issue as most people, where we’d just kind of stall out. I felt like we were better than most, if not the best, but it just wasn’t our day today.” It’s not the first time a driver has led the most laps and not won the race. This is the part and parcel of NASCAR. What turns leads into wins is strategy.

On strategy, he admitted, “I don’t really know, to be honest with you. We’ll review it as a team and move forward and get better.” His starkest words targeted Rockingham’s racing product: “It was pretty bad. Yeah, it was pretty bad. We were able to widen out for a little bit. It sounds crazy, but we’re just going too fast and it’s too banked. We’re running out of gas much. There’s so much to load and throttle time. And for all the time that makes it tough, but I can see this place really turn into something special with some age.” Heim’s honesty underscores the stakes of his situation. His ability to dominate in clean air at Rockingham, as he described, mirrors his potential to shine in the Cup Series—if given the chance.

But the “stall out” he mentioned, where trucks struggled to pass, feels like a metaphor for his career. Heim risks becoming a perennial prospect, a fate that has befallen other talented drivers. The lack of a third 23XI Racing car fuels speculation that Heim’s 2025 schedule—described as “select” races—might not provide enough reps to prove his worth. This controversy isn’t just about Heim’s schedule; it’s about the broader dynamics of NASCAR’s development system. Toyota Gazoo Racing has invested heavily in Heim, with his No. 11 TRICON Garage truck consistently competitive. Yet, the jump to Cup is daunting.

At Bristol, Heim led early but was overtaken by Chandler Smith, a reminder of the fine margins in NASCAR. The Rockingham race, part of Toyota Gazoo Racing’s strong 2025 campaign, showed Heim’s potential but also his frustration with a track and strategy that didn’t align. His comment that Rockingham could be “really good” in five years reflects patience that clashes with the urgency of his career stage. The debate over Heim’s future hinges on 23XI Racing and Toyota’s next moves. Well, Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin’s team sees him as a long-term investment, but fans and analysts question whether a part-time Cup schedule is enough.

Heim’s outspokenness, like his Rockingham critique, could either propel him forward or alienate decision-makers. For now, Heim remains Toyota’s brightest prospect, caught between proving himself in limited opportunities and pushing for more. As Rockingham’s repaved surface needs time to mature, so does Heim—but the clock is ticking, and NASCAR’s fans’ patience is running out. But it’s not like his talent is not being acknowledged.

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Corey Heim is bringing in sponsors like Robinhood for 23XI

Robinhood is teaming up with 23XI Racing to back him and Bubba Wallace. It’s a big deal, as excitement is radiating from everyone involved. This partnership, announced for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series, will see Robinhood’s logo on Wallace’s No. 23 Toyota Camry XSE for three races, starting at Phoenix Raceway on March 2. They’re also sponsoring Heim’s No. 50 car for four races, kicking off at Atlanta on February 23.

Bubba’s welcoming words: “Our team continues to do a great job of partnering with exciting brands that share our values and believe in us,” Corey Heim, stepping into his rookie season, is just as fired up. “We’re excited to welcome Robinhood to 23XI and look forward to introducing another new brand to NASCAR,” said Steve Lauletta, President of 23XI Racing. “As Robinhood continues to expand its presence in sports, we’re proud to partner with them and look forward to bringing the intensity of NASCAR racing to their growing customer base.”

Steve Quirk, Chief Brokerage Officer at Robinhood said, “By expanding our presence into motorsports, we’re able to reach a passionate, engaged fanbase that’s hungry to control all aspects of their lives, including their finances, while also supporting Bubba Wallace, Corey Heim, and the rest of the 23XI team as they continue their success this racing season.”

It’s clear this is more than a sponsorship—it’s a shared vision. With Robinhood and 23XI joining forces, Bubba and Corey are set to inspire on and off the track.