Denny Hamlin has recently caused a lot of buzz surrounding 23XI Racing's third car number. However, Corey Heim, who will be driving for Hamlin's co-owned team for the 2027 season has now clarified the same. 

During Monday’s episode of the "Actions Detrimental" podcast while discussing the race, Hamlin revealed that Heim will be switching his number from 67 to 35 for the next season. He stated that, according to Heim, 67 "is a stupid, goofy number"

However, during his recent appearance on the "Rubbin is Racing" podcast, he was questioned whether he will be letting go of the No. 67 and take on No.35 next season.

"Yeah, so that was the original plan, and I guess we will still be turning in that direction, but definitely a lot of fan interaction on that side of things," Heim said on the podcast. "I've definitely been trending to consider running that number next year. I don't think it's out of the equation next year. Denny Hamlin’s podcast said that it is official, but I don't believe that's true, so we'll have a conversation about it."

The 23XI driver further cleared the air about his comments on the No. 67. He said:

"It's a hot topic right now, but let's just make it very clear I've never said 67’s a stupid goofy number like Denny said, so he put words in my mouth there a little bit, but I did say that I think 35 is an objectively better-looking number than 67, which I completely think that is true to this day."

While discussion over which number Heim will take over as he makes his full-time debut for Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan-co-owned 23XI Racing remains in the spotlight, his debut has also become one of the biggest talking points for the upcoming 2027 season. 

When Denny Hamlin called Corey Heim 'generational talent'

At the end of May, 23XI announced that Heim was being promoted as their full-time driver for the upcoming 2027 season. He will be replacing the outgoing Riley Herbst. 

After his signing, while addressing the media in Nashville, the 23XI co-owner Denny Hamlin spoke about Heim. 

"Generational drivers only come by every now and then. I firmly believe we have one here," Denny Hamlin said about Heim via Peter Stratta. "Really excited about what he's going to bring our team and the performance that he's going to bring. Looking forward to working with him in the future." 

 Corey Heim has been building his career race by race. In the 93 truck series, he has had 25 wins. In the 2026 season at the Cup Series, he has two wins, and he also became the youngest winner of the prestigious race since Jeff Gordon in 1994, further validating his boss, Denny Hamlin’s faith in him. 

Written by

Chionia Libania Colaco