Kevin Harvick Warns Denny Hamlin Against Wasting 23XI Prodigy’s Talent With Concerning NASCAR Bombshell” discusses concerns raised by NASCAR veteran Kevin Harvick regarding the career management of Corey Heim, a highly talented young driver currently under the 23XI Racing banner, co-owned by Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan.

Corey Heim, a 22-year-old driver, has been impressing in the NASCAR Truck Series and has already shown he is capable of competing at the Cup Series level. At a recent race in Kansas, Heim was the best-performing 23XI Racing driver, finishing 13th, while Riley Herbst, who was chosen over Heim for a Cup ride, finished 27th. This performance has led to questions among fans and experts about whether Hamlin and Jordan made the right decision by prioritizing Herbst over Heim in the No. 35 Toyota Camry.

Harvick expressed bafflement over why Heim is still in the Truck Series despite his evident talent and success, including 14 Truck Series wins and a near championship last year. He emphasized that Heim deserves a full-time Cup ride rather than a limited schedule of 8-12 races. Harvick warned that if 23XI Racing and Toyota do not find a more significant role for Heim soon, rival teams and manufacturers could attempt to recruit him away, given his “total package” skill set and rare ability to quickly adapt and excel in Cup cars.

Mamba Smith, Harvick’s podcast co-host, supported this view by noting Heim’s strong race pace and ability to move up through the field despite limited starts in the Cup Series. Heim himself remains patient and focused on the opportunities he currently has with 23XI Racing and Tricon Garage but acknowledges the challenge of proving he is ready to be a full-time Cup driver.

The article highlights that 23XI Racing has a history of identifying and promoting talent, as seen with Tyler Reddick, who was successfully transitioned from Chevrolet to Toyota and won multiple races. However, the current situation with Heim is critical because retaining such a promising driver will be difficult if he continues to be underutilized.

In summary, Kevin Harvick warns that Denny Hamlin and 23XI Racing risk wasting Corey Heim’s exceptional talent by not providing him with a full-time Cup Series seat. The situation poses a potential problem for Toyota Racing Development and 23XI, as Heim could become a target for other teams if his progression stalls due to limited opportunities.