Corey Heim, fresh off a dominant first career NASCAR Cup Series victory, will not compete in this weekend’s Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway in Sonoma, California. The 23-year-old driver, who impressed many by securing his maiden win just last week at the road course on the Naval Base Coronado near San Diego, is a part-time competitor in this year’s Cup schedule and is not entered for the upcoming race.
Heim’s standout performance came during his sixth start of the 2026 season, where he showcased exceptional skill by outpacing seasoned drivers, including Shane van Gisbergen, a notable road course contender. Heim secured a commanding win, finishing over 10 seconds ahead of teammate Bubba Wallace, who rallied from a mid-race setback to claim second place. The victory, achieved in just his 13th career Cup start, was met with widespread acclaim, with commentators lauding Heim as a possible “generational talent.” The Marietta, Georgia native is currently running in only 12 top-level races this season but is slated to join Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin’s 23XI Racing team full-time beginning in 2027.
The Sonoma event, the final road course race of the 2026 Cup calendar, will proceed without Heim’s participation. This absence highlights the unique nature of part-time drivers in NASCAR, a scenario uncommon in other professional sports where a standout athlete typically competes in every event following a breakout performance. Heim’s next scheduled Cup start will be on the July 4 weekend, as NASCAR returns to Chicagoland Speedway for the first time since 2019.
The Naval Base Coronado race also featured a crucial moment involving Heim’s teammate Tyler Reddick, who currently leads the points standings. Reddick attempted a crossover move on Heim that pushed the latter up the track, yet later yielded position to Heim despite being a direct competitor. Reddick’s race ended disappointingly with a 25th-place finish after falling from a likely sixth win, tightening his points lead over Denny Hamlin to just eight.
The San Diego race was not without controversy. A heated incident between Noah Gragson and former Formula One driver Kevin Magnussen unfolded after Magnussen’s aggressive driving resulted in contact that eliminated Gragson’s car. The confrontation nearly escalated to physical altercation before cooler heads intervened.
Van Gisbergen and rookie Connor Zilisch, both contenders at the San Diego event, experienced setbacks after wrecking while battling for the lead. With emotions running high and championship implications intensifying, the drivers will face each other again this Sunday amid the challenging turns and famed wine country backdrop of Sonoma Raceway.