Corey Heim won the 2026 Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 26, giving 23XI Racing its second consecutive victory in the crown-jewel event. Driving the No. 67 Toyota in his first Brickyard start, Heim led a race-high 58 laps and held off Christopher Bell by 0.287 seconds. It was the 24-year-old’s second NASCAR Cup Series win in only 15 starts.
Corey Heim celebrates with his team after winning the NASCAR Cup Series race at Naval Base Coronado on June 21, 2026. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Nayeli C. Fausto, public domain via Wikimedia Commons. This image is from San Diego, not the Brickyard 400.
Who won the 2026 Brickyard 400?
Corey Heim won the 2026 Brickyard 400 for 23XI Racing. Christopher Bell finished second, Joey Logano third, Chase Briscoe fourth and Denny Hamlin fifth. NASCAR’s post-race inspection found no issues, officially confirming Heim as the winner.
2026 Brickyard 400 fact
Result
Winner
Corey Heim
Team and car
23XI Racing, No. 67 Toyota
Date
July 26, 2026
Starting position
7th
Laps completed / led
160 / 58
Winning margin
0.287 seconds over Christopher Bell
Career Cup wins
2
How did Corey Heim win at Indianapolis?
Heim combined pit timing, a decisive restart and disciplined control of the air behind his Toyota. A caution during the first pit cycle helped move the No. 67 forward, while a shorter fuel stop after the Lap 114 debris caution put him in position to attack for the lead.
The defining moment came on the Lap 127 restart. Heim chose the outside lane and received a strong push from Joey Logano. He cleared Denny Hamlin, moved in front of the field and controlled the final 34-lap green-flag run.
Three-wide NASCAR racing at Indianapolis illustrates the traffic and aerodynamic pressure drivers manage at the Brickyard. Photo: Zach Catanzareti, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0. Historical image; not the 2026 race.
Bell closed to within a car length when Heim’s car became loose late in the run. Heim protected his corner exits and kept the No. 20 Toyota in turbulent air, then rebuilt enough of a gap to reach the Yard of Bricks first. The performance was less about one spectacular move than 34 laps without a costly mistake.
Why is Heim’s Brickyard victory important?
The win matters because Heim achieved it as a part-time Cup Series driver in his first race at Indianapolis. He earned his first Cup victory at Naval Base Coronado in June 2026 and added the Brickyard only five weeks later. Two wins in 15 starts make his transition to a full-time 23XI Racing seat in 2027 one of NASCAR’s most closely watched developments.
It also extended 23XI Racing’s hold on Indianapolis. Bubba Wallace won the 2025 Brickyard 400, and Heim followed in 2026. For a team co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, consecutive victories at one of stock-car racing’s most recognizable venues are a major competitive statement.
What happened to the other contenders?
Christopher Bell: finished second after pressuring Heim throughout the closing run.
Joey Logano: finished third after helping launch Heim on the decisive restart.
Denny Hamlin: led before the final restart but fell to fifth when the inside line failed to organize a strong push.
Kyle Larson: suffered a left-rear tire failure and crashed, finishing 39th.
Todd Gilliland: finished 24th but won the NASCAR In-Season Challenge and its $1 million team prize.
Explore NASCAR-inspired racing apparel
Heim’s Indianapolis breakthrough is a reminder of what makes NASCAR style distinctive: bold color blocking, sponsor-era graphics and uniforms designed to stand out at speed. Fans can explore Kozmozracing’s NASCAR-inspired collection, including racing costumes, hoodies and casual fan apparel.
23XI and Brickyard-inspired picks
Corey Heim merchandise is not currently available in the store. These in-stock alternatives connect directly to 23XI Racing or drivers involved in the Indianapolis story.
Prices and availability checked August 3, 2026. Kozmozracing products are independent, fan-created designs. They are not official NASCAR, 23XI Racing, driver or sponsor merchandise, and no endorsement is implied.
A Brickyard victory is one of NASCAR’s defining celebrations. Photo: Zach Catanzareti, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0. Historical image from 2018; not Corey Heim’s 2026 celebration.
Corey Heim Brickyard 400 FAQ
What car did Corey Heim drive at the Brickyard?
Heim drove the No. 67 Toyota for 23XI Racing.
Was this Corey Heim’s first NASCAR Cup Series win?
No. It was his second Cup win. His first came at Naval Base Coronado in June 2026.
How many laps did Corey Heim lead?
Heim led 58 of 160 laps, the most of any driver in the race.
Will Corey Heim race full-time in the Cup Series?
Yes. NASCAR reported that Heim is scheduled to join 23XI Racing full-time for the 2027 Cup Series season.
Published August 2, 2026. Race facts were checked against NASCAR’s official results and report. Historical Creative Commons photographs are clearly labeled and do not depict Heim’s 2026 win.
Alina is the motorsport editor at Kozmoz Racing. She covers Formula 1, NASCAR, MotoGP and endurance racing, from technical regulations and pit-lane strategy to season storylines and fan culture. She checks each article against primary sources such as the FIA, Formula 1, NASCAR and MotoGP, so the race facts hold up. Her aim is to turn complex results and rule changes into clear, useful reading for everyday fans.
Bubba Wallace 2021 23XI Racing-inspired costumeHoodie, sweatshirt and jogger options. $39.95–$89.95
Tyler Reddick 23XI Racing 2026-inspired costumeCurrent 23XI-themed fan apparel. $39.95–$95.95
Joey Logano 2024 Team Penske-inspired costumeInspired by the driver who finished third at Indy. $39.95–$89.95
