“What a Joke”: Fans Rip Toyota for TGR Fumbling Generational NASCAR Talent

Corey Heim’s tearing up the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series like few others, and his latest Darlington victory just adds to it. But the 22-year-old’s future is stuck in neutral, and fans are losing it. Widely seen as the second-best prospect in NASCAR and the crown jewel of Toyota Gazoo Racing’s pipeline with 23XI Racing, Heim’s on track for one of the most dominant Truck seasons ever. Eight wins, 15 top tens, 13 top fives, and two regular-season championships, his stats scream superstar. Yet, a full-time jump to the next level feels like a pipe dream, and the rumor mill’s buzzing with frustration over what’s next for him.

For years, Heim’s been battling the same hurdle: no clear path to a full-time ride. Despite three straight championship-caliber seasons in Trucks, he’s been piecing together part-time gigs with Sam Hunt Racing in the Xfinity Series and Legacy Motor Club/23XI Racing in the Cup Series. It’s a grind that doesn’t match his talent. Fans thought the tide was turning when Kaden Honeycutt split with Niece Motorsports, sparking whispers that Honeycutt might take Heim’s Truck ride, freeing him up for a promotion. A full-time Xfinity seat seemed like the logical next step, especially since a Cup Series leap in 2026 was already off the table. But hope took a hit.

Jordan Bianchi from The Athletic dropped a bombshell that Heim’s likely facing a “combination schedule” in 2026, splitting time across all three NASCAR national series with TRICON in Trucks, SHR in the newly renamed O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (Xfinity), and 23XI in Cup. It’s not confirmed by Heim or the teams, but it’s a gut punch for fans who saw him racing full-time in Xfinity by now. Bianchi did note that “if the right funding can be secured,” a full-time Xfinity ride is still possible, but sponsorship’s been Heim’s kryptonite before.

This isn’t a new story in NASCAR. Talent often gets stuck waiting for the right money or timing. Look at Ryan Blaney in 2015, a year before his full-time Cup debut. At 21, he juggled five Truck races for Brad Keselowski, 13 Xfinity starts with Team Penske, and 19 Cup attempts with the Wood Brothers, even eating three DNQs. That season built his chops, letting him flex his skills across series while proving he could hang with the big dogs. Heim could follow that playbook, using a mixed schedule to prep for a 2027 Cup run, but it’s a slow burn for a guy who’s already dominating.

The lack of a clear promotion stings because Heim’s potential is undeniable. He’s got the speed, the stats, and the respect of the garage. If 23XI can get him more races, especially in Cup, it could set him up to shine against top competition. But right now, the plan feels like a holding pattern, and fans aren’t shy about calling it a fumble. Toyota’s got a generational talent in Heim, but without a full-time Xfinity or Cup seat, they’re risking letting him slip through their fingers.

Reddit’s been a firestorm of reactions, with fans ripping Toyota Gazoo Racing for not capitalizing on Heim’s brilliance. It’s not just disappointment. It’s fear that a star could be wasted or poached, leaving Toyota to regret what could’ve been. The phrase “what a joke” is echoing loud, and the heat’s on TGR to prove they’re not dropping the ball on their brightest prospect.

Fans blast Toyota for stalling Heim’s rise

The Reddit threads are popping off, with fans unloading on Toyota for keeping Corey Heim in limbo. One user put it bluntly, “Toyota’s gonna f–k around and lose him to another manufacture.” It’s a real worry. Heim’s racked up eight wins, 15 top tens, and 13 top fives this season alone, plus two regular-season Truck titles. He’s a proven talent, but limited Cup seats and sponsorship woes are holding him back. Fans see the risk: if Toyota doesn’t lock him in with a full-time ride, another manufacturer like Chevrolet or Ford could swoop in with a better offer, stealing TGR’s top prospect.

Another fan didn’t mince words, “Toyota is basically ceding the entire Xfinity Series to JR Motorsports at this point.” The frustration’s clear. By not pushing Heim into a full-time Xfinity role, Toyota’s leaving the door open for JR Motorsports, a Chevrolet powerhouse, to dominate the series. Insiders point to sponsorship as the bottleneck, with Heim’s part-time Xfinity stints showing he’s ready but lacking the cash to go full-time. Fans feel Toyota’s dropping the ball, letting JRM eat their lunch in a series Heim could own.

One hopeful prediction fell flat, “I predicted that he would get his first Xfinity win this year. Presumably the first for Sam Hunt. He probably would’ve gotten it if he had more starts tbh.” Heim’s shown serious speed in his limited Sam Hunt Racing starts, and fans believe more races could’ve landed him a win. His Truck dominance, multiple wins, and a championship pedigree prove he’s got the talent. The problem? Not enough chances to shine in Xfinity, leaving fans convinced Toyota’s squandering his potential.

The harsh reality hit home with this take, “Really shows how much getting a seat is a combination of money, kissing sponsors a–es, and luck with timing, unfortunately.” It’s a brutal truth. Heim’s six Truck wins in 2024 outshine Riley Herbst’s three across five seasons, but Herbst snagged a 23XI Cup ride thanks to Monster Energy’s backing. Sponsorship and timing trump talent, and fans are fed up with a system where cash outweighs skill.

Finally, the anger boiled over, “What a joke. Dude should be in Xfinity by now.” Heim’s resume, wins, consistency, and Cup-ready hype scream for a promotion. Fans see him stuck in Trucks as a massive misstep by Toyota, which should be fast-tracking their star to Xfinity or beyond. The “what a joke” sentiment captures the vibe: TGR’s fumbling a generational talent, and fans aren’t letting it slide.