When Riley Herbst was announced as the third full-time driver for 23XI Racing ahead of the 2025 season, many were surprised. It was an opportunity that many believed would fall to Corey Heim, the rising star in the Toyota camp. But when the opportunity presented itself, Herbst grabbed it with both hands, making a significant leap from his successful stint with Stewart Haas Racing. However, as he transitions to the Cup Series, a whole new set of challenges awaits him, a reality that Bubba Wallace, a veteran in the sport, knows all too well.
Herbst, the Las Vegas-born driver, had been enjoying an impressive run with Stewart Haas Racing, securing two wins, five top 5 finishes, and a career-best 7th place finish in the points standings. But now, as a Cup Series rookie at 23XI Racing, he must once again prove his worth from the ground up. This is a daunting task that Wallace, who also navigated a challenging rookie season, is deeply familiar with.
Every driver remembers their first time – the first time in the garage, the first time behind the wheel, the first time on the fast track. Wallace’s own rookie season was marked with promise and controversy, from race-altering door-slamming incidents to water-throwing episodes with other drivers. Now, years later, he shares his wisdom with the new breed of rookies, including Herbst, the latest addition to Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing.
Wallace’s advice to rookies is simple, yet profound: “It is what it is.” He’s telling them in no uncertain terms that the journey will be tough, the learning curve steep, and they must prove their mettle quickly. “It doesn’t really matter when you’re a rookie, you’re a rookie. That’s how everybody sees it,” Wallace remarked about the inevitable ‘rookie treatment’.
Reflecting on his own rookie season, Wallace admitted feeling that his insights and contributions weren’t always valued as they should have been. “I’m not saying that they didn’t listen to me and just blew my comments off, but it is different when you’re a rookie,” he shared, emphasizing the preference for experience over fresh talent in the sport.
However, Wallace’s role isn’t just that of a mentor to the rookies. He’s also fighting for his own place on the grid. The pressure is mounting as 23XI Racing keeps an eye on the future, bringing in Corey Heim as a part-time driver for the 2025 season. Heim will pilot the No. 67 Toyota Camry, while also running a part-time schedule with Sam Hunts Racing in the Xfinity Series.
Despite signing a multi-year deal that keeps Wallace in the No. 23 car beyond 2025, his future is far from certain. With the team’s focus shifting towards the future and identifying potential talents like Heim, Wallace has to step up as the senior driver and demonstrate that he is still worthy of his seat. Following a winless 2024 campaign, only a playoff appearance will quell the rumors and speculation surrounding Wallace’s future at 23XI Racing.
