Riley Herbst, a man known for his prowess on the racing tracks, has officially ascended to the top echelon of NASCAR, transitioning to a full-time NASCAR Cup Series driver for the 23XI Racing team. After scoring three victories in five seasons with the NASCAR Xfinity Series as part of Joe Gibbs Racing and Stewart-Haas, he’s eager to embrace the new challenges that await him in the premier championship.
“I’m thrilled,” shared the 25-year-old driver, who is poised to steer the No. 35 Monster Energy Toyota Camry on the Atlanta Motor Speedway. “It’s an incredible feeling to have my first race at Daytona under my belt. The season is long, but I’m ready to give it my all.”
While a 17th finish at Daytona wasn’t exactly what he had envisioned, he took solace in the impressive speed, pace, and performance displayed by his No. 35 team. “I genuinely believed we had a solid shot,” Herbst confessed. “We were in a strong position, but failed to secure the finish we desired. Nonetheless, it was a great experience to learn from and something we’ll carry forward to Atlanta.”
Herbst fondly recalled his Daytona 500 experience, highlighting the significance of participating as a full-time member of a top-tier team. He’s committed to continual growth, both on and off the racetrack, spending countless hours in the simulator and working closely with his team. “We’re at the pinnacle now, and it’s crucial we seize this opportunity,” he stated.
Atlanta isn’t an uncharted territory for Herbst, who has nine Xfinity Series starts at the venue. He’s optimistic that his past successful runs will serve as a strong foundation. “I’m curious to see how the Cup car races in Atlanta, especially since the track has been repaved and reconfigured,” he said. “The harsh weather has aged the track significantly, and the cold will surely add an interesting twist.”
Following Atlanta, he’s setting his sights on the Circuit of The Americas (COTA), Phoenix, and his hometown track in Las Vegas. He confessed a lack of fondness for COTA but was excited about racing in the West where he has a strong support system.
Now in partnership with Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace at 23XI Racing, Herbst expressed his exhilaration to be under the esteemed team banner built by Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan. “It’s absolutely exciting,” he said. “Being part of a seasoned and proficient team like this is immensely beneficial for a young driver like me.”
As for his goals for the season, Herbst aims to constantly improve. “I want to be better every week than the previous one,” he said. “There’s a long road ahead, but I’m eager to grow and progress on this journey.”
When asked if he believes he could bag a Cup race this season, Herbst responded affirmatively. “If we perform at our peak and make constant progress, we’ll definitely be contenders,” he asserted. “We have the cars and the team to make it happen.”
For the upcoming race at Atlanta, Herbst’s primary goal mirrors the one he had at Daytona: to run all the laps, learn from each one, and secure a strong finish.