Herbst is only 25 years old but has spent almost five full-time seasons in the Xfinity Series with a couple of its top teams but until recently no victories.
Now with Stewart-Haas Racing, Herbst broke into Victory Lane for the first-time last season with a win at his home track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, which was an important milestone.
Although SHR was hit by news a couple months ago of its closure at the end of the year, Herbst and his No. 98 Ford team have been enjoying one of its most consistent seasons but lacked a win that would lock him in the playoffs.
That changed just before the Olympic break with a dramatic last-lap pass to victory July 20 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, in NASCAR’s return to the 2.5-mile oval track.
Aric Almirola, Joe Gibbs Racing, He Gets Us Toyota Supra, Cole Custer, Stewart-Haas Racing, Haas Automation Ford Mustang and Riley Herbst, Stewart-Haas Racing, Monster Energy Ford Mustang
Photo by: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Images
“This is Indianapolis. This is the most famous race track in the world and it is an honor just to walk in this place, let alone win,” Herbst said. “We had speed all year and I felt like we could win but I just messed up on the restarts a little bit. It was a good fight.
“I am proud of these guys and everybody at Stewart-Haas Racing. Obviously, the news of us shutting down, these guys could have given up on me, gone to different teams, but they stuck behind me.”
Herbst is now guaranteed a shot to compete for the 2024 season title, but he also must consider his future – something he originally didn’t plan on.
“Truthfully, I didn’t want to go anywhere. Stewart Horse Racing was a home to me. They picked me up when I got pushed out of my other place,” he said. “Greg Zipadelli, Tony Stewart, like they truly built me up when I was very, very down.
“I thought I saw myself at Stewart Haas Racing for as long as my racing career was and to get to hear these rumblings in in March and then to get the news in in May, that was really, really tough.”
As often happens, one closed door may open another, and in Herbst’s case, perhaps a bigger one.
Opportunities at every level of the sport
Joe Custer, who will lead Haas Factory Team – which will field one Cup and two Xfinity teams in 2025 – has offered a Xfinity ride to Herbst, but the driver suddenly finds himself with multiple options.
“I’m looking at opportunities in all three levels…
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