Riley Herbst is expected to announce his 2027 NASCAR Cup Series ride within the coming month.
Last week, 23XI Racing announced that Corey Heim, the defending NASCAR Truck Series driver, will assume control of the No. 35 Toyota in 2027. This decision marks the end of Herbst’s two-year term with the team, which offered the Las Vegas native his initial full-time Cup Series opportunity in 2025.
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Currently positioned 27th in the NASCAR Cup Series standings, with an average finish of 22nd, Herbst has revealed that he anticipates clarifying his future plans for the next season shortly.
“There are a lot of good things in the works. … I’m grateful for where I am and where I have been and I’m excited for what’s to come. I should know something, hopefully, in the next month or so. We’re working on it right now,” Riley Herbst said (via Racer.com).
Speculation suggests that Herbst might join Legacy Motor Club’s proposed third full-time Cup Series team, which is reportedly planning to field the No. 84 Toyota in 2027, under majority ownership by Jimmie Johnson.
Throughout over 50 Cup Series starts, Herbst has secured three top-10 finishes. His achievements have not reached the level of teammates Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace, yet team owner Denny Hamlin has commended his dedication and development behind the scenes.
“That’s how you become a winner” – Riley Herbst confident of improving his NASCAR Cup Series results
Riley Herbst concluded his rookie season in 23XI Racing’s No. 35 Toyota ranking 35th overall without any top-10 finishes. Despite this, he remains hopeful about improving his performance with half of the 2026 season still ahead.
Joining 23XI Racing for the 2025 season as their third full-time driver, the 27-year-old brought with him a successful track record from the NASCAR Xfinity Series, where he accumulated multiple victories and consistently reached the playoffs.
“Our contract is up, so we’re moving on. Honestly, I’m grateful to Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan for giving me the opportunity to go Cup racing. It was a childhood dream. I’m excited for the future opportunities,” Riley Herbst said (via Racer.com).
“I like Michigan. I won there in the lower series before. It’s super-fast. I think we can go get a top 10. The competition is stacked in this series and it’s just an honor to race these guys and to learn from them, to be honest. That’s how you get better and that’s how you become a winner.”
Herbst is aiming to secure another top-10 finish before the season concludes. His best performance this season was an eighth-place finish at Daytona.
Edited by Palak Gupta
