Say what you want, but the Las Vegas native is more than capable of reaching success in stock car racing.

Last Wednesday, Riley Herbst announced his 2025 plans; joining an expanding three car 23XI Racing programme, driving the brand new #35 Toyota Camry XSE. With backing by longtime sponsor, Monster Energy and pending any litigious updates from his new team, Herbst is all but set for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. However, this announcement has not come without some controversy.

The common criticism I that found from racing fans on social media is that Riley Herbst is undeserving of his new ride. A point that is proved valid in Herbst’s first three seasons until presenting critics a recent stats sheet to his latest NASCAR Xfinity Series resumé. (1 Win, 10 Top 5’s, 17 Top 10’s in 2023, and 2 Wins, 7 Top 5’s, 15 Top 10’s in 2024 with a total of 421 laps led over the last two seasons.)

The other argument I found from fans is that Riley Herbst took too much time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. For most drivers, five seasons is more than enough ample time to prove one’s self in NASCAR’s second highest level. Herbst struggled with Joe Gibbs Racing and again in his early stint with Stewart-Haas Racing. Herbst matured over the years and proved his resilience as a driver in the process. Take any of his select Cup Series starts and you will find signs of pure strength. For example, Herbst went from two laps down to finish in the top 10 in his Cup debut at the 2023 Daytona 500.

We have seen drivers such as Daniel Hemric, Harrison Burton, Cole Custer, Justin Allgaier and others reach NASCAR’s top level and not find the same successes as they found in the lower series, and that’s okay. Riley Herbst is not expected to steal the show in 2025, but he sure will be an asset to the now-three car 23XI Racing team.

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