23XI confirms third NASCAR Cup Series entry for Herbst
Yesterday at 10:56 AM
23XI Racing has confirmed that it will expand to add a third full-time NASCAR Cup Series entry beginning in 2025 with Riley Herbst.
Herbst will drive the No. 35 Toyota Camry with sponsorship from Monster Energy. Davin Restivo will serve as Herbst's crew chief, joining him in the move to 23XI Racing. Both previously worked together in the Xfinity Series at Stewart-Haas Racing.
"It's an honor to join 23XI and Toyota for the opportunity to race in the Cup Series each week," Herbst said. "Racing full-time in the Cup Series has been my goal since I started in NASCAR, and I'm excited to start my Cup career with such an accomplished and driven team. What 23XI has accomplished in a short time is impressive, and I look forward to building on their success as the organization grows. It's also great to continue representing Monster and I'm excited about adding to their legacy in NASCAR."
The 2025 season will be Herbst's first full year in the Cup Series. However, he has made eight starts over the last two seasons while competing in the Xfinity Series.
Herbst has three wins in 175 starts in the Xfinity Series. He spent five full seasons in the series.
"As 23XI enters our fifth season next year, we felt the time was right to continue the growth of our organization by adding a third team, and Riley is a driver we think will be a great fit for us," said 23XI team president Steve Lauletta. "We have a very solid foundation with both Bubba and Tyler, and we know they will be a great resource for Riley as he begins his journey in the Cup Series."
Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace will be Herbst's teammates. There was no announcement of a charter for Herbst's team as 23XI Racing continues its litigation with NASCAR over the 2025 charter agreement. The organization intends to purchase one of the Stewart-Haas Racing charters, but the sale has not been completed.
23XI Racing, through its lead attorney Jeffrey Kessler, announced on Nov. 16 that it will be able to race as open teams in 2025 as NASCAR has removed the anticompetitive release requirement in the open agreement. However the team is still going through with its appeal of the preliminary injunction motion to race as a charter team next year.
