NASCAR News: 23XI Racing Expands To A 3rd Car W/Riley Herbst

23XI Racing has added Riley Herbst for a third full-time car in 2025, the team announced Wednesday.

The 25-year-old inked a deal to join 23XI Racing, beginning in 2025, as the driver of a brand-new No. 35 Toyota. Monster Energy, Herbst’s primary sponsor, will follow him to the team owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan and Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin. The No. 35 pays homage to Jordan, who wore the number while playing for the Scottsdale Scorpions in the 1994 Arizona Fall League.

“It’s an honor to join 23XI and Toyota for the opportunity to race in the Cup Series each week,” Herbst said in a statement. “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.”

Herbst previously competed for Stewart-Haas Racing, where he won three Xfinity Series races. He also raced for Joe Gibbs Racing in 2020. Now, he joins Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick, who qualified for the Championship 4 in 2024, at 23XI.

Toyota Statement

“Everyone at TRD is pleased to support 23XI Racing as they continue to grow their program in the NASCAR Cup Series with the addition of Riley Herbst in a third full-time entry for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season,” said Tyler Gibbs, general manager, TRD USA.

“Having worked with Riley in the past, we have watched his growth over the last several seasons in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. We look forward to Riley rejoining the Toyota family and supporting him achieve his goals next year and into the future.”