MADISON, Ill. — Earlier this month word came down that 23XI Racing NASCAR Cup driver Riley Herbst would be exiting the organization and joining Legacy Motor Club for the 2027 NASCAR Cup Series season.
In the mix of his second Cup series season, the Las Vegas native is positioned 29th in points with three top-10 finishes through 27 races.
“It was awesome to team up with a childhood hero. My dad always used to tell me that he grew up with Jimmie Johnson,” said Herbst, whose father Troy is a former off-road racing teammate of Johnson. “I didn’t believe him. This is when Jimmie was on a streak of five in a row and dominating.”
Herbst will wheel the No. 84 Toyota for Legacy Motor Club.
“He’s the perfect fit for us, and he’s the future of Legacy,” offered Johnson of his new team driver. “And then you take the work ethic and commitment this young man has, his dedication and focus to being the best driver he can be. Riley is an up-and-coming driver in the sport.”
Having made significant performance gains this season, Herbst is looking forward to the final phase of the season beginning Sunday at World Wide Technology Raceway.
“We are getting ready to head to St. Louis this weekend,” said Herbst on Friday afternoon. “Yeah, looking forward to it. I want to get back on track over there. We had a really good late spring and early summer stretch and we were running well. Obviously, I got caught up in a few wrecks and I got injured with my concussion, so I had to miss a race. It was a little bit of a slump. Hopefully, we can finish off these weeks strong and get back to where we were. Eight races left.
“I feel like we had really speed in the beginning five-eighths of the year and these last four weeks have been a struggle, for sure,” furthered Herbst. “Hopefully, we can get the ship turned around for the next eight races and finish off this chapter pretty good.”
Herbst continued, addressing his pending move to Legacy Motor Club.
“Yeah, it’s awesome,” said the 27-year-old. “And I’m excited to continue racing. It’s such an honor and a privilege to be in the Cup series, so I’m excited to have the support of Monster Energy and Toyota. I’m staying in the Toyota camp and moving over to the Legacy Motor Club with Jimmie Johnson. Their cars have been running well and, hopefully, we can take it to that next spot.”
Herbst’s shuffle over to Legacy Motor Club was the result of something of a window-shopping tour he and his racing comrades took part in around Carlotte, North Carolina.
“Yeah, we were looking around,” said Herbst. “We wanted to get the right thing. We wanted to make the right move. It’s a huge issue if you don’t make the right move. We wanted to be on top of it and I think we have landed in a really great spot with really great people. We’re looking forward to it. I hope it works well. Like I said, I’m so excited. I’m thoroughly happy to continue racing and just to be there and to be competitive.
“I really wasn’t worried about where I was going,” continued Herbst, “because I knew I had great people behind the scenes figuring things out and trying to get us in a good position. Obviously, the word was out that my contract was up. Jimmie reached out to the people that handle our stuff and the conversation started with that and man, I’m happy it did.”
Herbst is over the moon to be able to climb into a Cup car for Jimmie Johnson come the 2027 season.
“Absolutely. As you know, Jimmie is from the west coast right outside of San Diego. El Cajon. He’s one of us. He’s a west coaster who loves all things racing. Watching him win seven Cup championships is pretty remarkable,” Herbst said. “Yeah, I’m just a huge fan of Jimmie Johnson. My dad and Jimmie have been friends going back a long tine ago, back to the Mickey Thompson Off-Road days.
“Yeah, they grew up racing against other, which is such a small world and such a cool thing. I mean they are great friends. They raced the Mint 400 together this year together. Really cool stuff. Jimmie is just a really standup dude. He’s got a lot of great people working over there at Legacy. For me to be considered was pretty awesome.”
While Herbst is enthusiastic about being teamed with Johnson, he is also pleased to remain linked to Toyota Racing Development.
“You know I really wanted to stay in the Toyota camp,” offered Herbst. “I thought that would be a huge thing for me. Toyota is just second to none. They’re phenomenal. And there are the connections that my family has with Jimmie and Legacy and it all just seems like a very natural fit.
“I haven’t really been up there to the Legacy shop too much. Just because we’ve still got a season to finish out with 23XI Racing. But yeah, the people make this sport and I know they’ve got really good people over there and I’m excited about it. I think it should be a seamless transition. It’s awesome that I don’t have to switch manufacturers. It honestly and truly is a good deal in every aspect.”
Herbst has noticed the positive and enthusiastic support Johnson has provided his new driver in the racing media.
“Yeah, no kidding,” enthused Herbst. “That’s coming from a seven-time champion. Yeah, Jimmie is the absolute man. He was my hero growing up. Watching him race all those Sudays and winning all those races, it’s pretty special to get to drive for him.”
What’s Herbst made of his new No. 84?
“I think it’s cool,” enthused Herbst. “It has grown on me a bunch. I’m excited to climb in that thing at Daytona in February. Yeah, No. 84 sounds good to me.”
