Riley Herbst will miss NASCAR's regular-season finale at Daytona on Saturday night. The 23XI Racing driver is sidelined by lingering effects from a crash last weekend. He won't be replaced in the Cup Series race, marking a significant absence for the team as the regular season reaches its final event.
Herbst has competed in 35 races this season. Missing Daytona, one of NASCAR's marquee events, puts him on the sidelines during a crucial stretch before the playoffs begin. The specifics of last week's crash and the extent of his injuries remain unclear, but the team determined he was not fit to race.
This creates complications for 23XI Racing heading into the postseason. Teams want their drivers healthy and sharp when playoff racing starts. Losing a driver's seat at a venue like Daytona, where the draft and close-quarters racing reward experience, costs the team potential points and track time.
Herbst will need to clear medically before returning to competition. The team hasn't announced a timeline for his return.