Full Breakdown
Riley Herbst Withdraws from Daytona Cup Series Finale After New Hampshire Crash
8/30/2026, 2:27:56 AM
Daytona Cup Finale Without Riley Herbst
23XI Racing announced that driver Riley Herbst will not start the NASCAR Cup Series regular-season finale at Daytona International Speedway. The decision was made hours before the 400-mile race after the team determined that Herbst was still experiencing “lingering effects” from a crash the previous weekend.
Crash at New Hampshire and Lingering Effects
Herbst’s accident occurred at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, where his car first backed into the outside barrier and was subsequently struck again in the front. The team said the incident left Herbst with symptoms that persisted into the following weekend, prompting the withdrawal.
Team Decision and Replacement Driver
In the official statement, 23XI Racing explained that, despite Herbst’s strong qualifying performance that placed him fifth on Friday, the team and driver agreed it was in their best interest for him to sit out the race. Harrison Burton, the son of NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Jeff Burton, will take over the No. 35 Toyota. Because the driver change occurs after qualifying, Burton is required to start from the rear of the field.
Implications for 23XI Racing and Harrison Burton
Burton’s entry marks his first Cup Series start since 2024. He previously won the summer race at Daytona two years earlier, giving the team a familiar name with a proven track record at the venue. The substitution may affect 23XI Racing’s strategy for the season-ending event, as the team must adjust to a new driver’s setup and starting position while still aiming for a strong finish in the championship standings.
