Las Vegas native Riley Herbst is set to make his hometown debut in the NASCAR Cup Series at the Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The 26-year-old driver, who recently embarked on his first full-time season with 23XI Racing, has expressed both excitement and determination as he navigates the challenges of NASCAR’s premier series.
Reflecting on his transition to the Cup Series, Herbst emphasized the importance of consistent performance and learning from each race. He acknowledged that while the team has made progress, there are still areas requiring improvement. “I’ve got a progress check where we need to be, where we need to be better, where we need to excel and where we need to pick up the pace a little bit,” Herbst noted. “I think there are some checked boxes that we’ve excelled at, and there are some areas that we need to improve on as well.”
Herbst’s journey to the Cup Series has been marked by dedication and growth. After spending several seasons in the Xfinity Series, he secured a full-time ride with 23XI Racing for 2025. The team’s co-owner, Steve Lauletta, expressed confidence in Herbst’s potential, stating, “We have a very solid foundation with both Bubba [Wallace] and Tyler [Reddick], and we know they will be a great resource for Riley as he begins his journey in the Cup Series.”
As he prepares for the upcoming race in Las Vegas, Herbst is not only focused on personal performance but also on representing his hometown on one of NASCAR’s prominent stages. The Pennzoil 400 is scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 16, at the 1.5-mile oval of Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
For more insights into Herbst’s perspective on his rookie season, you can watch his recent interview below:
