Riley Herbst has kicked off the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season in a remarkably consistent—if unusual—fashion. With three straight 17th-place finishes in the first three races, Herbst has joined rare company in NASCAR history, becoming just the second driver to start a season with three identical results.
The only other driver to achieve this feat? Greg Biffle, who opened the 2012 Cup Series season with three consecutive third-place finishes. Biffle went on to win the regular-season championship that year and finished fifth in the final standings. While Herbst’s results aren’t quite as lofty, the statistical oddity highlights his steady performances early in the season.
A Steady Start for Herbst
Driving the No. 15 Ford for Rick Ware Racing in 2025, Herbst’s trio of 17th-place runs has come at three very different tracks:
• Daytona International Speedway (Feb. 16) – A chaotic season opener saw Herbst survive multiple late crashes to secure a mid-pack finish.
• Atlanta Motor Speedway (Feb. 23) – In the pack-racing-style event, Herbst again found himself in contention for a top 15 before settling for 17th.
• Las Vegas Motor Speedway (March 2) – In a race dominated by powerhouse teams, Herbst managed to bring home another respectable 17th-place result at his hometown track.
While three straight finishes outside the top 10 might not seem remarkable at first glance, Herbst’s consistency is notable given the challenges of NASCAR’s ever-evolving competition.
What’s Next?
For Herbst, the goal will be to build on this early-season steadiness and push for better results. His next opportunity comes at Phoenix Raceway, a track where he has performed well in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Whether he keeps the 17th-place streak alive or breaks through to a better finish, his unusual start has already etched his name in the record books.
As the season unfolds, it will be interesting to see if this statistical oddity translates into something bigger—just as it did for Biffle in 2012.
