As Riley Herbst prepares for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, he carries the burden of proving himself beyond his rookie experience last year. Despite gaining initial exposure, Herbst is widely understood to be competing for his seat at 23XI Racing amid mounting pressure to raise his performance.
Insider Jordan Bianchi from The Athletic highlighted the precarious situation on a recent episode of The Teardown podcast, emphasizing that Herbst’s results must improve to meet team standards. With teammates Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick showing strong performances, Herbst’s current standing leaves him vulnerable.
Struggles and Pressures Facing Herbst After His Rookie Year
In his debut season, Riley Herbst managed only two top-10 finishes and concluded the year 35th in the overall standings, a position insufficient to secure long-term status at 23XI. The team’s expectations are high, and they likely expect more consistent results given the competitive environment.
Bianchi remarked,
“There’s work to do there. I mean when your teammates (are) running as well as (Bubba) Wallace and (Tyler) Reddick are you can’t be buried in points like you are. Second full season in the Cup Series. OK, now let’s put last year to bed and move forward.”
– Jordan Bianchi, Insider
Adding to the pressure is the looming presence of Corey Heim, a promising driver waiting for an opportunity within 23XI. This means Herbst’s performance is under intense scrutiny as the team considers its options for the future.
Intense Focus on Performance and Team Decisions Ahead
Bianchi further stressed the critical nature of Herbst’s situation, noting,
“We talked about free agency drivers, Riley Herbst is one of those guys who is under a microscope this year and is going to have to produce. There’s a lot of people looking at that seat as a possibility. Let’s not forget 23XI has got Corey Heim sitting on its bench, and what they’re going to do with Corey, that could be a possibility.”
– Jordan Bianchi, Insider
Although expectations from last year were high, with veteran Kevin Harvick predicting Herbst as a breakout rookie, the results fell short. Now, Herbst is at a crossroads where his future with the team hangs on improved results during the 2026 season.
What Lies Ahead for Riley Herbst and 23XI Racing
Bianchi summarized Herbst’s challenge succinctly,
“The best thing for Riley Herbst to do is to go out and perform. You want to keep your ride with this top team, go out and produce results. But that’s on Riley to do that.”
– Jordan Bianchi, Insider
The 2026 season will be pivotal for Herbst, as his ability to meet the team’s performance demands will determine whether he remains at 23XI or if the team opts for a change by 2027. With talent waiting in the wings and a top-level team to impress, the pressure on Riley Herbst 23XI pressure is undeniable and will shape his professional trajectory in the near future.
