Things aren’t looking good for 23XI Racing. They took on an uphill fight against NASCAR, with a lawsuit challenging the existing charter system. At the same time, their driver Tyler Reddick faced a tough battle in the Championship race, eventually losing out to Joey Logano. If that wasn’t enough, Michael Jordan and Co. had their injunction to race in 2025 dismissed by a federal judge.

In what seems to be a string of unfortunate events, there was a small ray of sunshine for 23XI fans, their new driver. After Michael Jordan and Co. teased the arrival of a new member in the team (despite not finalizing the purchase of a third charter), they faced a massive backlash from fans who were not happy with the new signing, Riley Herbst.

Riley Herbst was picked as Michael Jordan’s third driver

With the exit of Stewart-Haas Racing after decades of winning races, there was the question of what would happen to their charters. Luckily for Tony Stewart and Gene Haas, Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin came looking for another charter. They wanted to add a third car to their roster. However, with the lawsuit unfolding, things stalled on the charter. As 23XI appealed for their failed injunction, they didn’t hesitate to announce who would fill the third seat. It was Riley Herbst.

While Riley Herbst didn’t win the Xfinity Series title, he did win the final race at Phoenix, finishing the season 7th. Although this has been his best finish, Michael Jordan believes that he is ready to take on the Cup Series. He put up a tough fight against the charging Justin Allgaier who looked to secure his first-ever Xfinity title.

In a recent announcement, Bob Pockrass revealed, “23XI Racing names Riley Herbst as the driver of its new car, the No. 35 (the 3 from 23 and the 5 from 45 combined for 35). Monster to sponsor. Herbst brings crew chief Davin Restivo with him to 23XI as crew chief. TBD on charter status (supposed to acquire one from SHR).” His most recent wins came at some iconic tracks—Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and Phoenix, capping off his 2024 season in style. Now, with 23XI Racing, he’s looking forward to taking that momentum into NASCAR’s top series.

“I’m excited to start my Cup career with such an accomplished and driven team,” said Herbst. “Racing full-time in the Cup Series has been my goal since I started in NASCAR.” This announcement comes as 23XI Racing enters its fifth season and continues to expand its footprint in the Cup Series, joining veterans Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick as Herbst’s teammates.

Looking at the upcoming lineup of 23XI Racing, fans are not happy to23XI Racing announces their new Cup Series driver, but fans are questioning the decision over a popular alternative see Riley Herbst get a seat in the Cup Series car as most of them have been vouching for Corey Heim’s time. Although Corey Heim was speculated to join Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin‘s team, his second-place finish in the Xfinity Series championship was not enough to get him a spot in the Cup Series team and this was something that the fans were just not having.

Corey Heim emerges as a fan favorite despite Riley Herbst finding a seat in the Cup Series

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Fans aren’t keeping their frustrations with 23XI Racing’s decision to bring in Riley Herbst a secret. Their reactions are both sharp and vocal. The general sentiment is one of disbelief, with many questioning the logic behind putting Herbst, who has won just three races in over three years, into a Cup Series car. “What a M- joke. Dude has 3 wins in 3+ YEARS. Corey Heim >>>” sums up the disappointment of fans who believe that Corey Heim, who finished second in the Xfinity Series championship with many more wins, would have been a much better pick for the seat.

Some fans are taking the criticism to a personal level, calling Herbst a “spoiled rich kid” who hasn’t proven enough to earn a Cup seat. One fan rips into the situation, saying, “Great. Another spoiled rich kid about to fill the cockpit.” It also highlights a big part of signing drivers – sponsorships. Backing Riley Herbst is Monster Energy, a big name in the motorsports world. In addition to them, Herbst also brings in a whole host of other sponsors for the team. In the end, it might just be a practical choice considering Michael Jordan and Co. may have to run as an open team in 2025.

A few fans are speculating that this move might be more about the lawsuit than racing talent. One user, for instance, believes Denny Hamlin might be using this decision as a strategic play in the ongoing legal battle. “Convinced Denny is only doing this for more of a case in his lawsuit. He’ll say he wanted to hire Heim but was forced to hire Herbst to stay financially afloat. What a joke either way.” It’s clear that for some, the decision feels like part of a larger corporate game rather than a merit-based move.

Others are more cautious and unsure about Herbst’s readiness, questioning whether he’s truly prepared for the jump to the Cup Series. “Anyone else think this move is a little too soon for Riley?” a fan asks, reflecting the skepticism that many have regarding his qualifications. This is also augmented by the fact that Riley Herbst only managed three wins in seven seasons. With Tyler Reddick, 23XI had an Xfinity champ coming on board. Fans don’t think Michael Jordan and Co. made a wise choice with the Herbst pick.

Lastly, some fans seem baffled by the entire situation, seeing it as a series of missteps. “Ultra-extreme reach for a developmental driver >Default, low-paying Monster sponsorship >No charters next year. This seems like a good idea.” For them, it’s a mix of questionable decisions—picking a development driver who hasn’t shown much, taking on a sponsorship deal with Monster that feels like a default option, and the uncertainty about charter status for the next season. All in all, they’re left scratching their heads.

Do you think that 23XI Racing should have gone with Corey Heim instead of Herbst? Share your thoughts in the comments below.