Riley Herbst, the rising star of the Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) banner, knows a thing or two about overcoming doubt. After half a decade of consistent top-10 finishes in the Xfinity Series with no wins to show for it, the pressure was mounting. Then, in October 2023, in his hometown at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, everything clicked. Not only did #98 finally break through for his first career Xfinity Series victory, but he did it dominantly, leaving doubters in the dust.

Now, as Riley Herbst embarks on the 2024 season with a partial Cup Series schedule for Rick Ware Racing, he reflects on how his only Xfinity victory transcended the checkered flag, influencing not only his trajectory but also the future promotions of Stewart-Haas Racing.

The No. 98’s rise aligns with the core values of SHR

Herbst’s victory last October turned into a rallying cry for the Stewart-Haas Racing Xfinity team. His post-race declaration, “I flat out just beat them,” wasn’t just any moment of elation; it resonated deeply with SHR’s core values of authenticity and grit. However, this powerful quote has transcended the Las Vegas victory lap, finding its way into recent SHR promotional videos for the 2024 season.

In a recent interview with Bob Pockrass on FOX, Riley Herbst shared his thoughts on the recent buzz surrounding his quote, “I think it just validated to myself what I could do. From what a lot of people said I couldn’t do, either behind my back or told me to my face.”

Herbst’s words hit hard. ‘Authenticity’ and grit are key components of SHR’s competitive attitude, a well-known fact. These same attributes were embodied in his maiden Xfinity victory at Vegas. “Everything about that [victory quote] was said was true,” Herbst continued. “Our image used to be authentic. That’s a true statement. So I just think that it falls into the characteristics of Stewart Haas Racing.”

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This authenticity is precisely what resonates with co-owner Tony Stewart and the entire SHR. The team and the legend have always prided themselves on being genuine and direct, and Herbst’s sentiments perfectly capture that fact.

Superspeedway prowess to be Key to 2024 Success?

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Nevertheless, Herbst, fresh off his breakthrough win, kicks off his 2024 season by piloting the #15 Monster Energy Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Rick Ware Racing (RWR) in the Daytona 500. However, this part-time Cup Series gig isn’t just about superspeedway glory. It could also be a potential launching pad for a full-time Cup Series run.

With two top-10 finishes in his last four Cup Series outings, including a 10th-place finish at the 2023 Daytona 500 season opener, this part-time stint allows the Nevada native to hone his skills and potentially impress Cup teams for a full-time future. However, these unpredictable races can be a gamble. While strong superspeedway finishes could boost his profile, bad luck could overshadow his Xfinity Series aspirations.

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Furthermore, his 2023 Xfinity season was impressive as well; with 16 top-10 finishes, he narrowly missed the playoffs. This year, he’ll aim to build on that momentum and finally reach the championship rounds, and maybe even challenge for the championship. Will he conquer Daytona, dominate the Xfinity Series, and lock in his Cup Series future in 2024? The green flag is about to drop on February 18th, and all the answers are waiting on the racetrack.