Riley Herbst

Herbst was the big winner in the Xfinity Series free agency shuffle. The 21-year-old Nevadan moves from Joe Gibbs Racing to Stewart Haas Racing in 2021. Herbst will take over the strong No. 98 Ford. This team propelled Chase Briscoe last season to nine victories and 16 Top-15 finishes. While they pulled up short in the chase for the championship, the No. 98 team was one of the more dominant entries in the 2020 season. Herbst will attempt to keep this team racing at a high level. He'll have his work cut out for him. Herbst compiled 17 Top 10's and no wins in his first full season of Xfinity Series action last year. He is talented, but a bit unproven to this point in his NASCAR career. It would be overly ambitious to expect Briscoe-like numbers out of Herbst in 2021. However, this strong race team will bring out the best in him. We expect multiple wins, 20+ Top 10's and an outside run at the championship.

After two seasons of part-time, preparatory racing in the Xfinity and Gander Truck Series, Herbst is ready to go full-time in 2020. He will be a Rookie of the Year candidate and make a strong bid to claim those honors. Herbst has spent the majority of his time racing in the K&N and ARCA Series the last four seasons, while he only has 17-combined starts in the Xfinity and Gander Truck Series. The lack of seat time in NASCAR's upper divisions is a bit concerning. However, Herbst did show some flashes in his nine Xfinity Series starts last season. The youngster will be guided by veteran crew chief Dave Rogers and two will look to hit the ground running in the upcoming season. Herbst still has a lot to learn, so inconsistency could be an issue for this driver and team well into 2020 campaign.

Signed to race with Joe Gibbs Racing in the No. 18 Toyota this season. Herbst will make eight starts in the team's powerful Toyota Supra. The 19-year-old driver is a rising talent, and should make good impact in his handful of starts.