Denny Hamlin Drops Shocking Truth About Riley Herbst’s Career at 23XI Racing

In November 2024, Denny Hamlin’s 23XI Racing, co-owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan, made a strategic move by adding a third car to its NASCAR Cup Series lineup. The addition of 25-year-old Riley Herbst, fresh off a P7 finish in the 2024 Xfinity Series, has sparked anticipation for the upcoming season. Taking on the #35 Toyota Camry, Herbst will have big shoes to fill, and Hamlin has already shared his honest, though cautiously optimistic, expectations for his new teammate.

High Hopes, But Caution in Expectations

On a recent episode of his podcast, Actions Detrimental, Denny Hamlin opened up about his expectations for Herbst’s debut season. “I really feel confident that Riley will outperform expectations this year. I think he’s very hungry, very focused, and very underrated when it comes to talent,” Hamlin shared, setting a positive tone for the new driver. However, Hamlin was quick to temper his enthusiasm by adding, “I’m very, very careful with expectations, but I think he’ll be a driver who will contend inside the top 20 on most weeks.”

A Realistic Approach for a Rookie

In a sport as high-stakes as NASCAR, managing expectations is crucial. Hamlin emphasized the importance of keeping things realistic for a rookie like Herbst, especially when transitioning to a new team. “You have to be realistic with the expectations of a rookie coming into a new team,” Hamlin noted. He also expressed confidence that, as the season progresses, Herbst will continue to improve and gain momentum.

Drawing from his experiences with current 23XI drivers Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace, Hamlin explained that his expectations evolve year by year. Hamlin’s philosophy revolves around continuous improvement, and he intends to see the same growth from Herbst. “I expect my drivers to get better each year, and that includes Riley.”

Setting the Bar for Herbst’s Development

With nearly two decades of experience in NASCAR, Hamlin’s expectations are naturally high, but he’s also pragmatic. Having consistently finished in the top 10 of the standings throughout his career, he would love to see the same consistency from his rookie drivers. However, he acknowledged that Riley Herbst’s performance won’t be solely judged by his finishing positions.

Instead, Hamlin is keen to evaluate Herbst’s raw talent—the same talent that earned him a spot on the team. “I want to see Riley’s ability to handle the Next Gen cars and grow in terms of speed and performance,” Hamlin explained. While top 20 finishes are a reasonable target, Hamlin is equally focused on the results and how those translate into development over the course of the season. Ultimately, it’s the outcomes that will determine whether Herbst’s season can be considered a success.

Looking Ahead: A New Era for 23XI Racing

As Herbst embarks on his rookie season with 23XI Racing, expectations are high, but they are tempered with a sense of reality. With Denny Hamlin’s guidance and the backing of a team co-owned by one of the most iconic figures in sports history, Riley Herbst has the opportunity to develop into a formidable force in the NASCAR Cup Series. Whether he can meet the high bar set for him will depend on his ability to adapt, grow, and deliver consistent results.

For fans of NASCAR, the 2025 season promises to be an exciting one as Herbst takes on the challenge of proving himself within the competitive 23XI Racing stable. The real question remains: Can Riley Herbst live up to the hype, or will he fall short of the high expectations placed on him?