Rick Ware Racing has signed Riley Herbst, a full-time driver in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for Stewart-Haas Racing, to compete in the season-opening Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway, the team announced Tuesday.
Herbst will drive the No. 15 SUNNYD Ford Mustang in ‘The Great American Race’, which will serve as the driver’s debut in the NASCAR Cup Series. With Rick Ware Racing’s No. 15 holding a charter, the Las Vegas, Nevada native is guaranteed to start the 500-mile contest.
Rick Ware, owner of Rick Ware Racing, enters his 40th season of involvement in motorsports, with the organization’s presence stretching across numerous different series, including the NASCAR Cup Series, NTT IndyCar Series, IMSA WeaterTech Sportscar Championship, Supercross, and more.
“It’s great to have Riley making his first NASCAR Cup Series start with RWR and be a part of the next step in his career,” said Rick Ware, team owner. “We are very pleased to partner with Harvest Hill Beverage Company and promote its SunnyD brand on our No. 15 Ford Mustang in such an incredible event.”
For Herbst, who in 109 NASCAR Xfinity Series starts has notched a pair of pole positions, as well as 17 top-five and 54 top-10 finishes, the debut in the NASCAR Cup Series marks the next step in his career, after having spent the last three seasons strictly in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
“As a kid, you always dream of being able to race in the Daytona 500, and I’m able to accomplish that with Rick Ware Racing,” said Herbst. “It’s such a big event and for it to be my first Cup start will be a crazy experience. I’m looking forward to seeing what I can do behind the wheel of the No. 15 SunnyD Ford Mustang.”
SUNNYD and Harvest Hill Beverage Company join Herbst and Rick Ware Racing for a Daytona 500 run, as part of a join agreement with Stewart-Haas Racing, in which the company will serve as a two-race primary sponsor of Kevin Harvick, and a full-season associate of Herbst’s Xfinity Series entry.
“I’m appreciative to RWR for this opportunity. They’re a team that has a lot of experience in the NASCAR Cup Series, so it’ll be a chance to learn,” Herbst continued. “The Fords have been fast in the Daytona 500 the last few years and their teamwork has helped them find victory lane. I’m hoping to lean on and learn from the other Ford drivers throughout the week as I get more comfortable in the Next Gen car and prepare for the Great American Race.”
