Last weekend at Daytona International Speedway, Riley Herbst made the decision to step out of the No. 35 23XI Racing Toyota after experiencing a flare-up of symptoms tied to a hard crash he suffered the week prior at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
On Saturday at Darlington Raceway, Herbst revealed in a media availability that the ailment that plagued him following the hard crash was a diagnosed concussion.
“I got diagnosed with a concussion after the wreck in Loudon,” Herbst explained.
Here is a video of the crash, which led to Herbst sustaining a concussion:
Trouble for @rileyherbst!
The No. 35 Toyota spins after contact with @Mc_Driver. pic.twitter.com/TkPLl6JSTz
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) August 23, 2026
Following the diagnosis, Herbst was touch-and-go all week leading into the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway, but the driver said he was ultimately medically cleared for the race weekend after passing his concussion tests leading into the race, and he felt like his symptoms had disappeared.
Then, after qualifying fifth for last Saturday night’s race, Herbst says the symptoms came back stronger than ever.
“When I felt that I was clear to pass, I passed all of my tests the week leading up to Daytona. Obviously, I qualified in the race car and had really fast speed. And then I woke up Saturday morning feeling really, really rough,” Herbst recalled. “Trouble with all the symptoms, the worst I’ve had since the wreck. So, I thought it was the best idea for me to step out and let Harrison [Burton] drive the race car.”
Thankfully, Herbst erred on the side of caution and made way for Harrison Burton to compete in the event. In his place, Burton, who was making his first NASCAR Cup Series start of the season, would finish a respectable 12th behind the wheel of the No. 35 Toyota.
A week later, Herbst says he is completely clear of concussion symptoms and is fully healthy and ready to chase a victory in the crown jewel Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.
“Yeah, it’s good. No symptoms this week. Back to 100%. So, yeah, concussion-free,” Herbst said.
It’s been a whirlwind few weeks for Herbst. After suffering the crash at New Hampshire, which sidelined him for Daytona, Herbst announced his plans for the 2027 NASCAR Cup Series season earlier this week in an event at Ten Tenths Motor Club in Concord, NC.
Herbst will drive for LEGACY MOTOR CLUB full-time in a multi-year contract beginning in 2027. Herbst will slide behind the wheel of the No. 84 Toyota for LEGACY MOTOR CLUB next season.
