On Thursday afternoon, at an event at the Ten Tenths Motor Club in Concord, NC, Riley Herbst was officially welcomed as the latest driver to compete for LEGACY MOTOR CLUB in the NASCAR Cup Series. Herbst will pilot the team’s No. 84 Toyota beginning in 2027 on a multi-year driving contract.
Monster Energy, Herbst’s longtime partner, will serve as the anchor sponsorship partner for the effort.
Herbst, 27, is excited for the next chapter in his NASCAR Cup Series career.
“I’m excited to join LEGACY MOTOR CLUB and drive the No. 84,” said Herbst. “My career has been a journey with a lot of highs and a lot of lows, and I’ve learned every step of the way — from my crew chiefs, my mentors, and my family. This new chapter is another opportunity to learn and grow in the NASCAR Cup Series, and I’m grateful for the chance to help Jimmie continue to build what LEGACY is becoming.”
Herbst suffered through a miserable rookie campaign in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2025, a season in which he didn’t record a top-10 finish. However, the Las Vegas native has shown growth this year, as he already has three top-10 finishes through the opening 26 races of the year.
The racer feels like he is finally getting over the steep learning curve that comes along with moving to the NASCAR Cup Series.
“My first two seasons in the Cup Series have taught me a great deal,” Herbst explained. “Every driver goes through a learning curve, and the move to LEGACY MOTOR CLUB is another step forward in that process. There is still plenty ahead of me, and I’m looking forward to taking it on.”
Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson, co-owner of the LEGACY MOTOR CLUB team, who started his racing career in the off-road racing scene where the Herbst family has been legendary, is excited to partner with Herbst next season.
“I have watched Riley grow as a driver, and I know what he is capable of,” said Johnson. “The connection our families share through off-road racing made this feel like a natural fit from the start. I am excited to give him a home where he can continue to develop and show what he can do in the Cup Series.”
Will the combination of Herbst and LEGACY MOTOR CLUB be a fruitful one? Only time will tell, but the acquisition of Herbst is an interesting one for the LEGACY MOTOR CLUB team, which expands to three full-time Cup Series entries next season.
The team has yet to announce the next driver of its No. 42 Toyota following the announced departure of John Hunter Nemechek at the end of the season. Josh Berry is expected to be the driver who ultimately lands the No. 42 ride next season.
