Riley Herbst admits he’s ‘not confident’ about 2025 NASCAR plans

Riley Herbst admitted Tuesday he’s “not confident” about his plans for the 2025 NASCAR season, per Joseph Srigley of TobyChristie.com.

Herbst’s focus remains on the No. 98 Stewart-Haas Racing team and advancing far into the Xfinity Series playoffs, which get underway this Saturday at Kansas.

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The 25-year-old has continued to progress in the Xfinity Series, taking the checkered flag at Indianapolis in July. In 165 Xfinity Series starts, Herbst has tallied two wins and 81 top 10s. Herbst has recorded four consecutive top-15 finishes in the points standings and is hoping to go even further in the 2024 postseason.

Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports provided an update last Tuesday on who will possibly join 23XI Racing in a full-time capacity in a charter likely acquired from Stewart-Haas Racing. Pockrass mentioned Herbst, who has strong sponsorship with Monster Energy. Monster already has a relationship with 23XI, and Pockrass believes that marriage makes the most sense.

Pockrass added that 23XI has been hiring employees for a third car next year despite the uncertainty with the charter situation. 23XI was one of two teams to not sign NASCAR’s final charter offer at Atlanta earlier this month.

Riley Herbst focused on Xfinity Series playoffs amid 2025 uncertainty

Herbst has eight Cup Series starts under his belt, tallying two top 10s. He previously said in June he had “a lot of options on the table” as it relates to opportunities in 2025.

“I think there’s a lot of things going on behind the scenes, but it’s not really just about Riley Herbst, it’s Monster Energy as well. The biggest thing is trying to see what’s right for me, what’s right for Monster Energy,” Herbst said. “I have really good people around me with Josh Jones and Kevin Harvick trying to guide me in the right position and I’m going to lean on their experience. I did last year and I’m going to again this year.

“There’s a lot of options on the table, so we’re looking forward to everything and hearing everybody out.”