Herbst Contract Extension: It has been officially announced that Riley Herbst will return to Stewart-Haas Racing’s Xfinity Series team for the 2024 season. This solidifies his status and takes him out of the running to replace the respected Aric Almirola. The top levels of NASCAR have heard about this move.
Stewart-Haas Racing clarified that Herbst would be working in the NASCAR Xfinity Series before the big engines roared at Las Vegas Motor Speedway over the last race weekend. He’s ready to take control of the No. 98 Ford for the fourth time in a row. This will be his fifth entire season in this fast-paced sport.
Herbst, born in Las Vegas, Nevada, and is now 24 years old, made NASCAR history. He did something unique in response to the new deal, leading to his first NASCAR National Series win in Las Vegas. Before this win, he had yet to succeed in 153 NASCAR National Series races, and an impressive 138 Xfinity Series starts.
There may have been cheers for Herbst when he won, but there is worry in the Stewart-Haas Racing team. As it turns out, Aric Almirola is considering going after the 2023 season. He was almost done with his career after the 2022 season. This thought, a whisper in the racing world’s wind, makes me think that Stewart-Haas Racing may lose its competitive Cup Series slot.
Kevin Harvick finally left the No. 4 Ford, thanks to Josh Berry’s moves on the chessboard of driver placements. His remarkable career will end after the 2023 season. Unquestionably, it was a planned move. Even with this driver dance, Chase Briscoe and Ryan Preece will likely get back into the No. 14 Ford and the No. 41 Ford, respectively.
There is a lot of talk that Herbst could easily replace Almirola because he has a deal until 2024, but the truth is more complicated. Herbst is firmly rooted in the Xfinity Series fight with the new contract he signed. It’s a tactical reserve that lets him know his run to the Cup Series title will not happen.
The timing of this statement is critical. It doesn’t guarantee either Cole Custer’s fate or Almirola’s comeback. In 2022, Custer faced a dilemma after being let go from his Cup Series job with Stewart-Haas Racing. Even though Custer had a great 2023 season, Stewart-Haas Racing has yet to say where he will fit in their 2024 Xfinity Series schedule. There is a tempting air of doubt around him because he has strong ties to the team, including business deals that could back up his claim.
In the rough world of NASCAR, where power meets planning, the puzzle pieces are still moving. Even though the noise of the engines can be heard in the race hallways, these whispers of change and excitement shape the futures of drivers and teams.
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Our Reader’s Queries
Who will replace Aric Almirola in 2024?
Stewart-Haas Racing is set to make some major moves in its NASCAR Cup Series program come 2024. The team will bid farewell to Kevin Harvick and Aric Almirola, with Josh Berry and Noah Gragson stepping in to take their places. Berry will take over the No. 4 car, while Gragson will be behind the wheel of the No. 10 car. These changes are sure to shake things up and bring a fresh perspective to the team.
