Denny Hamlin’s 23XI Racing team is caught in the spotlight after a major setback involving rookie Riley Herbst at Charlotte Motor Speedway, intensifying ongoing debates around the Denny Hamlin 23XI Racing controversy. On a weekend already fraught with difficulties, NASCAR officials disqualified Herbst following the Bank of America ROVAL 400, citing a violation of post-race weight regulations.
Herbst Loses Finish and Points After Inspection Failure
Riley Herbst initially completed the 109-lap Cup Series event on the 2.28-mile Charlotte road course in 30th place. An inspection, however, found weight discrepancies, sending Herbst from his original finish down to 37th in the official classification. The penalty strips the Las Vegas driver of six valuable Cup Series championship points. Despite the penalty, the outcome of the playoffs remains unchanged, as four drivers had already been eliminated by the event’s conclusion.
Limited Impact on Other Drivers’ Playoff Hopes
With Herbst’s disqualification, several drivers including Erik Jones, Austin Dillon, Josh Bilicki, Cody Ware, Kyle Busch, Brad Keselowski, and Austin Cindric each move up one position. Of these, only Austin Cindric, a playoff contender, is affected. The minor improvement does little for Cindric, as it does not help him advance to the next round and ends his playoff campaign.
“NEWS: The No. 88 car clears post-race inspection at @CLTMotorSpdwy. The win is official for @shanevg97!
The No. 35 car has been disqualified for failing post-race weights. There are no changes to the Round of 8 drivers. pic.twitter.com/CO24WBMXIP
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) October 6, 2025”
Herbst’s Tough Rookie Season with 23XI Racing
The disqualification caps off a grueling weekend for Herbst. During Saturday practice, the rookie lost control entering Turn 5 and crashed into the tire barriers, briefly nearly overturning before rejoining the track. Despite sustaining damage, the 23XI Racing crew managed to repair the car, enabling Herbst to take additional practice laps and qualify 33rd.
Herbst’s struggles localize broader concerns for Denny Hamlin and the team. Across 32 starts this rookie season, Herbst has yet to secure a top-10 finish, with an average placement of 26.3 and his best showing being a 14th-place at Texas earlier in the year.
Looming Legal Troubles for 23XI Racing
This episode emerges as the last thing 23XI Racing would want amid intensifying legal disputes. NASCAR has recently issued summary judgments in an ongoing lawsuit, strongly criticizing the team by referencing what it calls a “bruised ego” and “greed.” With the Denny Hamlin 23XI Racing controversy already headline news, the organization now faces heightened scrutiny and mounting pressure as the legal and on-track challenges continue to unfold.
The setbacks at Charlotte Motor Speedway not only compound Herbst’s challenging transition into the Cup Series but also further complicate the campaign for Denny Hamlin’s 23XI Racing as the organization attempts to regain momentum against a backdrop of both competitive and legal hurdles.
NEWS: The No. 88 car clears post-race inspection at @CLTMotorSpdwy. The win is official for @shanevg97!
The No. 35 car has been disqualified for failing post-race weights. There are no changes to the Round of 8 drivers. pic.twitter.com/CO24WBMXIP
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) October 6, 2025
