Updated Aug. 29, 2026, 3:11 p.m. CT
23XI Racing driver Riley Herbst will not compete in the NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona today due to health concerns, the team announced.
Herbst, who drives the No. 35 Toyota, experienced “lingering effects from last week's incident” at New Hampshire, according to the team. He was involved in a hard crash after colliding with Michael McDowell.
Harrison Burton will replace Herbst and drive the No. 35 in the Coke Zero Sugar 400. Although Herbst qualified fifth, Burton will start from the back of the field due to the driver change.
“After a strong effort in qualifying, Riley decided it was best to step out of the car for tonight's race at Daytona International Speedway,” the team stated on social media.
Herbst, 27, qualified for the race on Aug. 28 and expressed gratitude for his safety during an interview, stating, “I'm grateful to be alive each day.” He ranks 26th in the points standings, with three top-10 finishes, including an eighth-place finish in the Daytona 500.
Burton, a former Cup Series winner at Daytona, is currently competing full-time in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series. He finished eighth in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series race on Aug. 28.