DARLINGTON, S.C. — Riley Herbst has provided the reason why he missed last weekend's regular-season finale at Daytona International Speedway.
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The 23XI Racing driver said that he had woken up with concussion symptoms, which he called the worst he had since a crash at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
"I got diagnosed with a concussion after the wreck in Loudon, and I thought that I was cleared to, to pass," Herbst told media members at Darlington Raceway. "I passed all my tests the week leading up to Daytona.
"Obviously, I qualified in the race car, and had really fast speed, and then I woke up Saturday morning, feeling really, really rough with trouble with all the symptoms, the worst I've had since the wreck. So, I thought it was the best idea for me to step out and let Harrison (Burton) drive the race car, but back to being 100%."
The wreck occurred during the final stage of the Aug. 23 race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Herbst spun into the outside wall after contact from Michael McDowell, and then Connor Zilisch slammed into his car at a high rate of speed.
Herbst went through the week leading up to the Daytona race, fully expecting to compete once again. However, the symptoms resurfaced, which led to his first missed race in his Cup career.
This only further drove home how concussions are not like a normal injury.
"Concussions are a super weird health issue, health problem that honestly, it's an evolving matter," he said. "It's not like you can X-ray your arm and see a broken bone or see it not broken.
"It's all about how you feel. In one day, you can feel 100%, and then I can wake up Saturday morning, like I did last week, and struggle to get out of bed."
The week leading into the Southern 500 has progressed much better for Herbst, who announced on Thursday that he will join Legacy Motor Club in 2027. He appears set to return to the lineup after he missed the race at Daytona.
The second-year Cup Series driver has taken part in all of the pre-race prep that fills out each week of the season. He also tested his body (unofficially) during the event announcing his deal with Legacy MC.
He drove a Toyota GR Supra around the Ten Tenths Motor Club in Concord, North Carolina, and he drove the car to the limit while destroying a set of tires.
"We were at the sim, so I've been into sim every single day this week — no symptoms," Herbst said. "I've worked out every single day this week — no symptoms.
"And yeah, I did those little ride alongs on Thursday with no symptoms, so obviously nobody knows until you hop in the race car, but I've been cleared of all activities and looking forward to completing another Southern 500."
