CONCORD, N.C. — Legacy Motor Club is looking forward to the future and naming Riley Herbst as the new driver for its No. 84 Toyota Camry XSE.
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This could be a simple driver deal, but team owner Jimmie Johnson made a point to say that Herbst is the future of the team.
Legacy Motor Club held a special event at the Ten Tenths Motor Club on Thursday so that it could celebrate the past, present, and future, which will include expanding to a three-car operation.
"Richard (Petty) and I are the past," Johnson told select media members on Thursday. "You know, we're in the present, which I think you could more picture around Erik Jones as the present of us and bring us along.
"And Riley at his age and what he's been able to accomplish in his growth in the last two years, he could be our future. Excited about it."
For Johnson, this deal involving Herbst started to come together back in March. The seven-time Cup Series champion received an offer from Herbst's father, Troy, to come and race an off-road truck.
This is not a new offer, but it is one that Johnson accepted this year. It took him back to his racing roots, and it gave him more time to spend with his future driver. Although Johnson had known the Herbst family for decades before this race due to his history racing off-road.
Riley Herbst is officially the driver of the No. 84 Toyota in 2027. pic.twitter.com/LX72JNgFel
— John Newby (@JohnNewby_) September 3, 2026
"I have watched Riley grow as a driver, and I know what he is capable of," Johnson said in a press release. "The connection our families share through off-road racing made this feel like a natural fit from the start.
"I am excited to give him a home where he can continue to develop and show what he can do in the Cup Series."
Johnson has already seen some glimpses of Herbst's potential on the race track. He also knows that the Las Vegas native has a unique background that should help him continue to make strides in the sport.
"There's a certain discipline that you learn on the dirt driving those vehicles that I really feel like gives you a huge advantage in a Cup car, and I was able to exploit that," Johnson explained on Thursday.
"And then you take the work ethic and commitment this young man has, his dedication and focus to being the best driver he can be. He's a perfect fit for us, and he's the the future of Legacy."
Riley Herbst unveils his Monster Energy-sponsored Toyota. pic.twitter.com/mGxrdiHqxz
— John Newby (@JohnNewby_) September 3, 2026
Herbst, 27, has competed full-time in the Cup Series since the 2025 season. He has driven the No. 35 Toyota for 23XI Racing while posting three top-10 finishes and showing glimpses of an ability to contend.
The Las Vegas native struggled during his rookie season as he posted five DNFs and an average finish of 26.4. He also posted an average starting position of 27.0 while starting inside of the top 10 one time.
This season, however, Herbst has shown progress. His average finish is now 22.2 and his average starting position is 22.1. He has 10 finishes inside the top 20, already surpassing his career-best mark from last season (eight).
He contended inside of the top five late at Bristol Motor Speedway, but he ultimately finished 21st after being spun by Kyle Busch in the closing laps.
Herbst will now close out the 2026 season in the No. 35 Toyota Camry. He will continue to gain experience in the Gen 7 car, and then he will turn the page and move over to Legacy Motor Club.
This will present the opportunity to further showcase growth while continuing working with some veterans of the sport.
"I've got to learn from three of the best — Tyler (Reddick), Bubba (Wallace), and Denny (Hamlin)," Herbst said. "So I learned so much. Obviously, that first year it was rough skiing, for sure. But I feel like this year we've we've turned the page and we've really progressed with pace and speed and finishes.
"So I'm honestly — like I said before — I'm very grateful to have really good teammates in Bubba and Tyler that have taught me how to prepare and being able to go to what is a 60-time winner in Denny to ask for questions. And I feel like I'll have that same... teammates and leadership over here at Legacy with, obviously Erik (Jones), his experience, and a seven-time champion."
