Driver Riley Herbst won't race at Daytona because of 'lingering effects' from crash

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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Riley Herbst won't compete in the NASCAR Cup Series regular-season finale at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday night because of “lingering effects” from a crash last weekend.

His team, 23XI Racing, made the announcement hours before the 400-mile race and said Harrison Burton will replace Herbst in the No. 35 Toyota.

Herbst qualified fifth Friday, but Burton will have to start at the back of the field because of the driver change.

“After a strong effort in qualifying (Friday), Riley Herbst woke up with lingering effects from last weekend’s incident and, along with the team, decided it was in his best interest to step out of the car for (Saturday's) race at Daytona International Speedway,” 23XI Racing said.

Herbst was involved in a crash at New Hampshire Motor Speedway last Sunday, with his car backing into the outside barrier before being struck again in the front of the vehicle.

Burton will make his first Cup Series start since 2024. The son of NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Jeff Burton won the summer race at Daytona two years ago.

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