Herbst Looks to Future While Honoring Kyle Busch's Impact
Source: KTNV Channel 13 Las Vegas Sports. Casualplayhub News adds summary, context, and editorial framing while linking back to the original report.
Riley Herbst is still carving his path in the NASCAR Cup Series, but the 25-year-old driver from Las Vegas has already mapped out the next big turn. In his second full-time season at the sport's highest level, Herbst announced he will join Legacy Motor Club in 2027 — the team co-owned by seven-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson. The move brings Herbst full circle, linking him to a childhood idol and a franchise that has redefined excellence in stock car racing.
“Grateful to Legacy Motor Club, Monster Energy and Toyota for keeping me in this and hopefully for years to come,” Herbst said. The sentiment goes beyond a professional transaction. For Herbst, driving for Johnson’s organization carries personal weight. “Jimmie is a great hero of mine, a childhood legend for sure,” he explained. That connection deepens with the number on his car: Herbst will race the No. 84, a playful reversal of the famous No. 48 that Johnson drove to all seven of his championships. “It's kind of reverse of the 48, which Jimmie made so famous and well known. So kind of a cool play on that,” Herbst said with a smile.
But as much as Herbst looks forward, he also looks back — with heavy appreciation. The memory of Kyle Busch looms large over his career. Busch, another Las Vegas native and a two-time Cup Series champion, died unexpectedly in May after battling a sudden illness. His passing sent shockwaves through the racing world, especially in his hometown.
“Very heavy hearts, just very, very tough,” Herbst said. “Kyle paved the way for me and Noah [Gragson] and a lot of local NASCAR drivers to come from Las Vegas. He's a true champion of our sport on and off the racetrack.”
Herbst credits Busch with instilling the relentless drive that defines his own approach. The two worked together at Kyle Busch Motorsports, where Herbst cut his teeth in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. “Driving for him at Kyle Busch Motorsports, he demanded perfection, he demanded winning, and if you didn't win, it was kind of a failure,” Herbst recalled. “I think he taught myself and a bunch of young drivers the process and the demand and the want to win. He was a true winner and he will definitely be missed.”
That mindset has served Herbst well as he transitions to the Cup Series full time. While he hasn't yet visited victory lane at the top level, his consistency and growth have caught the attention of team owners. Legacy Motor Club’s decision to sign him years in advance signals confidence in his trajectory. The team, which fields Toyotas, sees Herbst as a long-term building block alongside existing driver John Hunter Nemechek.
Herbst will return to his hometown track, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, in October for the South Point 400. The race carries extra significance this season, as it comes in the wake of Busch’s death and the naming of the “Kyle Busch Classic” — a race dedicated to the local legend. Herbst will be racing not just for a win, but to honor the man who helped shape him.
“Kyle taught me that winning is the only option,” Herbst said. “I carry that with me every time I strap in.”
Article commentary
Riley Herbst’s career arc offers a fascinating lens through which to view the generational shift happening in NASCAR. At just 25, he is entering a defining phase: no longer a prospect, but a driver tasked with proving he belongs among the sport’s elite. His decision to join Legacy Motor Club in 2027 is both strategic and sentimental — a bet on stability under Jimmie Johnson’s leadership and a tribute to the legacy of Kyle Busch, who shaped Herbst’s early development. The timing is noteworthy. By announcing the move years in advance, Herbst gives himself room to grow without immediate pressure. He can focus on his current season with Stewart-Haas Racing while knowing a long-term home awaits. This kind of forward planning is rare in a sport where contracts often unravel mid-season. It speaks to the confidence Legacy Motor Club has in Herbst’s potential — and to the mutual respect between driver and organization. Equally compelling is the emotional weight of Busch’s passing. Busch was more than a mentor; he was a pillar of the Las Vegas racing community. Herbst’s tribute is not just personal — it reflects a broader sense of loss across the sport. Drivers who came up through the ranks under Busch’s watchful eye, like Noah Gragson and Chandler Smith, now carry that competitive fire forward. Herbst’s acknowledgment that Busch demanded perfection highlights a hard-driving culture that has produced champions for decades. The No. 84 car is a clever branding move, but also a symbol of transition. Johnson’s No. 48 is synonymous with dominance. By inverting it, Herbst signals a new chapter — one that respects the past while forging an independent identity. Whether he can channel that into on-track success remains to be seen. His Xfinity Series résumé includes three wins, but the Cup Series is a different beast. Consistency, pit strategy, and racecraft will determine if he can join the ranks of Johnson, Busch, and other Las Vegas-bred stars. On a broader level, Herbst’s story underscores NASCAR’s ongoing efforts to cultivate homegrown talent in non-traditional markets. Las Vegas has emerged as a surprising hotbed, producing drivers like Busch, Gragson, and now Herbst. The South Point 400 will be a homecoming, but also a moment of reckoning. Herbst will race in front of a crowd that remembers Busch’s triumphs — and that expects nothing less from the next generation. If he can channel that expectation into performance, his future with Legacy Motor Club could be the start of something special. Ultimately, Herbst’s journey is a reminder that motorsport careers are built on mentorship, timing, and a willingness to honor those who came before. The number on the door may be new, but the standard it represents is timeless.