Herbst’s Charlotte Roval Run Ends in Disqualification Over Weight Infraction

Denny Hamlin has enough on his plate defending his 23XI Racing team off the track, but for Cup Series rookie Riley Herbst, the weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway was a special kind of disappointment. After the dust settled and the cars rolled through post-race inspection, NASCAR dropped the hammer: Herbst was disqualified from the Bank of America ROVAL 400. The reason? Failing to meet minimum post-race weight requirements. It’s a gut punch for any driver, but for a rookie, it’s salt in a wound that’s been festering all season.

Herbst’s Charlotte Disqualification

Herbst wheeled his No. 35 machine across the finish line in 30th place after 109 grueling laps around the 2.28-mile road course. It wasn’t a glorious finish, but it was a finish nonetheless. Or so he thought. With the disqualification, NASCAR officially dropped the Las Vegas native down to a dead-last 37th place.

The penalty wasn’t just a number on a results sheet. It cost Herbst a precious 6 Cup Series championship points. While it didn’t change the playoff picture, four drivers were already knocked out when the checkered flag waved. It was another dark cloud over a team already battling a storm.

A handful of drivers, including Erik Jones, Austin Dillon, and Kyle Busch, each bumped up a single spot. The only playoff driver to benefit was Austin Cindric, but the minor gain did nothing to change his fate. His championship hopes were already extinguished, making the shuffle just a footnote in a day of high drama.

From Bad to Worse for Herbst

To say Riley Herbst had a challenging weekend would be an understatement. It all started during Saturday’s practice session. Coming into Turn 5, the No. 35 car snapped loose, sending Herbst spinning hard into the tire barriers. The impact was violent enough to nearly send the car airborne before spitting it back onto the racing surface. It was a heart-in-your-throat moment that could have ended his weekend right there.

But in a show of pure grit and determination from the 23XI crew, the car was patched up and sent back out for more practice laps. They even managed to get it ready for a qualifying attempt, where Herbst managed to secure a 33rd-place starting position. It was a testament to the never-say-die attitude that defines this sport.

Unfortunately, that comeback story didn’t have a happy ending. This rookie season has been a tough grind for Herbst. In 32 starts, he’s still searching for his first top-10 finish. With an average result of 26.3 and a best of 14th place back at Texas in the spring, the learning curve has been brutally steep. This disqualification is just the latest trial in a season marked by numerous others.

23XI Racing Under Fire

This latest setback for Herbst couldn’t come at a worse time for 23XI Racing. The team, co-owned by Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan, is already embroiled in a nasty legal fight with NASCAR. With court filings accusing the team of acting on a “bruised ego” and “greed,” every move they make is under scrutiny.

A post-race disqualification, no matter how minor in the grand scheme, adds another layer of scrutiny and pressure. All eyes are on Hamlin’s team, and right now, the spotlight feels less like a beacon and more like an interrogation lamp.

Final Thoughts 

For Riley Herbst, it’s back to the drawing board. It’s about shaking off the disappointment, learning from the mistakes, and finding a way to turn this brutal rookie campaign around. In NASCAR, your character is forged in the fire of adversity. This weekend, the flames were burning hot for Herbst. How he emerges will define not just the rest of his season, but perhaps his entire career.