Riley Herbst: ‘We whooped them’ in first NASCAR Xfinity win
LAS VEGAS – Add Riley Herbst to the NASCAR Xfinity Series wins list, at home no less.
Leading 103 of the 201 laps Saturday, Herbst dominated the Alsco Uniforms 302 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Herbst became the fifth different first-time winner this season. Others include Sammy Smith (Phoenix in March), Chandler Smith (Richmond in April), Ryan Truex (Dover in April), and Sam Mayer (Road America in July).
“I knew it was pretty good, I didn’t think it was 15-seconds-to-win-by good. “(We) executed today,” Herbst told The Racing Experts.
Herbst earned the win in his 139th start. He had some struggles and even bowed out at Joe Gibbs Racing but persevered to finally win.
“Everyone said I couldn’t do it, wouldn’t do it, but everyone brought their best stuff to make it to Phoenix, and we whopped them. I’m just so relieved,” he added.
Prior to Saturday, Herbst’s best finish in the series was second on three occasions.
The win comes days after Riley Herbst re-signed with Stewart-Haas Racing for the 2024 season.
THROUGH THE FIELD
No playoff driver locked into the Championship 4 race at Phoenix this weekend.
Nearly half a lap away in second place, John Hunter Nemechek was the highest-finishing playoff driver.
Playoff drivers made up positions 2-7 with Nemechek, Cole Custer, Chandler Smith, Sam Mayer, Justin Allgaier and Austin Hill.
The other playoff drivers finished in the following positions: 15th – Sheldon Creed (15th), 17th – Sammy Smith.
With two races before the Championship 4 race at Phoenix, the series next heads to Homestead-Miami Speedway (Oct. 21) and Martinsville Speedway (Oct. 28).
PLAYOFF CUTLINE
1) John Hunter Nemechek (3,103 points)
2) Justin Allgaier (+21)
3) Austin Hill (+19)
4) Cole Custer (+15)
5) Chandler Smith (-15)
6) Sam Mayer (-16)
7) Sammy Smith (-35)
8) Sheldon Creed (-41)
