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Stewart Haas Racing driver Riley Herbst has hinted about his 2025 plans, disclosing that he has "a lot of options on the table'. Herbst also confirmed that his decision will ultimately be linked with his primary sponsor Monster Energy.
Tony Stewart and Gene Haas co-owned SHR will shut down after the season, with Haas fielding his factory team in 2025, with plans to run a single Cup team and two Xfinity teams. Herbst and his Xfinity teammate Cole Custer have not yet announced their plans for the upcoming season.
Ahead of his double duty at Nashville Superspeedway, Riley Herbst confirmed that he is looking beyond the Haas Factory team, and has multiple options across all three National series. Herbst indicated plenty of action in the silly season, and his primary sponsor, Monster Energy, will play a role in where he ends up next season.
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"I think there’s a lot of things going on behind the scenes, but it’s not really just Riley Herbst, it’s Monster Energy as well. The biggest thing is trying to see what’s right for me, what’s right for Monster Energy," he said in the press conference (via SpeedwayDigest.com).
Managed by Kevin Harvick under the KHI Management, Riley Herbst hopes to assess his options before making any decision.
"I have really good people around me with Josh Jones and Kevin Harvick trying to guide me in the right position and I’m gonna lean on their experience. I have last year and I’m going to again this year and there’s a lot of options on the table, so we’re looking forward to everything and hearing everybody out," he added.
When asked if he had many options for a Cup Series ride, Herbst clarified that his options ranged across the Cup, Xfinity, and the Truck Series.
"It’s all three series." he replied.
Riley Herbst has one Xfinity victory and is currently in his fifth Xfinity season. He also has six Cup Series starts under his belt with a ninth-place-best finish.
Riley Herbst looking for a "competitive ride" in any NASCAR series
The #98 Stewart Haas Racing driver emphasized his focus on securing a competitive ride for 2025 in any of the three NASCAR series, with the support of Monster Energy.
When asked about his preference between a competitive Xfinity ride and a mediocre Cup Series opportunity, Riley Herbst emphasized the importance of being surrounded by good people. He expressed his desire to join a competitive team next season.
"At least for myself and my sponsor it's important to be in competitive rides. I think that's the easiest way to learn is to surround yourself with good people and put yourself in good equipment. That's first and foremost, so I think that's going to be our priority for us this offseason, where we land, is to be in a ride that's extremely competitive whether it be in any three series," he said in the press-conference.
Herbst also mentioned that he doesn't see his part-time Cup starts as an audition, and he remains focused on learning and improving himself. He is set to drive the #15 Rick Ware Racing Ford at Nashville Superspeedway, on June 30.
