NASCAR Rumors: Denny Hamlin-led 23XI tips Riley Herbst selection over Corey Heim for a third Cup car

Amidst the prevalent rumor that 23XI Racing could obtain a Stewart-Haas Racing charter ahead of 2024, another is swirling around the alleys of NASCAR. Denny Hamlin's team could sign Xfinity Series driver Riley Herbst for a third entry in its Cup Series program.

There are speculations about why 23XI would prefer Herbst to Corey Heim, who's expected to wheel a part-time entry, i.e., the number 50 Toyota Camry at Nashville on June 30. Not long ago, a NASCAR insider spilled the beans on the same.

SiriusXM journalist and writer Lee Spencer revealed in an episode of 'NASCAR silly season update' that Herbst could drive the third car for the team owned by Denny Hamlin and NBA legend Michael Jordan if they purchase a third charter.

"One name that has been mentioned as for someone to go over there (23XI Racing) is Riley Herbst," Spencer said (1:14).

Spencer also noted that Herbst has Monster Energy as his primary sponsor in the Xfinity Series.

The beverage company sponsors Joe Gibbs Racing's Ty Gibbs in the NASCAR Cup Series as well. Notably, 23XI Racing has a technical alliance with JGR, which started in 2021. According to Spencer, all that could lead to a win-win situation for both teams.

"Riley Herbst has the Monster sponsorship. You would have all that in-house," Spencer added. "A nice little package between Joe Gibbs Racing and 23XI... Monster (Energy) would all be there. So, that's kind of the little bits and pieces."

23XI Racing is in its third year in the NASCAR Cup Series and also its second as a two-car team. The Toyota team fields Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick as the drivers of the #23 and the #45, respectively.

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Denny Hamlin on why he hesitates to drive for his NASCAR team

Denny Hamlin has often been asked if he would consider driving for 23XI Racing. In an interview with former Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick, the three-time Daytona 500 winner explained why he hesitates to keep that door open for the future.

"There's a few hesitations I have," Hamlin explained. "One is that I want to end my career with Joe Gibbs Racing because I want to be loyal to the person that gave me my start."

However, Denny Hamlin didn't entirely rule out the possibility of driving a 23XI Racing car.

"There is a part of me that wants to drive for 23XI, absolutely. I think, without doubt, I'll say that I'll certainly be racing at 23XI in at least a race at some point in my career," he added.

Nevertheless, Hamlin told FOX that he will end his career as a Joe Gibbs Racing driver.

Denny Hamlin stands third in the NASCAR Cup Series point standings, with 535 points. With 10 races to go till the postseason, he has three wins, seven top-5s, and eight top-10s. His next race is at the IOWA Speedway, Newton, on June 16.