Jimmie Johnson’s racing team Legacy Motor Club is poised to expand next year, adding a third charter for the 2027 Cup Series season. With a new seat available, it appears the team’s search for its wheelman is all but wrapped up.
According to The Athletic‘s Jordan Bianchi, Legacy’s year-long search for a third chartered driver is “effectively over” with the team now focused on 23XI Racing’s Riley Herbst to get behind the wheel in 2027.
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Riley Herbst, age 27, became a full-time Cup Series driver last season with 23XI in the No. 35 car. He struggled in his rookie year, failing to record a single top-10 finish while posting one of the worst average starting positions (26.97) and average finishing positions (26.39) among full-time Cup drivers.
He’s performed much better in 2026. Through 12 races, Herbst’s average starting position (20.25) and average finishing position (22.67) have improved significantly. Herbst snagged his first top-10 finish (Daytona 500) since 2023, and he has finished inside the top 20 four times this year.
Herbst also brings other qualities that likely carry significant weight for Legacy. First, he’s proven to be an excellent teammate this season by pushing Tyler Reddick to a win at Daytona and through his work in sim.
Just as important for a relatively new team like Legacy, Herbst also brings funding. The Herbst family owns a massive chain of convenience stores, and the driver has a long-standing relationship with Monster Energy. Pair all of that with the improvements he’s made this year, and it’s easy to see why he is a top candidate to join Legacy Motor Club next season.
Domino Effect of Riley Herbst Joining Legacy
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Legacy’s search all happened because it acquired a third charter in the Cup Series for the 2027 season, creating a domino effect that will impact multiple top teams. Both 23XI and RFK Racing are impacted by the move.
Related: The Chase Contender Might Lose Chartered Status in 2027
The aforementioned charter leased to RFK this season and is being used for Ryan Preece. RFK is also in a tough spot because all three of its drivers—Preece, Chris Buescher, and Brad Keselowski—are in contract years. Even if all three drivers are re-signed, the team currently has no viable path to acquire a third charter.
As RFK deals with the loss of a chartered car, 23XI has its own vacancy. Fortunately for the team co-owned by Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan, top NASCAR prospect Corey Heim is poised to replace Herbst next season. Widely regarded as the top prospect in NASCAR, Heim’s arrival should give 23XI a chance to establish itself as the third-best team in the Cup Series.
Related: When Corey Heim May Race Full-Time for 23XI Racing
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