Denny Hamlin’s 23XI Racing faced another setback when rookie Riley Herbst was disqualified following the Bank of America ROVAL 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. NASCAR officials confirmed the disqualification after post-race inspections revealed Herbst’s car failed weight requirements, dropping his official finish during this critical Cup Series event.
Impact on Race Results and Championship Standings
Although Herbst initially finished 30th in the 109-lap race on the 2.28-mile road course, his disqualification moved him down to 37th place. This penalty cost the Las Vegas native six Cup Series championship points. Despite this, the disqualification did not change the playoff field, as the Round of 8 spots had already been decided at the checkered flag.
Only a handful of drivers, including Erik Jones, Austin Dillon, Josh Bilicki, Cody Ware, Kyle Busch, Brad Keselowski, and Austin Cindric, advanced one position because of Herbst’s penalty. Among them, Austin Cindric was the only playoff contender affected, but this slight improvement was insufficient to alter his must-win situation or advance him to the next round, effectively ending his postseason hopes.
Challenges Leading up to the Disqualification
Herbst’s weekend was marked by difficulty even before the disqualification. On Saturday practice, the 26-year-old lost control entering Turn 5 and crashed into the tire barriers, nearly rolling his car before it spun back onto the track. Despite the crash, Herbst returned to complete further practice laps and managed to qualify 33rd for the race.
This season has been tough for Herbst, who has not secured any top-10 finishes in his 32 starts with 23XI Racing. His average finish stands at 26.3, with his best result a 14th-place at Texas earlier in the spring.
Ongoing Pressure on 23XI Racing Amid Legal Disputes
The disqualification adds to the mounting pressure on 23XI Racing, which is already embroiled in a contentious lawsuit with NASCAR. The legal battle has seen summary judgments criticized for highlighting Hamlin’s team’s “bruised ego” and “greed,” intensifying the scrutiny on the organization’s off-track struggles.
“NEWS: The No. 88 car clears post-race inspection at @CLTMotorSpdwy. The win is official for @shanevg97! The No. 35 car has been disqualified for failing post-race weights. There are no changes to the Round of 8 drivers.” — NASCAR
With the spotlight glaring on Denny Hamlin’s team, the latest disqualification involving rookie Herbst magnifies the challenges facing 23XI Racing as the Cup Series season proceeds.
NEWS: The No. 88 car clears post-race inspection at @CLTMotorSpdwy. The win is official for @shanevg97!
The No. 35 car has been disqualified for failing post-race weights. There are no changes to the Round of 8 drivers. pic.twitter.com/CO24WBMXIP
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) October 6, 2025
