Concussion Symptoms Force Riley Herbst Out of Daytona, Driver Confirms

Riley Herbst has confirmed that a concussion, stemming from an incident the previous week at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, was the reason for his withdrawal from the NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway. The 23XI Racing driver experienced delayed symptoms that ultimately prevented him from competing, despite initially clearing pre-race medical protocols.

The chain of events leading to Herbst’s absence began during the prior race at New Hampshire. Contact from Michael McDowell initiated a spin for Herbst, sending him into the wall. In a subsequent impact, Connor Zilisch was unable to avoid colliding with the No. 35 Toyota Camry. While Herbst initially reported feeling no immediate ill effects and successfully passed his concussion protocols mid-week, his condition deteriorated on race day.

"I got diagnosed with a concussion after the wreck in Loudon, and I thought that I was cleared to, to pass," Herbst stated, detailing the perplexing nature of his recovery. "I passed all my tests the week leading up to Daytona. Obviously, I qualified in the race car, and had really fast speed, and then I woke up Saturday morning, feeling really, really rough with trouble with all the symptoms, the worst I’ve had since the wreck."

The decision to withdraw was made with the safety of himself and other competitors in mind. "So, I thought it was the best idea for me to step out and let Harrison (Burton) drive the race car, but back to being 100 percent," Herbst added, emphasizing his commitment to a full recovery before returning to the cockpit. Harrison Burton, a regular competitor in the Cup Series, was subsequently named to pilot the No. 35 entry for the Daytona event.

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The unpredictable nature of concussions in motorsports has been a recurring theme, underscoring the importance of rigorous medical evaluations and drivers’ personal responsibility in reporting symptoms. Concussions are complex neurological injuries that can manifest with delayed onset and fluctuating severity, making diagnosis and clearance challenging. Unlike a physically observable injury like a broken bone, concussion symptoms are subjective and can vary significantly from one individual to another, and even from day to day for the same individual.

Herbst’s experience highlights this variability. He noted, "They come and go. Concussions are a super weird health issue, health problem that honestly, it’s an evolving matter. It’s not like you can x-ray your arm and see a broken bone or see it not broken. It’s all about how you feel in one day, you can feel 100 percent, and then I can wake up Saturday morning, like I did last week, and struggle to get out of bed."

This unpredictable characteristic of his condition meant that even after a seemingly successful qualification run, the onset of severe symptoms on race day necessitated his withdrawal. NASCAR, in conjunction with its official health partner Atrium Health, has implemented comprehensive concussion protocols designed to protect drivers. These protocols involve a series of neurological and cognitive tests administered both immediately after an incident and in the days following. Drivers must meet specific benchmarks in these evaluations before being medically cleared to race.

"So, yeah, it was a rough process, but obviously I think myself, NASCAR, Atrium Health, we all did the right thing last week and taken me out of the race car for the betterment of myself and obviously the field of race car drivers, but you just kind of have to rest, rest, rest, and hopefully you can beat the symptoms sooner than you want," Herbst reflected on the situation.

The 2024 season has seen a number of drivers contend with concussion-related issues, bringing renewed focus to driver safety and the management of head injuries in the sport. The emphasis on driver well-being has led to more conservative medical clearance procedures, prioritizing long-term health over immediate competitive participation.

In parallel with his health recovery, Herbst has also been navigating significant career news. On Thursday, he announced his impending move to Legacy Motor Club for the 2027 NASCAR Cup Series season, where he is slated to drive the No. 84 Chevrolet. This announcement comes amidst a period of intense preparation and adaptation for the young driver.

As part of his rehabilitation and preparation for a potential return to racing, Herbst has been actively engaged in activities designed to assess his readiness and reacclimate him to the demands of a race car. This has included time spent in a simulator at the Toyota Racing Development (TRD) facility, where he has completed multiple sessions. Additionally, he participated in street car ride-alongs at Ten Tenths Motor Club on Thursday.

"We were at the sim, so I’ve been into sim every single day this week," Herbst confirmed. "No symptoms, I’ve worked out every single day this week, no symptoms, and yeah, I did those little ride-alongs on Thursday with no symptoms, so obviously nobody knows until you hop in the race car, but I’ve been cleared of all activities and looking forward to completing another Southern 500."

Despite the positive progress in these controlled environments, Herbst remains cautiously optimistic about his participation in the upcoming Southern 500, the next event on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule. The inherent unpredictability of his concussion symptoms means that a definitive clearance for Sunday’s race will likely be a last-minute determination based on his condition on the day.

The Southern 500, held at Darlington Raceway, is one of NASCAR’s crown jewel events and a demanding race that tests the endurance and skill of drivers and teams. For Herbst, a strong performance at Darlington would be a significant milestone in his season. However, his immediate focus remains on a complete recovery, ensuring he can return to competition at his peak physical and mental capacity. The driver’s proactive approach to his health, coupled with the support of his team and NASCAR’s medical staff, suggests a commitment to a safe and effective return to the track.