23XI Racing, a force to be reckoned with in the racing world, is set to make a significant move next year. Co-owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin, they will be fielding a third full-time car. This addition comes as an exciting development for the team and the racing community.

Witness the Growth of 23XI Racing with a Third Car

Herbst's Arrival and Sponsorship

Riley Herbst, at just 25 years old, is bringing with him Monster Energy as a primary sponsor. This sponsorship is not new to 23XI Racing as it already backs Tyler Reddick in the Cup Series and Joe Gibbs Racing driver Ty Gibbs. Herbst has an impressive racing history, having spent the past five seasons competing in every NASCAR Xfinity race. His best performance came in 2024 when he achieved two race wins and ended the season seventh in the championship standings. He also capped off the year by securing his third career victory in the title-decider, passing newly crowned Xfinity Series champion Justin Allgaier on the last lap.In the past two years, Herbst has made eight starts in the Cup Series. His debut in the 2023 Daytona 500 saw him finish in the top ten, a result he bettered later that year when he finished ninth at Talladega. Davin Restivo, who has worked with Herbst in the Xfinity Series, will be the crew chief on the No. 35 car.

Previous 23XI Racing Car Ventures

23XI Racing has had experience with running three cars before, but it was on a limited capacity. They initially utilized the No. 67 and later the No. 50 on a part-time basis, featuring notable drivers such as Juan Pablo Montoya, Kamui Kobayashi, and Travis Pastrana. This shows the team's willingness to explore different driver combinations and car numbers.

The Current Charter Situation

23XI's original plan was to purchase a charter from the now defunct Stewart-Haas Racing. However, due to a legal dispute with NASCAR over the 2025 Charter Agreement, they may have to run all three cars as 'open' entries that are not locked in to any race. A judge denied their request for a preliminary injunction to keep their charters while the antitrust lawsuit takes place, but the decision is now facing an appeal. This adds an element of uncertainty to their plans, but the team remains determined to make it work.

Competing with Other Teams

23XI is not alone in its expansion plans. They are the third two-car operation to announce a planned expansion ahead of the 2025 season and the second this week. RFK Racing will be adding the No. 60 car with Ryan Preece, and Trackhouse Racing will be adding the No. 88 with Shane van Gisbergen. This creates a competitive landscape as these teams all vie for success on the track.