Riley Herbst, a NASCAR Cup Series driver, has been given the green light to compete in the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway after a full recovery from a concussion that sidelined him from the Daytona race.
The concussion was diagnosed after a crash at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, and although he passed the required medical examinations before the Daytona 500, he awoke on race day with severe symptoms that prevented him from taking the grid.
His team, 23XI Racing, together with NASCAR and Atrium Health, decided to withdraw him from the Daytona event, and Harrison Burton was inserted into the No. 35 Toyota to finish the race.
Medical Clearance and Team Support
Since the incident, Herbst has reported no lingering symptoms and has been medically cleared to race again, making the Southern 500 his first Cup Series start since the withdrawal.
The unpredictable nature of concussion symptoms, which can fluctuate from day to day, highlighted the necessity of rest and a cautious approach during his recovery.
Looking ahead, Herbst is preparing to transition to Legacy Motor Club for the 2027 season, marking a new chapter in his racing career after this health episode.