Riley Herbst, a NASCAR driver, suffered a concussion after a crash at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, a setback that ultimately led him to withdraw from the upcoming Daytona race.
Although he passed the mandatory medical examinations before the event, lingering symptoms — persistent headaches, fatigue and difficulty performing routine tasks — resurfaced in the days between New Hampshire and Daytona, rendering him unfit to compete.
A Safety Decision Backed by Medical and Racing Authorities
NASCAR, in partnership with Atrium Health and Herbst himself, determined that his safety and that of fellow competitors outweighed the desire to keep him on the grid, resulting in his car being handed to Harrison Burton.
The episode underscores the unpredictable nature of concussions, which can sideline athletes even when they appear fully recovered, and reopens the conversation about concussion protocols in high‑speed motorsports.