Burton Replaces Herbst at Daytona; Heim to 2027 Seat

Riley Herbst will not race the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona after lingering effects from last weekend’s New Hampshire crash, and Harrison Burton will replace him in the No. 35 Toyota for 23XI Racing. Burton, a former Daytona winner, is stepping in and will start at the rear due to the driver change. Herbst qualified fifth but is stepping out for health reasons, with Corey Heim slated to take over Herbst’s seat in 2027. The swap is framed as precautionary following a violent crash at New Hampshire, in which Herbst was hit after an earlier incident with Michael McDowell and by Connor Zilisch. Burton’s Daytona connection and past success with a different team are highlighted as his credentials for this substitution. Herbst’s upcoming departure from 23XI Racing at the end of the year reinforces broader team changes ahead.