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Michael Jordan‘s 23XI Racing team is currently embroiled in an ugly antitrust lawsuit with NASCAR that could put the team’s future in doubt. But a recent determination from NASCAR paired with a cryptic social media announcement from the team on Tuesday has fans feeling encouraged about what’s to come.
NASCAR removed a provision that would have barred both 23XI and co-plaintiff Front Row Motorsports from competing as non-chartered teams in 2025. But that didn’t answer the question about what each team would do about the charters they allegedly purchased from the now-defunct Stewart Haas Racing team.
Front Row Motorsports has been tied to rookie driver Zane Smith, who ran for Spire Motorsports in 2024. While 23XI was linked to a yet-to-be-named third driver. Now it appears we may have an answer sooner rather than later.
🕙⁰⁰11/20/2024 pic.twitter.com/QabNlcRxva
— 23XI Racing (@23XIRacing) November 19, 2024
23XI Racing posted a video on its Twitter page on Tuesday with a caption of a clock and the date 11/20/2024. The video showed a disguised figure walking toward the camera with a helmet in his hand. Fans believe the caption means that 23XI will announce its incoming third driver on Wednesday.
The question then becomes “Who is the new driver?”
Two names have emerged at the forefront of talks. Truck series star Corey Heim appeared in one race for 23XI during the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season, finishing 29th. Heim won six races in the Trucks series in 2024 and finished second in the championship.
But the more common name linked to 23XI is that of Xfinity series driver Riley Herbst. Hersbt, 25, has eight career starts in the Cup Series and a best finish of 9th. He hasn’t had the same level of success as Heim at the lower levels. But Herbst brings something that Heim may not – sponsorship.
Herbst’s family owns the Terrible’s chain of gas stations, which has 179 locations across Nevada, California, Utah and Arizona. Herbst has had sponsorship from Monster Energy for much of his racing career. Monster Energy also sponsors 23XI driver Tyler Reddick.
An official announcement should come on Wednesday. But it appears that even despite the lawsuit, 23XI is continuing to grow.