Herbst Ready to Pull Double Duty in ARCA, Xfinity at Michigan

By Seth Eggert, NASCAR Correspondent

For the first time in his NASCAR career, Riley Herbst will pull double duty at Michigan International Speedway.

Herbst will drive the No. 18 Monster Energy Toyota Supra in the NASCAR Xfinity Series LTi Printing 250 and the No. 18 Monster Energy Toyota Camry in the ARCA Menards Series VizCom 200 for Joe Gibbs Racing.

The 20-year-old has two ARCA starts at the 2.0-mile track. He finished runner-up after leading seven laps in last year’s ARCA race at Michigan.

“I can’t wait to get on track at Michigan this weekend,” Herbst explained. “It’s fast, it’s big, it’s wide. It’s kind of like Auto Club, but in Michigan. I’ve raced in the ARCA Series twice at Michigan before and I finished second once, so I feel like I have a feel of how the track drives.

“I’m going to be pulling double duty – two different cars, two different teams. I think it will be fun so I’m excited, but it’s going to be difficult. There’s going to be a lot going on.”

This season Herbst is splitting time in the JGR ARCA car with Ty Gibbs, as well as sporadic starts with the JGR Xfinity program and in Kyle Busch Motorsports’ Toyota Tundras.

The Las Vegas, NV native has two previous starts in the No. 18 Toyota Supra earlier this season. He won the pole and finished ninth at Richmond Raceway. Herbst finished ninth at Kansas Speedway in his only start with KBM so far this season.

“There’s probably going to be a few laps of adjustment because the Xfinity Supra’s drive a lot faster than the ARCA cars,” Herbst admitted. “Hopefully, I’ll get a good feel of the differences between the cars in practice. I know the 18 car is fast – that team has done well all year, so I’m excited to hop back in the car and hopefully get a win for this team.”

Herbst made his Xfinity Series debut at Iowa Speedway last year. He started ninth and finished sixth.

In 43 starts in ARCA Menards Series competition, Herbst has one victory at Pocono Raceway, 16 top-five, and 28 top-10 finishes. He also has just one pole position in the series.