By Michael Heilman

Joe Gibbs Racing announced Tuesday morning that Riley Herbst will drive full time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series next year. He will drive the No. 18 Toyota Supra car.

This year, Herbst has competed as a part-time driver in both the Nascar Xfinity Series and the Nascar Gander Outdoors Truck Series. In the Nascar Xfinity Series, he started eight races this year and has three top-ten finishes and in the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series, he started three races and has one top-five finish and two top-ten finishes.

Riley Herbst released a statement saying “I’m very excited to compete full-time next season in the Xfinity Series in the iconic No. 18,” he continued “I’ve enjoyed the transition to the Xfinity car this season, learned a ton and look forward to continuing to learn next season and improve each and every week. I’m eager to get started and have Monster Energy back with me and can’t wait for Daytona.”

With Herbst now on board, he will join Brandon Jones in the No. 19 car and Harrison Burton in the No. 20 car as full-time drivers in the Nascar Xfinity Series driving for Joe Gibbs Racing next year.