Riley Herbst didn’t hold back after his late-race incident with Connor Zilisch at NASCAR’s Darlington Raceway.
“Tell him to go f*** himself.”
That was Herbst’s immediate response after being told that Zilisch had already taken responsibility for the contact and issued an apology over the team radio.
Connor Zilisch Takes Responsibility After Darlington Contact
The incident unfolded during the final stage of Sunday’s race at Darlington, one of the most unforgiving tracks on the NASCAR schedule.
Zilisch made contact with Herbst exiting Turn 4, sending the No. 35 Toyota spinning into the inside wall and bringing out a caution.
Moments after the incident, Zilisch owned the mistake over the radio.
“That’s my fault. Sorry. Tell the 35 I said sorry … I just misjudged. He just got a little loose and I was already committed.”
It was a clear and immediate apology from the rookie driver, who has quickly established himself as one of the sport’s rising prospects.
Herbst, however, had no interest in hearing it.
Riley Herbst Rejects Apology in Blunt Response
When Herbst’s team relayed the message, his answer was short and unmistakable.
“Tell him to go f*** himself.”
The reaction captured the frustration that often comes in the closing laps at Darlington, where tire falloff, tight racing lines, and limited space leave little room for error.
For Herbst, the contact ended any chance of salvaging a stronger result.
He went on to finish 35th after the spin, while Zilisch was able to continue and secure an 18th-place finish despite the incident.
The result had an immediate impact on the race for track position, with Herbst losing multiple laps during repairs while the field reset under caution. For a team trying to build consistency early in the season, finishes like this carry added weight in both points and momentum.
A Tale of Two Days for Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing
The moment stood in sharp contrast to what was happening on the other side of 23XI Racing.
While Herbst was dealing with the fallout from the incident, teammate Tyler Reddick delivered one of the most dominant performances of the season.
Reddick went on to win at Darlington, securing his fourth victory in the first six races of the 2026 Cup Series season. In doing so, he joined Dale Earnhardt and Bill Elliott as the only drivers in NASCAR history to reach that mark.
The split outcome underscored just how unpredictable a race at Darlington can be. One driver leaves in Victory Lane. Another leaves with damage and frustration after a late-race incident.
Darlington Delivers Another Flashpoint Moment
Darlington Raceway has long been known for moments like this.
The track’s narrow groove and abrasive surface routinely punish even small mistakes, especially late in a run when tires begin to fall off and drivers are pushing for position.
Sunday’s incident between Herbst and Zilisch added another example. A quick misjudgment, immediate consequences, and a reaction that said everything about how little time there is for patience once the race is on the line.
Apologies can come quickly in NASCAR. Acceptance usually takes longer.
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