The sparks flew early on Lap 31 of the BetMGM 300 Xfinity spring race at Charlotte. This time, Stewart-Haas Racing’s 25-year-old prodigy, Riley Herbst, driver of the #98 second-tier entry, likened his emotions to NASCAR’s notorious North Wilkesboro ‘brawler’ from last week, Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

Herbst ‘warned’ the perpetrator, Kaulig Racing’s AJ Allmendinger, of his recent problems after his chances of a debut 2024 win were washed out following misfortunes in Stage 1.

However, between the usual post-race smack-talk warranted by the flaring tensions brought about by NASCAR Xfinity festivities, Herbst issued a strong warning, similar to Stenhouse Jr’s “hold my watch” comments directed toward Kyle Busch and RCR last Sunday.

#HoldMyWatch 2.0? Riley Herbst channels Stenhouse Jr after AJ Allmendinger wreck

As KFB himself qualified behind pole sitter Ty Gibbs for his first Xfinity outing of the season, battles between SHR’s #98 and Kaulig’s #16 heightened the tensions in Stage 1. Coming off turn 2 halfway 15 laps from the stage break, Herbst’s Ford Mustang slid up in front of Allmendinger’s Camaro. This prompted a slight nudge by the #16 on the #98’s left rear, resulting in loss of control and a consequent wreck on the backstretch for Riley Herbst.

After his team loaded up the totaled car onto the hauler, and its driver was released from the infield care center, frustrations of the circumstances inflicted by Allmendinger were evident as Herbst told the media, “I haven’t seen a replay. I passed him twice cleanly. Slid him. Racing in Charlotte its hot, passed him. I think next week’s Portland. His favorite track, We’ll see what happens.”

Next week, the Xfinity Series season moves to the 1.967-mile Portland International Raceway road course in Oregon. Allmendinger won the first-ever event held at the Portland road course when it was introduced for Xfinity in 2022. 

Taking perspectives back to Herbst’s Charlotte outburst, he then explained his perspectives, albeit with an apparent lack of respect.

“I mean, it’s really hot, Charlotte. Everybody sliding around… I moved up to the fence, and he had to run off the top, which is fine. And he could’ve tried to slide me back and get some momentum, but instead, he just got my left rear and hooked me. So unfortunate, but probably unfortunate for him.”

Herbst would end his day on a disappointing DNF. Meanwhile, Allmendinger would place fifth in the first stage after making contact with the wall. But the fans up with another topic of discussion following the fistfights & tensions prevalent in the broader NASCAR background.

Fans react to Xfinity Series’ Charlotte Sparks

“Please be waiting outside his hauler,” exclaimed one fan, throwing a jab at Ricky Stenhouse Jr’s infamous 198-lap waiting delay in North Wilkesboro before delivering a viral right to Kyle Busch.

Another spoke against notorious road course ringer, Allmendinger’s alleged aggressive advances in Charlotte, stating, “AJ drove straight through him. Didn’t even try to make a clean pass… I like AJ, but he’s been a loose cannon today. Even wrecked himself right after he wrecked Riley… Can’t blame Riley if he retaliates.”

This fan laid out a comedic proposition, about the egregious 75,000-dollar fine currently faced by Stenhouse Jr after his North Wilkesboro dust-up with Busch: “Start a GoFundMe for 75K and let it rip!”

However, considering the Dinger’s notorious road course ringer status and an upcoming road race, a well-informed fan also opined, “He may not want to play with fire! AJ way more experienced than him.”

Regardless, another had some contrary opinions to Herbst’s complaints as they declared with an alternative lens, “I can’t stand this smack talking from drivers. You pulled up in front of him. Too fast to lift. Shut up and park it.”

As the Xfinity season rolls off for the tightest celebrations of 2024, the developments between AJ Allmendinger and Riley Herbst will certainly be a notable anecdote amidst the brewing tensions of 2024.