It was the final lap of the Xfinity race in Vegas. As 43 racers competed for the checkered flag, one skilled driver sped past the finish line. One of the greatest drivers in NASCAR’s history, 52-year-old Mark Martin etched the last race win of his prolific career at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. On that same ground, 12 years later, Riley Herbst scored his first.

After failing to qualify in the playoffs this season, a dejected Herbst was searching for his moment of redemption. He finally found it at the Alsco Uniforms 302 race this weekend.

NASCAR veteran Mark Martin passes the baton from one Xfinity winner to another

You never forget your first. Hall of Famer Mark Martin would still be able to recall every detail of his first Cup Series win in 1989. Defeating eventual champion Rusty Wallace, the veteran racer led 101 laps in North Carolina to take Roush Racing to victory lane along with him. Similarly, Stewart-Haas Racing‘s #98 driver Riley Herbst will never forget the way he completely dominated the Xfinity playoff race and then led 103 laps to wave the first checkered flag of his career.

Starting 8th on the 1.5-mile track, the 24-year-old racer was not considered a front runner prior to the race. Defending Vegas winner Josh Berry had conquered the pole. Between Cole Custer to Justin Allgaier, 4 playoff contenders were lined ahead of Herbst. But in a triumphant display of his winning potential, the non-player driver surged past all the championship contenders to announce his presence in the victorious camp.

Carrying the Xfinity crown of his time, Mark Martin was floored by the upcoming racer’s indomitable will. Martin held the record for most Xfinity wins (49) until Kyle Busch exceeded it with his 102 victories. While welcoming the young driver into NASCAR’s winning circle, the legend shared a personal note for Riley Herbst on his social media page. Martin wrote, “I’m really happy to see @rileyherbst put a whipping on the @NASCAR_Xfinity field today.”

This message would be a matter of great honor for the racer who was lost for words after his victorious lap.

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Stewart-Haas Racing’s Riley Herbst reserved first race victory for home ground Vegas

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Despite 5 Top 5 and 11 Top 10 finishes, Riley Herbst could not secure a playoff spot in the cut-off race in Kansas. But with unyielding determination, the #98 driver marked another Top 5 and a Top 10 performance in the first playoff round. But that was still not enough for the Vegas-born driver.

He chose his home ground to unleash the full range of his expertise to showcase his unexplored caliber to the racing community. The magnitude of this outcome was visible in his relieved demeanor as Herbst struggled to contain his overflowing emotions in the post-race interview.

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