Riley Herbst Smashes Outside Wall After Clash with Michael McDowell

Riley Herbst found himself in the spotlight at North Wilkesboro Speedway on May 18, 2025, after a hard collision with the outside wall in Turn 3. The incident happened when Michael McDowell made side contact with Herbst’s No. 35 Toyota, sending the 23XI Racing car out of line and straight into the barrier.

Fans witnessed this dramatic moment as part of the NASCAR All-Star Open event, where quick moves and close racing were on display throughout the field. The race at North Wilkesboro continued to be action-packed, with the Herbst and McDowell incident setting the tone early.

Herbst, who has shown steady progress with 23XI Racing, was looking for a strong finish in this special event. Instead, contact from McDowell left his car with damage, forcing an unscheduled pit stop and altering his race strategy. For more on NASCAR race strategies, check out this NASCAR Racing Insights analysis.

McDowell, who has a history of aggressive moves, was able to continue, but the incident affected both drivers’ nights. As the cars regrouped, the field prepared for more restarts and tense racing.

Multiple drivers, including Shane van Gisbergen and Chase Briscoe, found themselves in wild three-wide battles, with one of those ending in a spin for Briscoe soon after the incident involving Herbst. Attrition and contact were themes all day, putting extra pressure on drivers and crew chiefs to make quick decisions under caution as positions changed rapidly.

Momentum shifted several times following incidents like the one involving Herbst and McDowell. All-Star Open races often come down to moments of contact and quick recovery, and this year proved no different. Learn more about the history of the NASCAR All-Star Race and its unique format.

Each segment of the event brought its share of challenges, with leading drivers battling for track position and hoping to secure a win before the final laps. Herbst’s incident was one of several cautions that shaped the race’s outcome.

Other notable moments included restarts with van Gisbergen at the front, strategy calls by Brad Keselowski, and the field shuffling as yellow flags waved. Drivers responded with bold moves to gain every possible position, understanding that every lap could change the direction of their night.

North Wilkesboro’s return to big NASCAR weekends means every crash, caution, and close call feels magnified. Highlights from Sunday included aggressive racing and strategies that played out in split seconds, giving fans plenty of drama and reason to watch every lap closely. For a deeper look at the track’s history, visit North Wilkesboro Speedway’s official site.

As the checkered flag approached, some drivers capitalized on late breaks, while others, like Riley Herbst, had their races impacted by incidents beyond their control. The next event on the NASCAR schedule brings drivers to Charlotte Motor Speedway for the BetMGM 300 on May 24.

Teams will regroup and prepare their cars for another round of high-stakes racing. Meanwhile, the events at North Wilkesboro, including Herbst’s fight after contact with McDowell, remain a key storyline as the series pushes deeper into the 2025 season. For the latest updates on NASCAR events, check the official NASCAR schedule.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.