Toyota’s dominance throughout the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season has generated plenty of discussion among fans. Some have praised the manufacturer’s pace, while others have gone a step further, suggesting NASCAR is somehow helping its success.
But when one fan recently floated that conspiracy theory online, 23XI Racing driver Riley Herbst had a humorous response ready.
The exchange came under a social media post from NASCAR promoting its online NASCARShop ahead of this weekend’s trip to Pocono Raceway.
One fan commented, “Which Toyota driver does NASCAR want to win this weekend? There’s no need to even watch the race when all you have to do is see which Toyota won to know how the race went,” implying that the outcome was already decided.
Rather than ignoring the accusation, Herbst joined the conversation himself, replying, “Plz me, @NASCAR.”
The lighthearted response quickly caught the attention of fans, earning thousands of views on social media.
While many appreciated the joke, the broader conversation surrounding Toyota’s success remained unchanged, with several users continuing to argue that NASCAR has favored the manufacturer throughout the season.
Those theories have only gained traction because of Toyota’s overwhelming results on the racetrack this season. Although Carson Hocevar, Chase Elliott, and Shane van Gisbergen snapped the streak starting at Talladega, 2026 has largely belonged to the Japanese manufacturer.
The latest statement win came from Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Denny Hamlin, who followed up his Nashville victory with another at Michigan International Speedway, climbing to second in the championship standings.
Through 15 races, including the All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway, Toyota drivers have claimed 10 victories.
In fact, Hamlin and fellow 23XI Racing driver Tyler Reddick have combined for eight of those wins, while Ty Gibbs added a breakthrough victory at Bristol. Outside of Hendrick Motorsports’ Chase Elliott, no non-Toyota driver has managed to win multiple races this season.
Toyota’s strength is also reflected in the manufacturer standings, where it sits comfortably atop the leaderboard with 692 points, ahead of Chevrolet’s 616.
Whether fans choose to credit speed, preparation, or something more conspiratorial, Herbst’s recent response showed that even the drivers are well aware of the online chatter.
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