Tyler Reddick, the talented driver for 23XI Racing, has made a significant turnaround as he heads into the NASCAR Cup Series Chase. After an impressive start to the 2026 season, where he won three of the first nine races, Reddick faced a series of unexpected challenges that threatened his standing in the competition.
In a candid assessment, Reddick explained the reasons behind his team's struggles. "Oh yeah, we figured it out," he stated. "It was called running over things that should never be on a racetrack, to having parts that never fail, fail, to cutting tires with light contact with the wall, to getting caught up in a wreck that started three rows behind you on a restart. I can keep going, but that kind of gives you an idea of what it was. Just crazy, crazy stuff." His remarks highlight the unpredictable nature of racing, where even minor incidents can lead to significant setbacks.
Despite the difficulties, Reddick managed to regain his footing towards the end of the regular season. After a rough patch that included back-to-back 36th place finishes and a 35th, he turned things around by finishing in the top-11 in five of his last six races. His strong performance culminated in a third-place finish at Daytona on August 29, solidifying his position as a contender as the Chase approaches.
Reddick's struggles coincided with a surge from his 23XI Racing co-owner, Denny Hamlin, who capitalized on Reddick's misfortunes. At one point, Reddick held a commanding 129-point lead over Hamlin, but a power steering failure at Sonoma on June 28 saw him finish 36th, allowing Hamlin to leapfrog him in the standings by a single point. Hamlin's consistency helped him secure the regular-season points championship and the top seed for the upcoming Chase, which begins on September 6 at Darlington.
Reflecting on the competitive dynamics within the team, Reddick acknowledged the challenges of maintaining a points lead while competing against a teammate performing at such a high level. "In a sense of trying to maintain the points lead, it’s not ideal when your boss is on an all-time heater running first, second or third every week," he noted, recognizing the impact of Hamlin's success on his own performance.
When asked if Hamlin's success had any influence on his slump, Reddick laughed and dismissed the notion. "Oh my gosh, yeah, that would be something," he said. "Hey, he pays for a lot of the stuff around here, so. ... But I don’t see it. I know Denny, and he wants to win fair and square. No chance of that." This light-hearted exchange underscores the camaraderie and competitive spirit within the team.
Reddick also expressed gratitude for the support he received from both Hamlin and Michael Jordan during his struggles. "Denny is one of the first to come to you and say, ‘What do we need to do? What do we need to look at?’" he said, emphasizing the collaborative environment at 23XI Racing. Jordan, while not as experienced in NASCAR, also played a crucial role in maintaining team morale during tough times.
As the NASCAR Cup Series Chase approaches, Reddick is optimistic about his prospects. He noted Toyota's dominance over other manufacturers throughout the season, with Toyotas winning 13 points races compared to six each for Chevrolet and Ford. Reddick is confident that the tracks featured in the Chase will favor his team's strengths, stating, "There’s a lot of tracks in the Chase where, whether it’s us in the 45 or 23XI or Toyotas in general, have been very strong." With renewed momentum, Reddick is poised to make a significant impact in the upcoming Chase.
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