Tyler Reddick of 23XI Racing is approaching the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs with a renewed outlook following a demanding regular season, aiming to apply his Tyler Reddick NASCAR Playoff mindset as he seeks a turnaround starting at Darlington Raceway. As the Playoff Media Day unfolded on Wednesday, Reddick shared insights about his preparation, the team‘s struggles, and the critical adjustments needed for a deeper championship run.
Reflecting on Last Year and Adjusting the Approach
Reddick acknowledged that experience is at the core of his current mindset. Entering this season with few Playoff points, unlike last year when he had a buffer, is forcing him to be sharper and reduce errors from the outset, particularly given the unpredictable nature of each round.
“I think it’s just experience. Yeah, for me, I was on the good side of it last year. I’ve done this a few times. Coming in with very little Playoff points so it’s just all experience. Last year was a little nicer one, right? Because we were able to have those Playoff points to fall back on. It seemed like even though we had them in each round, we found our way into trouble. So, I think this time around we’ve got to be much more on top of it. We don’t have that much room for error but that’s okay. There are some good tracks. Obviously, Darlington is a great one to start at. There’s a lot of good tracks in the Playoffs for this team I think.”
—Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing driver
Evaluating Team Performance and the Need for a Reset
Throughout the season, Reddick and 23XI Racing have reviewed their performance data, but the insights only highlighted their frustration, underscoring the necessity of a fresh start for the Playoffs.
“Yeah, we did that. Got to look at a lot of numbers and a lot of things. I don’t know if it helped. I think it added to the frustration. Even more reason for a reset going into the Playoffs, if you will.”
—Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing driver
Despite promising speed shown by their Toyota Camrys, execution lapses and underwhelming race finishes compared to raw pace have been persistent issues.
“Well, I mean honestly, it has the feeling from my vantage point that the speed just wasn’t quite the same. Obviously, the execution we all know is not great. Looking at everything that we have, the speed seems pretty good. Yeah, just when you look at pace and everything that we have versus our finishing position, not many in the field are worse. We’ve just really got to take advantage of fast Toyota Camrys and get top fives and win races especially here in each of these rounds.”
—Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing driver
Shifting Strategies for Playoff Success
After 26 races that have featured both missed chances and disappointment, Reddick believes the solution is a genuine reset—acknowledging hard lessons and focusing on executing their best potential without repeating past mistakes.
“Pretty much don’t do what we did the first 26 races (laughter). We’ve been in a position to win and lose, we just – don’t take ourselves out. Yeah, there’s plenty of things on a more serious note to go over and look at how we’ve been doing things. Everyone on the team has been looking into that, working hard, reflecting. And, yeah, the word reset has been thrown around a lot today. I feel like that’s a good way for us to look at it as well. Yeah, we’ve had a tough regular season. Yes, we’re behind the cut line and everything else but the points margins are all closed up quite a bit with the Playoff seeding. We’ve just got to go out there and do what we’ve been capable of all year – just do it this time.”
—Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing driver
Confidence at Darlington and Key Playoff Venues
One thing bolstering Reddick’s playoff optimism is starting at Darlington, a track that consistently suits his driving style and history, providing a comfort zone regardless of season performance. He also views most of the remaining Playoff tracks as favorable for the team, except for Bristol, which remains a personal challenge.
“For me, going to Darlington to start really helps because that’s a track for me that even when I like just can’t even function as a driver we still manage to run somewhere in the top 10. I feel like over the years that’s a place that when we’re strong we’re upfront, we’re leading laps and when we’re a little off we’re still in the top 10 and top five. So, for me, that’s just been one of those tracks just whether it’s the spring race or the Southern 500, it’s just a really good track for me.”
—Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing driver
“I’m just thinking about the first race honestly. Gateway, yeah Gateway I think we’re good at when we don’t have brake failures. Bristol is the one if I’m looking at the whole Playoffs, is kind of the question mark. We haven’t had race-winning speed there in a bit. It’s a place we know we got to get better, but yeah, I know I don’t always show up in Martinsville it seems like and perform the level Bubba (Wallace) does but it’s obvious that our Camrys are good when we go to Martinsville. Yeah, when I look at a lot of the tracks that we have on the remainder, they all look good. It’s just Bristol. I’ve got to figure out how to run top 10 there.”
—Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing driver
Handling Pressure and Learning from Frustration
The pressures of a difficult season have weighed on Reddick, but drawing on his earlier experiences as a rookie has tempered those feelings, ensuring he remains focused and resilient against setbacks.
“You know, if I let myself think about it like that, I’m sure I could find reasons as to why it would be. I mean, the results, right. The speed, the capability looks like it’s there but the results – we have found a way to throw some away. Yeah, you know, I think it would be but when you come into the Cup Series as a rookie it’s real easy to just let the weight of everything just crush you. Yeah, it’s not as bad as that to there’s that at least.”
—Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing driver
Pace as a Strength, Execution as a Weakness
Reddick identifies raw speed as his team’s primary asset coming into the Playoffs, while acknowledging that poor race execution has repeatedly blunted their full potential. Securing better finishes when running up front is a top priority for the 23XI squad.
“Our speed is our strength. What’s been our weakness is the execution. We haven’t got the results on those days where we’ve been that fast. Whether that’s DNF or damage and finishing laps down, it seems when you look at this year when we’ve been fast and leading laps, we’ve found a way to not be on the lead lap by the end of it.”
—Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing driver
Navigating the Southern 500 and Changing Conditions
The Southern 500 presents differences in setup compared to the spring race, largely due to shifting weather conditions. Reddick puts trust in notes from crew chief Billy Scott, drawing on their collective past experience at Darlington to adapt to the race’s challenges.
“The weather’s different. The transition from day to night is where you try to really trust your notes, have good notes. My crew chief Billy Scott’s got a lot of experience – done this race many, many times. We’ve done this race a few times together too. You just really try to do your best to trust your instincts but also go off of what you know has happened in the past. Yeah, it seems like over the years spring to fall we’ve been pretty good both times. I’m just looking forward to getting there honestly.”
—Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing driver
Significance of a Southern 500 Victory
Securing a win at the Southern 500 would represent a personal milestone for Reddick, who considers it a major accomplishment—one that would stand atop his career highlights, along with his previous road course victory at Indianapolis.
“I guess technically I don’t think I’ve won a major. I won at Indy when we ran the road course there, so I think it’d shoot to the top for sure.”
—Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing driver
Inspiration, Legacy, and Looking Up to Peers
Reddick recalls admiring drivers like Jimmie Johnson when first entering the Cup Series, experiencing both the challenges and learning moments of racing against idols who set the standard for performance.
“I think it was Jimmie (Johnson) and then literally 15 minutes later we were wrecking coming to pit road for the first green flag cycle so that was an awful way to start it.”
—Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing driver
Now, as his stature in the sport grows, Reddick is conscious of the responsibilities and inspiration he provides for emerging drivers, recalling moments when young fans and crew members express admiration for his successes in the Xfinity Series.
“I feel like those moments are creeping up on me sooner than I want them to. It’s funny you bring this up, Luke Barnes is a part of the pit development group at 23XI, and his father Lanny was my engine tuner. He’s still at ECR. But I remember going racing in the 2 car in the Xfinity Series and Lanny was obviously engine tuning back then more so and his son came to the race track a few times and when I talked to Lanny a couple weeks ago, he’s like, ‘Yeah, my son’s over there now.’ And I’m like, ‘Oh, he is.’ Then I’m like, ‘Last time I saw him he was a kid. He was 12 and now he’s 21.’ He’s talking about, ‘Oh yeah, that was so long ago when you won those championships.’ I feel the gray hairs coming. So, yeah, it’s crazy how time moves quick and yeah there’s a kid that I’ll probably meet at the race track that one day might be coming for my job. You never know.”
—Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing driver
Influence on Young Drivers and the Next Generation
As he approaches age 30, Reddick is mindful of the impact his racing journey has on upcoming drivers, reflecting on his own experiences chasing autographs from legendary names like Steve Kinser, Tony Stewart, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. He recognizes the importance of leaving a positive impression on new fans and racers alike.
“I haven’t really given it a lot of thought – you are putting me on the spot (laughter). It is crazy to think about as time goes on. Always growing up racing, I was always the young kid racing against adults and stuff. I guess I’m getting to 30 – and there are younger guys. Connor (Zilisch) is coming up and he is a teenager. The older you get the more you realize those things are in play and going on. I think for me it just drives it home more so to just remember, as a kid, I was just trying to get Steve Kinser’s autograph. I was trying to meet Tony Stewart and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Always try to keep that in mind at the race track when kids want an autograph or wanting a picture or want to talk to you. That impact you leave on the next generation is super important.”
—Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing driver
Drawing parallels with fellow drivers like Kyle Larson and Bobby Pierce, he highlights the diversity and resilience that a dirt racing background brings to the top tiers of motorsports.
“I think about where I came from. I came from dirt racing – Kyle (Larson) did as well. I grew up racing Outlaw Karts like he did. I think it is cool that I got to do a lot of learning racing dirt Late Models with Hall of Famers, guys like Bobby Pierce – who is a friend of mine. He is going to be a future Hall of Famer for sure. It is cool to be able to say and represent the ranks of where you came from, so for me, I try to be mindful of that when I have good, bad or indifferent races – I came from some of the toughest dirt racing ranks that you can, and those guys in dirt Late Models are some of the best, smart, intense drivers. I try to be mindful of that and keep up with that as much as I can.”
—Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing driver
Formative Years and the Path from Dirt Tracks
Recalling his early days, Reddick describes growing up learning on small tracks like Cycleland Speedway and Red Bluff, where competition against other skilled kids and constant travel set the foundation for a competitive and adaptable racing style.
“For me, it was Cycleland (Speedway). It was Outlaw Karts. During the winter we got to race at Red Bluff, but just the places that we could go run those Outlaw Karts growing up – we had Cycleland in summer, Red Bluff we would race occasionally; we would go race up at Lakeport. My dad was crazy; he drove all over the place. There was just a lot of really good tracks out there and a lot of really young kids at that time racing in all of the different classes, so I just felt like the blueprint of a go-kart, starting out young with the Briggs Stratton, then getting into the 125, 250, 500 – all of that power in a go-kart with a wing, and running on dirt tracks with cushions and slicked off middle grooves. The level of racing that we were doing in those Outlaw Karts at a young age set us down that path and being able to jump into midgets and Sprint Cars, mini-sprints, late models and be competitive.”
—Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing driver
Learning from Past Teams and Career Turning Points
Challenges during his first season at Homestead taught Reddick vital lessons about focus and team synergy, which paid off after transitioning to Richard Childress Racing. This personal growth period sharpened his awareness of what it takes to unlock a team’s full capabilities.
“I had my own faults for that – I played into it. It wasn’t the best year that I had when I got my head on straight and put together a good stretch, it finally showed what that team was capable of all year long, that first year. When I moved over to RCR (Richard Childress Racing), and started from scratch, if you will, there, I was in a much better place.”
—Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing driver
Darlington’s Unique Challenges and Reddick’s Affinity
Darlington Raceway stands out for its distinctive irregularities, from its bumps and seams to long-standing imperfections. According to Reddick, these attributes make it an ideal test for adaptability, a trait he values highly.
“Don’t take this the wrong way – I think it is all of its little imperfections that make it perfect. All of the little details and that the wall isn’t just perfectly smoothed out. It has waves in certain spots. The holes, the bumps, the seams, the patches that they’ve had to put in over the years. All of the little things that add up to a really tricky, tough race track to get around. I think – nowadays, all of these tracks are built – they try to have them perfectly flat, smoothed out, and yes, they are great race tracks, but a place like Darlington – it’s been there as long as it has. It has a lot of character. It has a lot of things that a track, if it was built today, wouldn’t have. I think for me, that is what makes it so great.”
—Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing driver
His adaptability further explains why Darlington suits his style, allowing him to respond quickly to conditions and find competitive pace almost instinctively after just a few laps.
“Well, if I miss the bottom, I just try to move up. I just keep moving up until I find competitive lap time and at a place like Darlington, yeah, pretty much after lap two or three, you are pretty much at the top ripping. For me, it is my comfort zone, honestly.”
—Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing driver
What Comes Next for Tyler Reddick and 23XI Racing
Looking ahead, the start of the Playoffs at Darlington provides an opportunity for Reddick and his 23XI Racing team to prove themselves and shed the frustrations of a regular season marked by near-misses. The pressure to execute is higher than ever, with a deep Playoff run and potential championship on the line. Reddick’s blend of self-awareness, appreciation for the sport’s legacy, and resolve to improve execution will be crucial as the team embarks on NASCAR’s most critical stretch of races, backed by the energy of a proven Tyler Reddick NASCAR Playoff mindset.
