Tyler Reddick’s Darlington runner-up finish offered a vital turnaround for both himself and 23XI Racing, following a tough stretch in the Cup Series season. On Sunday at Darlington Raceway, Reddick delivered his strongest performance in weeks, boosting his Cup playoff prospects and restoring much-needed morale for his team.
After a challenging run through the regular season, Reddick’s second-place finish placed him 35 points above the cut-off for the Round of 12 elimination, providing a buffer as the playoffs progress. The race did not start smoothly; early on, Josh Berry spun in Turn 2 with Reddick just on his outside. Despite making contact with the wall and momentarily losing stability, Reddick managed to keep control and avoid significant damage to his Camry, allowing him to remain competitive throughout the event.
Kyle Petty, a former driver, commented on Reddick’s handling of the incident and his resilient performance, sharing his thoughts on NASCAR: Inside the Race.
“I don’t think a lot affects Tyler Reddick. Let me just be really clear about that. He just gets up on the wheel and drives.”
—Kyle Petty, Former NASCAR Driver. Petty continued,
“Whatever it feels like, he just drives it. Watching what went on at Richmond, watching what went on at Daytona for Tyler, I think this kind of stops the bleeding for that team. This gives them something to hang their hat on.”
—Kyle Petty, Former NASCAR Driver
The No. 45 team, seeking momentum after a period of struggles, appeared relieved to have a strong result at a pivotal time. This uplift comes as Reddick had recently been struggling with confidence, especially after a disappointing finish at Daytona, which marked the end of the regular season.
Reddick’s Recent Struggles Before Darlington
Leading into Darlington, Reddick had failed to secure a win during the regular Cup Series season. He ended up in 34th place at Richmond and 21st at Daytona, both critical races at season’s end that left him and his supporters disappointed. His difficulties were especially notable considering that he had competed among the Championship 4 just the previous year.
The Regina after the Daytona race saw a somber Reddick, visibly affected by his standing. Former crew chief Steve Letarte observed this on an episode of NASCAR: Inside the Race, noting that victories are essential for drivers to return to form. Although Reddick did not win at Darlington, finishing second demonstrated resilience and the ability to respond under pressure.
With the momentum from Darlington, Reddick and the 23XI Racing team can look ahead with renewed determination. The next challenge arrives at Gateway’s World Wide Technology Raceway, where Reddick will aim to build on his recent success and solidify his place in the playoffs.
This strong performance at Darlington re-energizes both Reddick and his team, turning the focus back on their Cup Series ambitions as the postseason unfolds.
