Tyler Reddick’s outspoken critique of NASCAR’s Next–Gen car has added fuel to ongoing debates following his dramatic race at Darlington, highlighting how equipment changes are impacting drivers’ performances and strategies. With Reddick voicing frustration after a recent Southern 500 showdown, the dialogue continues on whether the Next-Gen car is enhancing or hampering both athlete skill and fan enjoyment.
Reddick’s Battle at Darlington Sparks Debate on Next-Gen Vehicle
During the Southern 500, Tyler Reddick, representing 23XI Racing, endured a rough start when Josh Berry’s No. 4 Ford collided with his No. 45 Toyota on the opening lap. Although this early incident nearly ended his race, Reddick managed to recover, displaying notable speed and tenacity through the remainder of the event. Despite his efforts, he ultimately finished second, unable to surpass Chase Briscoe, who displayed dominant form by leading over 300 laps. Reflecting on his narrow miss at victory, Reddick shared his disappointment and his thoughts on the limitations imposed by NASCAR’s 2022 vehicle updates.
“I wish I could have been just a little bit closer.”
—Tyler Reddick, Driver
The introduction of the Next-Gen car in 2022 sparked considerable controversy among competitors and fans, with issues ranging from driver safety concerns—including serious concussion risks—to questions over how the new vehicle configuration has altered competition dynamics. Reddick, whose racing career is marked by resilience and adaptability, now finds himself joining those critical of the current setup.
Despite notable successes in recent seasons—including back-to-back Xfinity Series championships in 2018 and 2019 and eight NASCAR Cup Series victories since the Next-Gen rollout—Reddick has expressed nostalgia for racing before the new car’s debut. The recent Goodyear 400 at Darlington, which received more than half negative feedback from fans, highlighted broader dissatisfaction with recent changes, including instances like William Byron‘s near total dominance and races derailed by technical mishaps. Such outcomes, coupled with fan backlash, have reignited the debate over the Next-Gen car’s overall impact on the sport.
Reddick Voices Strong Criticism of Next-Gen Car
On a recent episode of the popular ‘Stacking Pennies’ podcast, Tyler Reddick laid bare his conflicted feelings about NASCAR’s latest vehicle platform.
“Might be an unpopular opinion, but I kinda hate it,”
Reddick stated, directly addressing the current car’s reception among drivers and fans. —Tyler Reddick, Driver
He further explained that the structural changes to the car have discouraged the aggressive, precision-based driving styles that he and many of his peers once relied on, especially at tracks like Homestead and Darlington.
“I really loved, you know, the amount of precision that we had in the steel body car at places like Homestead, Darlington – anywhere you could run the high-liner, run near the fence. Because I felt like, you know, that was something I was really good at. I knew I could run really close to the wall and not hit it.”
—Tyler Reddick, Driver
According to Reddick, the current composite body style carries risks that have forced drivers away from the wall-hugging strategies once popular at these iconic venues.
“When we go to Darlington now with the Next-Gen car, the guys are running this far off the wall. It might be because they do hit it, and they have issues hitting into the wall.”
—Tyler Reddick, Driver
To compensate for these challenges, Reddick has adopted an unconventional approach during practice sessions.
“I think, for me, it’s just having a really good understanding of where your car ends…of where the right-rear quarter panel is…With the composite body, you can bend the toe link, you can tear up the suspension. But for the most part, guys don’t even practice, and I’m one of them as well. I don’t care. I will literally go hit the wall in practice, because I wanna know exactly where the wall is and how much room I got.”
—Tyler Reddick, Driver
Presently, Reddick maintains a 30-point advantage heading into the next round of NASCAR playoffs, despite having to settle for a 16th-place finish at Gateway as he learns to adapt his racing to the evolving equipment standards.
Shifting Team Dynamics and Legal Uncertainty
The technical issues surrounding the Next-Gen car are not the only challenges looming over Reddick and 23XI Racing. Legal woes off the track have introduced fresh uncertainty, after the Fourth District of Appeals overturned the team’s charters as part of an ongoing NASCAR lawsuit. Should these legal troubles persist, Reddick—who holds an opt-out clause in his contract—could potentially leave the team, though team leadership projects confidence in keeping him onboard.
Denny Hamlin, co-owner of 23XI Racing alongside Michael Jordan and Curtis Polk, has publicly voiced his assurance that Reddick will remain with the team as the situation develops.
“We have him under contract. I think he probably feels as confident as we are for December. I’m not sure.”
—Denny Hamlin, Team Owner
Despite the backdrop of litigation and operational upheaval, the partnership between Reddick and his team has been tested on the racetrack as well. An example unfolded at the Enjoy Illinois 300, when a botched pit stop sequence forced Reddick to improvise, seeking assistance from his team’s co-owner’s pit crew to avert disaster. In the heat of the moment, Reddick’s determination was audible over the radio:
“Stop, stop in the box! Stop at the 23! Stop somewhere! Stop at a Toyota box! Stop! The 11, the 11, the 11!”
—Tyler Reddick, Driver
He continued to give urgent instructions during the chaotic scene in the pit lane:
“Left rear, left rear, Nick! Tell them left rear. Jack it up, left rear!”
—Tyler Reddick, Driver
This incident underscored both the pressure Reddick faces and the support structure surrounding him as he continues to chase success in this unpredictable Cup Series season.
What Lies Ahead for Reddick and NASCAR?
With the playoffs underway, Tyler Reddick is positioned seventh in the point standings as he sets his sights on Bristol Motor Speedway. The long-running debate sparked by Tyler Reddick’s Next-Gen car criticism invites further reflection on whether the technology shift has genuinely enhanced NASCAR or complicated the sport for both its drivers and its increasingly vocal fan base. As legal proceedings and technical controversies unfold, Reddick’s ongoing performance and the stability of 23XI Racing may well offer insight into how top drivers and teams will navigate this new era in stock car racing.
As the season progresses, observers will closely watch how Reddick’s feedback, team dynamics, and court decisions shape not only his own prospects but potentially the trajectory of NASCAR’s highest level—as drivers, teams, and fans all grapple with the complex legacy of the Next-Gen car.
