Tyler Reddick’s playoff hopes are in jeopardy as he heads to Kansas Speedway following a challenging race at New Hampshire, with Shane van Gisbergen’s road course record making the situation even tougher. The 23XI Racing driver now faces a must-win scenario, knowing his best opportunity might come before the Charlotte Roval, given van Gisbergen’s dominance on road courses.
Pressure Mounts for Reddick After New Hampshire Setback
After starting the Round of 12 just three points below the elimination line, Tyler Reddick’s 21st-place finish at New Hampshire Motor Speedway has put him at a 23-point deficit in the playoff standings. With only two races left in the round—one at Kansas Speedway and the other at the Charlotte Roval—the margin for error has disappeared for Reddick and his team.
Although two events remain, Reddick understands that leaning on the Roval for a comeback may not be wise. Shane van Gisbergen, a driver from New Zealand, has repeatedly proven himself almost untouchable on road courses like the Charlotte Roval. This leaves Kansas as Reddick’s best window to secure a playoff berth, as the odds of prevailing at the Roval are considerably lower against a competitor of van Gisbergen’s caliber.
Reddick Considers Kansas a Pivotal Race for Playoff Survival
During a recent appearance on the Door, Bumper, Clear podcast, Reddick reflected on the looming challenges facing him and his teammate Bubba Wallace as they approach the Kansas race. He noted:
“I think it’s very possible that leaving Kansas, one of us will be.”
– Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing Driver
Reddick recognized the difficult position both he and Wallace are in, given the similar pace they tend to run. He explained the playoff math and the tough gap to close:
“For one to have a good day and close the gap, the other can’t have as good a day. I don’t know. I feel like we typically perform pretty equally well, right? But man, it’s a tough hole. You know, we were able to eliminate a 20-point gap pretty easily in the Round of 16. In the Round of 12, it gets harder.”
– Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing Driver
For Wallace, the situation is even more dire as he sits at the bottom of the playoff table, 27 points outside the cutline. Reddick commented on what would be required if either of them failed to make up points at Kansas:
“We would have to have almost a strong enough day where we were in contention to win all day long but didn’t win.”
– Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing Driver
Shane van Gisbergen’s Road Course Success Looms Large
Kansas Speedway now represents a critical juncture for Reddick, as victory at the Roval would require an exceptional performance—something typically expected only from a road course ace such as Shane van Gisbergen. As the No. 45 Toyota Camry XSE pilot, Reddick is under pressure to deliver this weekend, since banking on a miracle at Charlotte may not be realistic given the caliber of competition.
What unfolds in Kansas could decide not only Reddick’s fate, but also the trajectory for 23XI Racing in this year’s playoffs. With van Gisbergen’s long-standing road course dominance adding to the intensity, the upcoming race stands as a make-or-break test in the battle for advancement.
