Tyler Reddick is focusing on improving his Kansas Speedway performance as he competes in the NASCAR Cup Playoffs this weekend in Kansas City, Kansas. With 23XI Racing’s past successes at the track and Reddick currently below the playoff elimination line, the stakes are high as he looks for a competitive showing on Sunday.
23XI Racing’s Winning Legacy at Kansas
Kansas Speedway has been a favorable venue for 23XI Racing in recent years. In 2022, with the introduction of the Gen 7 car to the NASCAR Cup Series, the team secured both races at the track—Kurt Busch took victory in the spring, while Bubba Wallace claimed the checkered flag in the fall event. These wins also underscored the consistent performance of Toyota vehicles at the venue.
Carrying the momentum into 2023, Denny Hamlin—23XI co-owner and Joe Gibbs Racing driver—captured the spring race. Shortly after, Tyler Reddick drove 23XI to another Kansas victory, giving the team its third triumph in four races at the speedway and marking Toyota’s fourth straight win there.
Shift in Track Dominance and Reddick’s Challenge
Since the latter half of 2023, Kansas Speedway has seen a shift in dominance as Chevrolet drivers, especially Kyle Larson, have become leading contenders at the track. In the current playoff standings, Reddick finds himself 23 points away from the cut line for advancing to the Round of 8, intensifying the pressure for a strong result.
“We had a stretch here where it was a 23XI Toyota or a Toyota car in general, we had a pretty good record here to be able to win races,”
Reddick said. – Tyler Reddick, Driver
He went on to acknowledge recent challenges, stating,
“I look at the last two or three times we’ve been here; we’ve been missing a little bit of something.”
Adjusting to Changes and Facing Uncertainty
The evolution of racecars and the ongoing adjustments to Goodyear tires have posed new challenges for teams throughout the season. Reddick emphasized the need to adapt quickly, noting,
“The car changes, the Goodyear tires change, so naturally you’ve got to keep up with it. I think it’s fair to be nervous, there’s a lot that weighs on this weekend that its super important for us to either win or run top-five all day and score a lot of points.”
– Tyler Reddick, Driver
Optimism for the Return to 1.5-Mile Tracks
This weekend’s race at the 1.5-mile Kansas Speedway marks the series’ first visit to a similar track since the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte in May. Reddick sees potential for a turnaround, referencing past successes at comparable venues. He explained,
“You look at other mile and-a-half tracks this year, and we’ve brought cars capable of winning races at those tracks,”
Reddick said.
“It’s been since Charlotte Motor Speedway (that) we’ve had a true mile and-a-half race, so there’s been a lot of time for things to change, for people to catch up and people to fall behind.”
Anticipation for Race Weekend and Playoff Implications
As teams prepare for Kansas, feelings of anticipation and tension are mounting in the 23XI camp. Reddick admitted,
“I think that just adds to the nerves of the weekend to see how we perform when we get to the race track.”
– Tyler Reddick, Driver
The outcome of Sunday’s race will be crucial not only for Reddick’s playoff ambitions but also for 23XI Racing’s campaign to maintain their competitive legacy at Kansas Speedway. With Toyota and Chevrolet both looking strong, and former winners like Kurt Busch, Bubba Wallace, and Kyle Larson in the mix, the stage is set for an intense contest that could reshape the playoff field.
