Tyler Reddick, a top contender in the NASCAR Cup Series, has opened up about the circumstances behind his Charlotte Roval setback, offering insight into the factors that shaped his race and shifted his season’s momentum. The Tyler Reddick Charlotte Roval setback stands as a pivotal moment for both the driver and his 23XI Racing team, marked by intense competition and deeply personal challenges.
Road Course Showdown and Early Promise at the Roval
The 2025 NASCAR season’s road course events proved exceptionally competitive, with Shane van Gisbergen dominating these types of tracks by securing four victories. While van Gisbergen’s struggles on ovals eventually led to his elimination from the championship chase, his expertise on road layouts remained untouched, playing a key role at the Charlotte Roval.
Tyler Reddick, piloting his No. 45 23XI Racing Draft Kings Network Toyota, had previously claimed three road course victories following the debut of NASCAR’s Next-Gen car in 2022. As the Roval weekend began, Reddick edged out van Gisbergen for the pole by just 0.032 seconds, boosting expectations for a breakthrough performance. However, his fortunes shifted as the race unfolded.
Contrasting Seasons and the Chase for a Breakthrough
Reddick’s recent years highlighted a stark contrast in performance. The prior season was marked by three wins and a place in the Championship 4, while the following campaign saw him battling for wins but falling just short. With six finishes in the top five and twelve in the top ten, Reddick’s pursuit of a victory at the Roval took on new urgency as this was his chance to secure a spot in the next playoff round.
Starting at the front, Reddick led early but saw van Gisbergen reclaim the advantage during Stage 1.
“We wanted to prioritize setting up to win the race,”
Reddick lamented, explaining the critical decisions the team made while aiming for progression in the playoffs. Despite running consistently in the top group, Reddick never managed to retake the lead as the event progressed.
Van Gisbergen later faced off with competitors like Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell, ultimately winning with a comfortable margin, while Reddick slipped to a tenth-place finish. Reflecting on the team’s strategy and challenges, Reddick said,
“Just as the race unfolded, our long run was not where it needed to be with the top guys. In stage three there, we just didn’t make the progress that we needed to. We kind of went long, hoping for a caution there and lost a lot of spots…We were trying to set up for a caution late…we were only out by 14, maybe we could have chased points a little bit harder today.”
Technical Setbacks and Team Distractions
Off the racetrack, additional complications surfaced for Reddick and his team. 23XI Racing found itself involved in a major NASCAR lawsuit that could have long-term repercussions for the organization’s future. When questioned about the effect of these legal proceedings, Reddick downplayed the impact, attributing his race struggles more to technical issues and tire selection.
“When you look at the three races, we certainly missed the mark as a company at New Hampshire…that was a different tire that we didn’t have before,”
Reddick explained, highlighting Goodyear’s experimental tire debuting at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Personal Crisis Overshadows Season Goals
Amidst ongoing racing drama, Reddick faced a far more pressing battle at home. His young son, Rookie, was admitted to the cardiovascular intensive care unit at Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina, for a life-threatening condition. Alexa DeLeon, Reddick’s wife, shared the gravity of the situation:
“has a tumor that’s ‘choking’ the renal vein & renal artery, telling the heart, ‘hey I’m not getting enough blood… pump harder,’ causing the enlarged heart. He will need the entire kidney removed as it is not believed to be functioning any longer. He will undergo open surgery to remove his right kidney. We’re just not sure when.”
Despite some signs of improvement for Rookie, who remained active and cheerful with doctors and nurses, Reddick made it clear that his family’s health crisis came before racing priorities.
“For me, this week, the elimination, everything that is happening in the racing world is taking a back seat as it should.”
Community and Team Support in Difficult Times
Denny Hamlin, co-owner at 23XI Racing and a key figure in Reddick’s career, reinforced the organization’s support.
“We’ve tried to do everything we could as a company to tap into all the resources that we possibly can, to get him second, third opinions, all the things, get him in contact with specialists. We feel not a relief, but it is a little relief that they kind of understand now what the path is forward, versus, kind of not knowing. I could not imagine being in their places. He’s got enough to think about.”
Amid playoff disappointment and on-track challenges, the support from teammates and the concern for his son’s wellbeing put Reddick’s competitive setbacks in a broader context, showing the NASCAR community’s ability to come together beyond the competition of the racetrack.
The Road Ahead for Tyler Reddick and 23XI Racing
With NASCAR’s playoffs progressing and other drivers like Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell vying for championship contention, Reddick remains focused on family first. The Tyler Reddick Charlotte Roval setback underscores just how complex a racing season can become when professional and personal worlds collide. As his son Rookie continues his treatment and future races beckon, Reddick’s resolve and the outpouring of support from the NASCAR community stand as reminders of the sport’s challenging, human side.
