Tyler Reddick and 23XI Racing began the 2025 Cup playoffs with strong performances, as Reddick and teammate Bubba Wallace advanced through the early rounds. However, after the first race of Round 12 at New Hampshire, the team lost its momentum, leaving both drivers outside the playoff cut line due to disappointing results. With the next race approaching at Kansas Speedway, a venue where 23XI Racing has historically excelled, Reddick expressed his growing anxiety about their chances to advance.
The driver noted that despite the past success the team has had at Kansas, recent changes and underwhelming finishes have prevented them from maximizing their performance. Their failure to capitalize on their speed advantage in the last two seasons at this track has only increased the pressure on Reddick and his crew heading into Sunday’s race.
Reddick Opens Up About His Playoff Nerves and Team Challenges
In candid remarks, Tyler Reddick admitted his nervousness following a tough week, highlighting the weight of expectations and the recent difficulties faced by 23XI Racing. He reflected on the team’s prior strong record at Kansas, acknowledging a noticeable decline in recent visits that has raised doubts about their ability to secure a favorable finish this time around.
“I think we all know we got our a**es handed to us last week…I think (we’re) fairly nervous. 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. I look at the last two or three times we’ve been here we’ve been missing a little bit of something.” Tyler Reddick said via motorsport.com.
Reddick also pointed to recent adjustments in car setup and the introduction of new Goodyear tire compounds as factors contributing to inconsistent results. These evolving conditions demand adaptability, and with the playoff stakes so high, the pressure is mounting for the team to deliver either a victory or a top-five finish.
“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-5 all day and score a lot of points.” Tyler Reddick added.
Playoff Point Situation: Reddick’s Strategy Ahead of the Roval
Looking beyond Kansas, Reddick shared insights on his points outlook leading into the critical Roval race at Charlotte. Though currently facing a 23-point deficit outside the cutoff, the No.45 driver remains cautiously optimistic about his ability to claw back into playoff contention, drawing confidence from previous seasons when he started that event below the cut line but still managed to advance.
“I really haven’t run through that yet but I’m almost positive the last two seasons we’ve gone into the Roval below the cutline. You never want to go into that race in that position but you don’t want to go into that race in a tricky spot… My gut would say even if we are outside by 10 points, it’s doable.” Tyler Reddick said.
He acknowledged that making up such a large points gap depends not just on his own results but also on how his competitors perform during the upcoming races. Despite the daunting odds, Reddick believes his team’s past resilience gives them a chance to prevail in this tight playoff race.
“Sitting where we are minus 23 points outside, that’s a pretty hard number to overcome. That’s counting on others not getting stage points…I would love to win and not worry about this next week, but we’ve been able to overcome a deficit twice over the last few years. That does give me confidence.” Tyler Reddick added.
Implications for 23XI Racing and the 2025 Playoffs
The recent struggles at New Hampshire and the resulting slip in the standings have placed Tyler Reddick and 23XI Racing in a high-pressure situation. With both team drivers currently outside the playoff bubble, their upcoming performances at Kansas and Charlotte will be critical to extend their seasons. The challenges posed by car changes, new tire compounds, and fierce competition have escalated the stakes.
To avoid elimination, Reddick and Bubba Wallace need to capitalize on their speed and deliver strong finishes, aiming for wins or consistent top-five placements. Success in the next rounds not only means survival but could also pave the way for 23XI Racing’s first victory of the season. How they respond to this pressure will reveal much about the team’s resilience and adaptability in a tightly contested playoff environment.
