Tyler Reddick delivered an impressive performance in the NASCAR Cup Series race held Sunday on the Chicago street course, finishing third. Despite starting from 18th place with 12 laps remaining, Reddick made a remarkable late-race push that almost caught the winner, Shane Van Gisbergen, as part of his notable Tyler Reddick Chicago race run.
Reddick’s Late-Race Surge and Near Victory
In the closing laps of the 75-lap event, Reddick, driving the #45 Jumpman Toyota Camry, surged through traffic, overtaking 15 competitors to secure a spot on the podium. The defending Cup Series regular-season champion showed significant speed but fell just short of overtaking Van Gisbergen before the finish. Shane Van Gisbergen, behind the wheel of the #88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet, secured his second victory of 2025, leading 26 laps and marking his third career win, including a previous Chicago street course triumph.
Reflecting on his near-win, Reddick shared,
“This Jumpman Toyota Camry was really fast, it just – we needed that restart to go a little differently. I definitely think we had the pace to get to Shane. It was hard to say how much he was saving or not, but it felt good to have a shot of it.”
—Tyler Reddick, Driver
Performance Highlights and Season Context
The third-place finish marked Reddick’s fifth top-five result this season, strengthening his position in the points standings. Despite not having won yet in 2025, the California native holds fifth place overall with a comfortable 143-point lead above the playoff cutoff, maintaining the highest ranking among drivers without a victory. With seven regular-season races remaining, Reddick continues to demonstrate consistency and speed.
23XI Racing’s Team Efforts and Post-Race Reflections
23XI Racing, co-owned by former NBA star Michael Jordan and NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin, showcased resilience during the Chicago street race. Alongside Reddick’s third-place finish, Riley Herbst finished 17th in the #35 car, while Bubba Wallace ended 28th in the #23 entry. Following the race, 23XI Racing’s social media praised the efforts of all three drivers, emphasizing their determination on challenging street circuits.
Tyler Reddick, now in his third full-time season with 23XI Racing, has earned five victories with the team and clinched last year’s regular season championship. In 2024, he advanced to the Championship 4 finale at Phoenix, finishing fourth among title contenders, highlighting his growth as a consistent competitor.
Looking Ahead: Implications for the NASCAR Season
Reddick’s strong showing at Chicago signals his continued emergence as a serious contender this NASCAR season. With substantial points in hand and momentum building, the 23XI Racing driver aims to secure his first win of 2025 in the remaining events. Meanwhile, Shane Van Gisbergen’s victory reinforces his success on street courses, posing a challenge for other competitors as the season progresses toward the playoffs.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Tyler Reddick get 0 points?
A. Since Reddick was a guest driver, he couldn’t earn points towards the championship.
