After Tyler Reddick narrowly missed victory at the Darlington playoffs race, Michael Jordan, co-owner of 23XI Racing, gave the driver some notable advice. The race, the Cook Out Southern 500, took place recently at Darlington, where Reddick, starting fourth, finished as the runner-up behind Joe Gibbs Racing’s Chase Briscoe.
Jordan reminded Reddick about the endurance required in long races and emphasized staying composed despite early challenges. This encouragement came after Reddick encountered contact with Josh Berry on the opening lap, an incident that could have ended his chances but ultimately did not.
“He [Jordan] reminded me it’s a long race. I pretty much forgot that me and Berry got together on the first lap … this race could’ve been disastrous but we survived that. We’ll turn these seconds into a victory one day.” —Tyler Reddick
Overview of 23XI Racing and Tyler Reddick’s Performance at Darlington
23XI Racing, co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, fields three cars in the NASCAR Cup Series: the #45 for Tyler Reddick, the #23 for Bubba Wallace, and the #35 for Riley Herbst. At Darlington, Reddick qualified fourth behind pole winner Denny Hamlin, Chase Briscoe, and Josh Berry from Wood Brothers Racing.
During the race, Reddick made steady progress, climbing to second after Stage 1 and maintaining that position through Stage 2. He briefly led three laps, seizing the front before Briscoe reclaimed the lead and ultimately won the race. Other top finishers included Erik Jones in third, John Hunter Nemechek in fourth, and AJ Allmendinger rounding out the top five.
Tyler Reddick Reflects on Near Miss and Playoff Ambitions
In a post-race interview, Tyler Reddick expressed frustration over missing another win at Darlington. He revealed ongoing challenges during the final green flag runs, where he often gets close to the lead without securing a victory. Reddick’s comments captured a mix of disappointment and determination as he prepares for upcoming playoff rounds.
“Makes me sick. I feel like late in this race, especially this one, the Southern 500, I always find myself second or third in the last green flag run, trying to pass the leader and just don’t get it done.” —Tyler Reddick
“I think Monday morning I’ll wake up and be thinking playoffs. Right now, I’m just thinking about this race, Darlington,” Reddick said. “Yes, those things are great for us, but, man, I’ve done everything but win at this place and it’s really starting to drive me nuts.” —Tyler Reddick
Despite the setback, Reddick’s position in the playoff standings improved. He is currently placed fourth, trailing Chase Briscoe, Denny Hamlin, and Kyle Larson by a narrow margin in points, keeping his championship hopes alive.
Implications for Tyler Reddick and 23XI Racing Moving Forward
Michael Jordan’s counsel to Reddick highlights the importance of patience and resilience in the NASCAR playoffs. With the competitiveness of Darlington behind him, Reddick’s focus will shift to converting close finishes into wins in upcoming races. His steady climb in the standings and ability to recover from early race incidents signal a promising outlook for both the driver and the 23XI Racing team as they aim for success in the remaining playoff rounds.
