Tyler Reddick’s move to Denny Hamlin co-owned 23XI Racing in 2023 played a crucial role in his growth as a well-rounded competitor in the NASCAR Cup Series. The 29-year-old driver credited Hamlin’s high racing IQ for sharpening his skills, especially in short-track racing, which has enhanced his performance in this highly competitive field.
Originating from Corning, Reddick is a two-time Xfinity Series champion who earned his place in the Cup Series in 2020 with Richard Childress Racing (RCR). Over the next few seasons, he proved his talent by winning three races in 2022. His decision to join 23XI Racing marked a new chapter in his career, where he continued to find success, winning two races in his first year with the team.
Although Reddick’s win total dipped just slightly compared to his previous season at RCR, he gained the advantage of Denny Hamlin’s guidance. Hamlin, a seasoned veteran with over 20 years in top-level stock car racing and 58 wins—the second-most among active drivers—has been instrumental in sharing his extensive knowledge with Reddick and teammate Bubba Wallace.
Insights into Hamlin’s Role in Developing Reddick’s Racecraft
At a press conference before the Brickyard 400, Reddick explained how Hamlin’s expertise has deepened his understanding of race strategy and vehicle management, helping make him a more complete driver.
“He’s very high racing IQ. I feel like over the last couple years, he’s done more sharing of that with everybody with the platforms that he uses. For me, he’s really helped me understand short-track racing… I feel like between him and Bubble Wallace, my teammate as well, they’ve helped me better understand what to look for in my car, how to approach the race, how to manage the tires, and just put the race together… But yeah, he’s helped me become a more well-rounded driver.” —Tyler Reddick, NASCAR driver
He also highlighted the collaborative dynamic they share on different types of tracks.
“And you know, the last couple years, Denny’s been able to get wind pulls on road courses, too. So, it’s been fun to share our strengths and work on the weaknesses together. I’ve enjoyed that about it.” —Tyler Reddick, NASCAR driver
This season marks the third year of collaboration between Hamlin and Reddick, underlining the significance of this partnership for both drivers and 23XI Racing as a whole.
Potential Uncertainty Surrounding Reddick’s Future with 23XI Racing
Despite Reddick’s success in winning the Regular Season championship with 23XI Racing last year, the team’s ongoing legal dispute with NASCAR raises questions about his long-term future with the organization. This situation presents a potential challenge for team co-owners Denny Hamlin and NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan, whose squad is based in Huntersville.
When asked about Reddick’s continued commitment to the team, Hamlin remained noncommittal.
“I don’t have any direct comment to that.” —Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver and team co-owner
Meanwhile, Hamlin himself maintains a strong performance record this season, holding the most wins among active drivers, including his recent victory at Dover Motor Speedway last weekend.
The evolving dynamic between Denny Hamlin and Tyler Reddick, paired with the legal tensions involving 23XI Racing, adds a layer of intrigue to the Cup Series landscape. How these elements unfold could significantly impact both Reddick’s career trajectory and the future strength of the 23XI Racing team.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Tyler Reddick cover the Jordan logo?
A. This paint design honors the 40th anniversary of the Air Jordan 1 shoe. The NBA initially wanted to stop Michael Jordan from wearing this shoe early in his successful 15-year career, mostly with the Chicago Bulls.
