Tyler Reddick outlasted 2023 NASCAR Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney on the final lap of Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at Homstead Miami Speedway.
Reddick is now locked into the Championship 4 with his win.
For 23XI Racing, this will mark the first time in the organization’s history that one of their drivers will race for a championship at Phoenix next month. The team is co-owned by NBA Basketball legend Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin.
Michael Jordan watched Reddick take the checkered flag from the pits.
“Little kid drove his ass off,” Michael Jordan told NBC Sports post-race. “I’m proud of him. Oh man he just let go. He just went for it and I’m glad. We needed it.”
Reddick, who started Sunday’s race from the pole position led 97 of 267 laps, which was a race-high for most laps led.
Reddick will join Joey Logano in the Championship 4. Heading into Homstead, Reddick was in a must win situation in order to advance to the Championship 4 after his uneventful weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
When the white flag waved, Reddick went from third place to first. On Turn 3 in the final lap of the race, Reddick drove past Blaney to take the lead and ultimately the race victory.
“Just really really excited that we’re going to have a shot at this championship,” Reddick told NBC Sports-post race.
Ryan Blaney, who finished second came up just shy of taking home the victory after Tyler Reddick passed Blaney on the final turn of the race.
“I had a great shot to win and I didn’t have a very good last lap,” Tyler Reddick told NBC Sports post-race.
Rounding out the top five were Ryan Blaney in second, Denny Hamlin in third, Christopher Bell in fourth and Chase Elliott in fifth.
The NASCAR Cup series will head to Martinsville on Sunday, where two spots in the Championship 4 are up for grabs.
The Round of 8 will continue at Martinsville Sleedway next Sunday at 2 p.m. Eastern where the Championship 4 field will be set.
Stage 1 Winner: Tyler Reddick
Stage 2 Winner: Denny Hamlin
Race Winner Tyler Reddick
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