The Homestead Miami Speedway race did not go according to plan for the most playoff drivers. However, Tyler Reddick clinched the win, but he was followed by 5 playoff drivers who wanted the win much more than him. Ryan Blaney came in second and Denny Hamlin finished third. These results were unexpected, as all the drivers in the top 6 performed quite well.

During the post-race interview, Denny Hamlin was caught in a candid interview where he shared his experience from the race. Hamlin opened up about the disappointment of not capitalizing on a crucial race moment, confessing that he came up short when it mattered most. Reflecting on his performance, he stated, “I tried to cover all lanes, but just couldn’t quite get off the corner as good as I needed to.”

While Hamlin is known for his skill on older tires, this time he felt the weight of his struggles during a short run. “Short run is my specialty all day, obviously,” he added, underscoring the irony of missing a chance to shine in his strong suit. Despite having everything he needed from JGR and the No. 11 team, he acknowledged that the race slipped away from him: “To control the race, you have to find a way to finish it, and I just didn’t.”

Looking ahead, Hamlin wants to focus on the upcoming race that will decide who is in the finals. “You’re not out of it until today through the checkered flag,” he reminded fans, indicating his determination to bounce back at Martinsville.

Denny Hamlin has had a tough career, as he has always been close to winning at the finals, only to see the playoffs betray him. It’s been 19 years since Hamlin has been a frontrunner in the Cup Series and now the only thing left for him to achieve is the championship title. Although the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing driver did not win the Homestead race, he still has a reason to celebrate as a driver from 23XI Racing won instead.

Tyler Reddick’s unexpected win at Homestead

Tyler Reddick’s dramatic win at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday has him heading to the Championship 4 in Phoenix, and one fan in particular couldn’t have been prouder—team co-owner Michael Jordan. Watching from Reddick’s pit stall, Jordan was on edge as his driver made a daring final-lap move to clinch victory, passing Ryan Blaney coming off Turn 4. It was a huge moment for 23XI Racing, marking a major milestone for the team in just its fourth season in NASCAR.

Jordan was over the moon after the race, sharing his excitement with NBC Sports. “Almost thought we were gonna run out of gas,” he revealed. He praised Reddick’s fearless drive, saying, “Lil kid drove his a-s off. I’m proud of him. He just went for it, and we needed it.” That last-ditch caution for Kyle Larson’s spin set up a wild final restart where Reddick faced stiff competition from Denny Hamlin and Blaney, who traded the lead as they charged toward the checkered flag.

But Reddick wasn’t backing down. On the last lap, he made his move, passing Hamlin, then riding high in Turns 3 and 4 to edge past Blaney for the win. With this victory, Reddick joins Joey Logano in the Championship 4, leaving two more spots up for grabs at Martinsville. It’s a high-stakes finale, but 23XI Racing and Jordan have a lot to celebrate as their driver races for the title on November 10.

Do you think 23XI Racing has a chance at the title in its 4th year of existence? Share your thoughts in the comments below.