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USA Today via Reuters
Mar 11, 2023; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch (8) during qualifying for the United Rentals Work United 500 at Phoenix Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
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USA Today via Reuters
Mar 11, 2023; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch (8) during qualifying for the United Rentals Work United 500 at Phoenix Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Last year, Tyler Reddick really burst onto the scene in the NASCAR Cup Series. Ever since his full-time debut in 2020, he had normally been a ‘middle of the pack’ driver. In 2020 and 2021, he had mostly lingered around the Top 10 in his results, with his best finish being 2nd place. That was achieved at Texas in 2020, Homestead-Miami, and the Charlotte Roval in 2021. In 2022 though, his form took a turn for the dramatic. Reddick went and bagged three wins that year, and was in rip-roaring form. Meanwhile, Kyle Busch was just about keeping himself in contention in the twilight of his Joe Gibbs career.
The best part for many teams was that Reddick was out of a contract for 2023. It didn’t take long for the 23XI Racing team to swoop in, especially since Richard Childress Racing was simply stalling. So Tyler Reddick was recruited to partner Bubba Wallace for this season, and he has been performing relatively alright. However, he has not achieved the same level of success with 23XI Racing, as he did with RCR.
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Reddick’s successor Kyle Busch is performing well in the RCR car
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Hendrick Motorsports legend Steve Letarte mentioned in the Dirty Mo Dough podcast, “So I know its late in the year to say this, but I’m going to avoid this one. This is kind of like when Reddick went to the first road course. We weren’t sure how he’s going to do in a Toyota. I think all of his numbers are kind of in that RCR equipment. I have a hard time knowing what that RCR equipment is or was, cause Busch is pretty good now.”
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USA Today via Reuters
Feb 15, 2023; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Tyler Reddick (45) talks with the press during media day at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Admittedly, the facts do back up that claim, thanks to a certain Kyle Busch. The 2-time NASCAR champion seems to have had a new lease of life, ever since he joined RCR. In essence, Busch took over the #8 seat that Reddick vacated, in order to join 23XI Racing. With a little more than half the season over, Kyle Busch equaled Reddick’s win tally at Richard Childress Racing.
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Reddick is actually pretty competitive in the 23XI Racing machine
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To be honest, this is not a slight at Tyler Reddick and his talent. In fact, he has snatched a race win for 23XI Racing at Circuit of the Americas. Teammate Bubba Wallace is no slouch either, having racked up a hat-trick of Top 5 finishes. With the pace that he has shown, one has to think that a race win is just around the corner.
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However, the big question is, will it come too late in the game? Both of his race wins have come, long after the Playoffs have begun. This year, there is time for that first win of the season, but he cannot afford to waffle about, as that time is running out.
WATCH THIS STORY: Tyler Reddick Becomes the Laughing Stock After Reunion With Billionaire Owner Michael Jordan & Garth Brooks