Sure, winning a Cup Series race is a huge deal, but it only multiplies tenfold when it’s the race that gets you into the finals. There was almost no hope for Tyler Reddick to be in the finals unless he made sure that he was the fastest driver in the grid of 36 cars. And now that he has done just that, he has earned the Top 4 spot for him and the No. 45 23XI Racing team.

What makes this win even more interesting is the fact that Reddick defeated his own team boss, Denny Hamlin, and found himself in the finals. Hamlin, on the other hand, is yet to reserve a spot in the top 4 for Phoenix and with just 1 race and 2 final spots left, he is put in a tough position by Reddick. After the race, Reddick spoke to SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, where he explained how he clinched the win and put him back in contention for the title.

Tyler Reddick’s state of mind while racing for the win at Homestead

Tyler Reddick’s win at Homestead was a thrilling comeback, powered by instinct and the kind of opportunity drivers only dream about. Reflecting on his race, in an interview with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Reddick described how there were “four or five of us there that were so close on pace” that it came down to who could seize control first. With everyone running neck and neck, he knew that “whoever got control of the race… was going to be able to control it pretty well.” For Reddick, that meant waiting patiently for the perfect moment, but he also knew patience alone wouldn’t be enough—he needed to be ready to pounce.

As those final laps ticked down, the stakes shot through the roof. “When you get down to the end of these races, man, it’s hard to know what’s going to happen,” he admitted. That sense of unpredictability loomed large, especially with such a strong lineup at the front. Yet, rather than letting the tension get to him, Reddick kept his cool, trusting that his moment would come. Reflecting on the intensity, he said, “That last lap just still blows my mind,” highlighting just how rare and wild those split-second decisions are when a race could swing any way.

About the move that made him win, Tyler Reddick explained, “I didn’t know what my choices were going to be, but when that tunnel opened up, I saw the light, and basically, I just had to go up there and grab it.” Out of nowhere, a gap opened up, and in that split second, Reddick knew he had to go for it. “When that tunnel opened up, I saw the light, and basically, I just had to go up there and grab it,” he said.

He didn’t care if he had to pass the No. 12 or brush the wall in the process—he was ready to risk “all the above” if it meant taking the win. This was Reddick at his finest, refusing to let the pressure get to him and committing to a high-stakes move that could either put him on top or end his day entirely.

When it all fell into place, even Reddick was stunned. “I can’t believe it worked out the way it did,” he said, marveling at how everything lined up. Not only had he taken control in a high-speed battle, but he’d done so while going head-to-head with his own team boss, Denny Hamlin.

How did Tyler Reddick pull off the win?

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In a race that had fans on the edge of their seats, Tyler Reddick took the Homestead-Miami Speedway by storm, pulling off one of the most jaw-dropping finishes of the season to lock himself into the NASCAR Championship 4. Reddick’s incredible last-lap “ride-the-wall” move was the stuff of racing legends. With worn-out tires and only the slimmest of chances, he went for it, skimming along the fence with fearless precision and securing a victory that had the entire track buzzing.

Reddick and his 23XI Racing team fought through every twist and turn, proving their mettle in a packed playoff field. Kyle Larson struggled early on, Justin Haley spun out on Lap 1, and the race stayed unpredictable, keeping fans glued to the action. The 45-car was untouchable, clocking a blazing 33.379-second lap that left competitors like Ryan Blaney trailing. With that, Reddick made it into the finals for the first time for 23XI Racing.

Do you think that Tyler Reddick has a chance to surprise everyone at Phoenix and win the Cup Series title for 23XI Racing? Share your thoughts in the comments below.