When Chris Buescher’s shot at glory came to a startling end after contact with Tyler Reddick, what unfolded was certainly not expected by the 23XI Racing driver. In an out-of-character moment, Chris Buescher approached the #45 driver post-race and exchanged a few heated words. Fortunately, things didn’t escalate further as Reddick immediately apologized for his last-minute Hail Mary.

That being said, one veteran rather familiar with such incidents felt that Denny Hamlin’s 23XI star was perhaps a little too harsh on himself. Owing to the nature of NASCAR racing, did Tyler Reddick need to apologize for his move to the extent that he did? Kevin Harvick certainly doesn’t believe so.

Kevin Harvick highlights the issue with drivers taking the high road

After the #45 Camry XSE and the #17 Mustang Darkhorse made their way back to pit road, Reddick was apologetic throughout the remainder of the day. Citing that his move was miscalculated and it shouldn’t have caused Buescher such misery, Reddick took all the blame to himself. But Kevin Harvick felt that the apologies were getting out of hand. In a sport known for its brawls, drivers taking the blame when unnecessary made Harvick feel some were being pushovers.

The veteran shared on Harvick’s Happy Hour, “I hated that interview. I just, I don’t like when these guys go down the road of apologizing so much that it’s just pathetic, and honestly, that’s how I feel. I understand that, I just wish they would apologize and say “I had to do what I had to do to try and win the race, and it didn’t work out, I’m sorry, and I apologize for doing that. If I had to do it again I wish we would’ve both continued” but don’t over-apologize please.”

Although the former SHR and RCR star criticized Reddick’s apology, Harvick felt that the 23XI Racing driver was only robbing himself of due credit. According to Harvick, Reddick shouldn’t have ended the race with any moves different from the slide job. He added, “I love the fact that he shot that thing in there and tried to make a slide job happen. Like, I love the way that Tyler Reddick drives.”

For Harvick, the biggest issue such apologies created was drivers being overly critical and in turn, resorting to fewer risks. The pity party just didn’t work out. He concluded, “I just wish he would not worry about, not just Tyler, but some of them would not just worry about apologizing so much that it seems overdone. Like, ‘Hey, I didn’t want that to happen. I’m sorry. Hate it for Chris.” and just move on. But don’t sink us into the sympathy train.”

Whilst Kevin Harvick was fairly critical of Reddick’s failure to stand up for himself, the FOX Analyst also gave credit where it’s due by highlighting the #45 driver’s driving style.

Despite criticizing his apology, Harvick sheds light on Reddick’s ‘Spectacular’ skillset

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Although you may think Kevin Harvick has it out for Tyler Reddick owing to his post-race interview at Darlington, Harvick used his experience as a team owner to defend the 23XI Racing driver. According to Harvick, apologizing was a must, but the extent of it needed to be toned down by Reddick and other drivers. The FOX analyst felt there was no other move that Reddick should have made.

He stated, “I think you have to apologize. But you don’t want to overdo it, because I think, I didn’t want it to end that way, but I did want to make that move. And I’m not gonna apologize for trying to make a move that, would have been a spectacular move, right? Don’t apologize for being a dynamic, spectacular driver.”

After commending Reddick’s race-craft, Harvick also highlighted how any team owner would want their driver to take such race-winning risks. The former KHI boss concluded, “If I’m Tyler Reddick’s crew chief or team owner, I’m pulling him in there today and saying, ‘Look man, I don’t want you to think twice about any of this. Do the exact same thing again. I want you to be that guy”

With Kevin Harvick highlighting both sides of the coin, do you think Tyler Reddick may have been overly critical of himself? And does this leave the #45 vulnerable to further accusations in the future?