Kevin Harvick Eases ‘Stressed’ Tyler Reddick’s NASCAR Burden in 3-Words

At the heart of NASCAR’s thrilling races, 40 elite drivers compete furiously for victory every season. Amidst the roar of engines and the rush of adrenaline, every racer takes on the challenging corkscrew corners. Yet, winning isn’t just about being the first person to cross the finish line; it’s also about securing points for the season standings. And who would knoe that better than 23XI racer Tyler Reddick who also seems to be dealing with a similar dilemma, despite holding a fifth place in the points table.

Since he has yet to generate a winning knock this season, the steady nature of his points table seemingly hasn’t done enough to comfort him. Plus, he did not do very well in the most recent Bristol race. Therefore, it makes sense that the pressure of competition is getting to the 28-year-old. However, NASCAR commentator Kevin Harvick tried to ease his load with three true words of racing.

Tyler Reddick yet to break the ice this season

With a career-best finish and outstanding play on road courses, Tyle Reddick proved his mettle last year under 23XI Racing’s supervision. But as soon as the 2024 season kicked off, Reddick found himself grappling with inconsistency. After a dismal display at Daytona and Atlanta, he finished second the following weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Fans felt he was back on track, but he lost his momentum again in Bristol and finished 30th, which is nowhere near the 2023 classic Tyler Reddick.

In a recent episode of “Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour,” when Harvick asked the 28-year-old to sum up his thoughts on the 2024 season in one word, Reddick chose “stressful.” Given that Tyler drives a fast vehicle and belongs to a reputable team, Tyler’s answer might have surprised Kevin Harvick. So, the #45 team driver explained by saying, “It’s quite stressful. We gotta, we gotta win.” Being an experienced racer himself, Kevin Harvick knows how much pressure racers feel when they don’t win. To lighten the stress load of the 23XI Racing driver, he shared, “It’s stressful. Winning is stressful. So you guys are in a position to do what you need to do.”

Perhaps Reddick will have to repeat this mantra in his mind since winning the upcoming race at Circuit of the Americas will now be Tyler Reddick’s primary goal. However, 23XI Racing’s new Japanese driver, Kamui Kobayashi, may turn out to be a cause for concern for the #45 team by dominating the COTA race and putting more pressure on him.

Tyler Reddick’s performance may be overshadowed at COTA

Although Reddick had a shaky road course record last season, his win at COTA was one of the best in his career. In practice, his No. 45 car was faster than the rest of the field by half a second. Moreover, with a track record of qualifying in the top five at COTA, Reddick is well-prepared to perform brilliantly once again. But his new rival and teammate, Kamui Kobayashi, who will be making his start for 23XI Racing at COTA, could create a challenge for everyone on the track.

Because of his background in the WEC and Formula 1, Reddick views Kobayashi as a formidable rival. He said, “It’s added pressure. You know, I believe in his [Kobayashi’s] ability and what I’ve seen him do in a short time in the Next Gen car. I think back to his test, and just how quickly he’s able to adapt to this car really impressed me.” While the Japanese driver is far less experienced in the NASCAR circuit in comparison to Reddick, the 28-year-old is clearly wary of Kobayashi’s ability to adapt and adjust to the new setting.

It will be revealed next weekend if Tyler Reddick will edge out all of the racers at COTA, including newcomer Kamui Kobayashi. Are you excited to see the rivalry?

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