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NASCAR driver Tyler Reddick is enjoying the kind of hot streak in the Cup Series that Michael Jordan once had during his playing days.
Oh, you can bet the NBA Hall of Famer likes this one too.
Reddick passed Kyle Larson on the final lap of overtime to win at Kansas Speedway on Sunday, becoming the fourth driver to win five of the first nine races in NASCAR’s top series in a season. Chase Briscoe finished third while Denny Hamlin, co-owner of 23XI Racing with Jordan, had to watch from fourth as his driver once again reached victory lane.
“This kid is on fire. I don’t know what to say. I don’t think I can calm him down,” Jordan said. “When you win, it’s always fun, and right now, it’s fun for everyone at 23XI. Being here and being able to see all the wins, I’m so happy for the team.”
All four 23XI cars finished in the top 15 on a record day for the team.
“I have to deliver for the boss,” Reddick said of Jordan. “If he wants to come with us, we have to do voice-overs for him.”
Sunday’s race was run without caution except for stage breaks until Cody Ware spun as the white flag was about to fly.
Hamlin was leading at that point, and it looked like he was about to win his record fifth race at Kansas. Instead, all the leaders had to pit, and even though Hamlin beat Reddick out of the pits, the field was regrouped for the overtime restart.
Larson, trying to end a 32-race winless streak, lined up behind Hamlin on the inside, and he took the lead when the green flag flew. Chaos ensued behind them as Christopher Bell bounced off Reddick and Hamlin and the No. 5 car began to pull away.
However, Reddick came running on the final lap and he followed Larson as they rounded the final turns. The No. 45 took the lead as the checkered flag flew, and Jordan began pumping his fist in the pits in celebration.
The last driver to win five of the first nine Cup Series races was Dale Earnhardt in 1987.
“I’m really happy with the late caution,” Reddick said. “Was that crazy or something? I couldn’t believe it.”
Hamlin was happy that Reddick won again. But it came at his expense, and he was decidedly unhappy about it. Asked about his frustration level, Hamlin said: “Obviously, it’s not winning. It’s Cody Ware, six laps down, destroying. I don’t know. Add it up.”
Larson, the defending race winner, said his car’s balance was off after blowing two tires at the final stop, leaving him on the podium for the third time without a win this season. Briscoe and Hamlin were followed by another 23XI driver, Bubba Wallace.
“It was good execution for the recovery there,” Larson said. “I came in first and thought I could sail all the way to the checkerboard.”
Except Reddick is the only one doing that these days. Even if he doesn’t win, his Toyota is in the lead. He finished fourth last week at Bristol and has been in the top 15 in every start this season.
It’s a key reason why Toyota is the first manufacturer since Chevrolet in 2007 to win seven of the first nine races of a season.
“I just think the whole team has been really ready all year,” 23XI President Steve Lauletta said. “This isn’t the first time we’ve faced some sort of adversity, and they continued to stay calm, stay grounded and know that we have a fast car. And if you have a fast car, all you have to do is make sure you execute, and that’s what they were able to do.”
Associated Press reporting.
