NASCAR
Tyler Reddick Beats Chase Elliott at Road America for Maiden Cup Win
ELKHART LAKE, Wis. – 2022 has now seen five first-time NASCAR Cup Series winners, as Tyler Reddick is victorious at Road America. While Chase Elliott appeared to have the field beat through the first half, the 8 took command late and never looked back. After muscling his way by Elliott, Tyler Reddick took down the road course king for his first career victory. This win puts the Richard Childress Racing No. 8 into the Playoffs, as the 13th different team locked in.
Chase Elliott was lights-out dominant early from the pole. However, neither Stage win went to the 9. Elliott’s team opted to short-pit each Stage, handing the Playoff bonus points to Chase Briscoe and Ryan Blaney. Both times he came to pit though, Elliott had a large lead over second place. Heading into the final run to the checkers, the 9 appeared to be in a league of his own.
Late in Stage 2 though, second place changed hands as Tyler Reddick got by Kyle Larson. This pass would prove pivotal for the start of Stage 3, as Reddick did not let Elliott get away. Elliott did initially hold serve up front, but the final trip down pit road for both leaders tightened up the battle. Elliott would just barely get off of pit road ahead of Reddick’s 8 car, as the 9 had to throw a big block.
This is INTENSE!
Chase Elliott gets off pit road right in front of Tyler Reddick. Will this be the race for the win? #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/KYxL0h9KWH
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) July 3, 2022
Into the heavy braking zone in turn five with 17 laps left, Chase Elliott went wide. This rare mistake allowed Reddick to get alongside the 9, as the 8 made the pass in turn six. From this point onward, Reddick had to play defense in holding the seven-time road course winner behind him. Far from a perfect 17 laps, Reddick eventually drove off from Elliott, taking the win by three seconds.
TYLER REDDICK!
The @RCRracing driver gets by Chase Elliott as he searches for his first @NASCAR Cup Series win.
Less than 16 laps remaining on @USA_Network! #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/lLJZL08gaL
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) July 3, 2022
In his 92nd start, the two-time Xfinity Series champion is finally a Cup Series race winner. Tyler Reddick’s first career win comes after five runner-up results, and after giving up 91 points since the Bristol heartbreak.
“I definitely knew he was fast,” Reddick said of Elliott in the waning laps. “But we could stay with him on the long run, which told me if we cycled through that last pit sequence, we would be close or get around him. Didn’t quite get around him, but we were within reach. Thankfully just waited for the right opportunity. Was able to take advantage of it in turn six. I thought he was going to run me back down. I started to make some mistakes. Started to take care of the brakes, but I didn’t need to. We were in good shape there. What a day.”
“We had to,” Reddick said on the pressure of winning his way into the Playoffs. “What better place than Road America? I love the fans, I love this racetrack, being here on 4th of July weekend is just so special. Just a big shoutout to 3CHI, and the special paint scheme we had this weekend. Love them coming on board this year, taking a chance on a young guy like me, and we got it done!”
Road America marks the first win for Richard Childress Racing in almost two years. This also marks the first win for the number 8 since Dale Earnhardt Jr’s last triumph with DEI at Richmond in 2006. Reddick is also the fifth first-timer to win a Cup race in 2022, the most new victors since 2011. Road courses are also 3-3 in giving us a first-time winner in 2022.
Reddick’s win means there are only three open Playoff berths now, with eight races left. Ryan Blaney, Martin Truex Jr, and Christopher Bell are on the hot seats, as Kevin Harvick is the first driver out by 20 points.
Welcome to the playoff board, @TylerReddick!
Reddick becomes the 13th different winner, and fifth first-time winner in the @NASCAR Cup Series this year. pic.twitter.com/dKFWJAf7DL
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) July 3, 2022
The race to the Playoffs pushes onward next Sunday from Atlanta Motor Speedway. The Quaker State 400 offers all drivers another chance at a Playoff spot, or valuable bonus points. Coverage begins at 3:00 p.m. ET on USA Network, PRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. Now being a superspeedway, the drama will surely be pegged at the new Atlanta configuration.
Written by Peter Stratta
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Photo Credit to Richard Childress Racing via Twitter
