NASCAR
Tyler Reddick Wins Homestead After Remarkable Last Lap Recovery
HOMESTEAD, Fla. – On his roof a week ago, Tyler Reddick is king of the hill in Homestead. 23XI Racing’s No. 45 Toyota was in the wind for a race-high 98 laps, but their win was not guaranteed until the final moments. Losing the lead on a late restart, Reddick put together a season-defining drive for a last-lap pass. Reddick is now a lock for his first Championship 4 appearance, trying to win the Bill France Cup for 23XI Racing.
From the pole, Tyler Reddick was unbeaten in Stage 1. While he was chasing down Kyle Larson, the No. 5 did suffer a flat tire and make wall contact. This set the Hendrick driver on his back foot for the rest of the day, Larson would rebound into contention by Stage 3, however.
Stage 2 would see Denny Hamlin win with seven-lap fresher tires getting by Chase Elliott late.
The Playoff cream rose to the top in Stage 3, with Chase Elliott, Christopher Bell, and Ryan Blaney all spending time out front. Trying to use the same strategy that won Stage 2, Hamlin’s team opted to pit eight laps later for their final set of fresh tires. The No. 11 quickly made up ground carving through the field.
Hamlin’s march to the front would only be assisted by Kyle Larson. The No. 5 spun going for the lead inside the final 20 laps, allowing everyone a shot at the win.
Larson’s spin came two laps after Tyler Reddick was the last driver to pit under green. On slightly worn tires, Reddick restarted as the leader with seven laps left but soon got swallowed up in a four-wide dogfight.
The lead and apparent Championship 4 ticket initially went to Hamlin’s favor, with the 11 setting sail for victory lane. Ryan Blaney caught and passed Hamlin with two laps left though. Blaney’s seemingly clutch win would be spoiled within the last mile; Tyler Reddick motored around the outside in turn three and stole this race at the buzzer.
“We were backed in a corner, man,” Reddick said. “We had no other choice. I know we were on tire deficit. Here at Homestead-Miami Speedway, that’s a death sentence. I don’t care. We did what it took to win this race. We’re fighting for a championship.”
“IÂ couldn’t believe it. I just knew I needed to get to even with him on his right side door. Didn’t care what he did. He raced me clean. I appreciate it.”
“Just really, really excited that we’re going to get to have a shot at this championship.”
“We thankfully can take off for Martinsville a little bit, get ready for Phoenix. But we’re pumped.”
Reddick, Blaney, and Hamlin were closely followed by fellow Playoff contenders Christopher Bell and Chase Elliott at the finish. William Byron, Alex Bowman, AJ Allmendinger, Carson Hocevar, and Ryan Preece rounded out the top-10.
Regular season champion Tyler Reddick joins Joey Logano as locks for the Championship 4 in Phoenix. Take a look below at the remaining six drivers’ Playoff point totals heading into the pivotal elimination race.
It all comes down to 500 laps at Martinsville to set the Championship 4. The Xfinity 500 green flag will fly Sunday at 2 p.m. ET on NBC, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Martinsville has delivered countless memorable moments and determined drives over the years. 2024 has plenty at stake with six drivers gunning for the last two finale spots.
Written by Peter Stratta
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Photo Credit to James Gilbert/Getty Images
