[autotag]Tyler Reddick[/autotag] enters Homestead-Miami Speedway with a 16-point deficit to the playoff cut-line and the stakes are incredibly high. Reddick has seen a lot of success at Homestead over the years, including two title-clinching wins in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Also, the 23XI Racing driver has two top-4 finishes in only three starts during his time in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Reddick faces a very clear situation. This weekend’s race at Homestead needs to be maximized if he wants a shot at making the Championship 4. With a 16-point gap and Martinsville Speedway ahead, there needs to be significant ground made up on Sunday. This is due to Reddick’s lackluster past at Martinsville in the Cup Series.
Reddick has made seven starts at Martinsville and only has one top-15 finish, which was eighth place in 2021. However, the driver of the No. 45 car did earn 15 stage points at his first Martinsville race with 23XI Racing in 2023. Could this be an outlier or is Reddick truly improving at the race track? Quite frankly, he can’t take a chance on the latter.
WHAT A RUN TO THE FINISH. Repost to congratulate Tyler Reddick on his WIN at Kansas! pic.twitter.com/Bd4PHV10xQ
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) September 10, 2023
If Homestead does not go Reddick’s way, the past suggests that it will be very difficult for him to make the Championship 4. Las Vegas was supposed to be a strong weekend for him too and that did not translate to the race track. This weekend’s race at Homestead needs to be a different story and it can’t result in the 35th-place finish that he earned after an accident last year.
It is impossible to say that one race can determine Reddick’s fate with two left in the Round of 8. However, the 23XI Racing driver has to maximize the opportunity ahead or he will be going to one of his worst race tracks on the schedule with a lot to overcome.
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