In an electrifying finish at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Tyler Reddick secured his first-ever NASCAR Cup Series Championship-4 berth with a stunning third-to-first charge on the final lap. Starting from pole, the 23XI Racing driver dominated much of the race, winning the first stage and leading a race-high 97 laps. Yet it was his final push, passing Ryan Blaney on the outside in Turns 3 and 4, that sealed his dramatic victory and ticket to the championship showdown.
Reddick’s final lap began with him passing his team owner and race leader, Denny Hamlin, for second place, before making the decisive pass on Blaney in the last corner. “We were backed in a corner, man; we had no other choice,” Reddick said. “Here at Homestead, being on a tire deficit is a death sentence, but I didn’t care. We did what it took to win, and now we’re fighting for a championship.”
Blaney, who finished second after leading into the white flag, expressed his disappointment over the lost win. “I had a great shot to win but didn’t have a very good last lap,” he admitted. “I thought I got into Turn 3 hard, but Reddick just blitzed it up there and it stuck for him. It definitely stinks, but we still have a shot at Phoenix.”
Hamlin, who won the second stage, led the race with just two laps to go but finished third. Reflecting on his missed opportunity, Hamlin cited short-run speed issues as the reason he couldn’t hold off Blaney and Reddick in the closing laps.
The thrilling race saw 33 lead changes among 11 drivers and six caution flags, including a late-race spin by Kyle Larson while battling for the lead. The incident set up the final seven-lap sprint, with Hamlin initially taking the lead on the restart but eventually losing out to Blaney and Reddick.
Reddick’s drive to the Championship-4 left 23XI Racing co-owner Michael Jordan beaming with pride. “He just let go, he just went for it, and I’m glad,” Jordan said. “We needed it.”
The final elimination race at Martinsville Speedway will determine who joins Reddick and Las Vegas winner Joey Logano in the Championship-4. Currently outside the transfer spots are Larson (-7 points), Hamlin (-18), Blaney (-38), and Elliott (-43), each now facing a must-win scenario to advance.
As Reddick celebrates his breakthrough season, the NASCAR Cup Series heads to Martinsville with intense playoff drama and the stakes higher than ever for those vying for a place in the championship finale.
