Tyler Reddick Steals the Win at Talladega

It started with one too many blocks by Michael McDowell, who was leading on the final lap, followed by a multi-car pileup coming to the checkered flag. When the dust settled, it was 23XI Racing’s Tyler Reddick pulling away with the win for the sixth win of his career.

Reddick climbed the fence, pumping his fists in celebration after the race, as his co-boss and NBA legend Michael Jordan celebrated at his pit stall. Reddick’s young son Beau was taken in Jordan’s arms, with nothing but smiles all around. This was the first time Jordan had been at the track when his team won a race.

“Man, it’s incredible,” said Reddick, who led 13 laps on the afternoon. “Everyone on this 45 Toyota Camry worked really hard today. Didn’t really work out in that third stage for us, but we were able to fight and defend our track position.”

“Was that crazy guys?” he yelled toward the cheering grandstands. “A lot of chaos. That’s Talladega for you.”

McDowell, who won the 2021 Daytona 500, said he was anticipating a big run from the high line, but later conceded that he made a late block. He pulled down the track to block the No. 6 of Brad Keselowski, who was chasing his first win in three years when he lost control and wrecked. McDowell apologized to Keselowski for essentially costing the 2012 Champion a win with the move. Ford is still left looking for their first win of 2024. 

“We did a good job keeping those Mustang Dark Horses up front,” said McDowell, who led a race-high of 36 laps. “He [Brad Keselowski] did everything right. He pushed me. I was able to get in front of him the first time, but when I came back down, I barely wasn’t clear. I’ll have to watch the replay. I hate it. I hate it we didn’t make it to the finish line. We had such a fast Mustang today. … just came up short and took a lot of guys out and I apologize.”

Despite the chaos at the end, for the first time since NASCAR instituted stage racing in 2017, there were no caution periods through the opening two stages (other than the scheduled stage breaks).

Ford looked strong as McDowell started from the pole and even won both stages with Austin Cindric (Stage One) and Joey Logano (Stage Two). McDowell and Tyler Reddick would swap the lead 10 times in the final 27 laps, as the GEICO 500 had 23 race leaders and 73 lead changes, one of which included Shane van Gisbergen leading his first Cup laps on an oval. 

23XI co-owner Denny Hamlin jokingly told Michael Jordan he was bad luck whenever he was at the track, but Jordan was glad that was proven wrong.

“The whole team did a good job,” Jordan said. “I’m very happy to be here to see it. Everybody always tells me when we win we have a good celebration, but this is the first time I’ve been here for a win.”

“As you know this is NBA playoffs right now and to me, this is like an NBA playoff game. I am so ecstatic for the fans who support the sport itself. You know we’ve been working hard trying to get ourselves to compete against all the top guys in this sport. And we’ve done a heckuva job just to be where we are and for us to win and win a big race like this, it means so much to me and the effort the team has put in.”

“I’m all in. It replaces a lot of competitiveness I had in basketball, but this is even worse because I have no control. If I was playing basketball, I’d have total control, but I have no control and live vicariously through the drivers and crew chiefs. I’m very happy for 23 XI — 110 percent.”

Noah Gragson finished a career-best third, while 2023 Daytona 500 winner Ricky Stenhouse Jr. finished fourth, and Alex Bowman finished fifth. Anthony Alfredo, who led four laps, finished a career-best sixth place for Beard Motorsports, while William Byron, Todd Gilliland, Rick Ware Racing’s Justin Haley, and Harrison Burton finished out the top ten. Despite the 20th-place finish, Kyle Larson still leads the points standings over Martin Truex Jr. by 16 points.

The NASCAR Cup Series takes on the Monster Mile of Dover Motor Speedway next, as the Würth 400 will be Sunday, April 28th at 2 pm EST.