Tyler Reddick grabs fifth win of NASCAR season as 23XI Racing surges with dominant early-year run
Tyler Reddick continued a blistering start to the NASCAR Cup Series season on Sunday, earning his fifth victory of the year with a dramatic last-lap pass of reigning champion Kyle Larson at Kansas Speedway.
The win marked Reddick’s fifth triumph in just nine races, a start to a season matched only a handful of times in NASCAR’s premier series and not seen since Dale Earnhardt opened the 1987 campaign with a similar surge. That year, Earnhardt went on to add six more wins and capture a championship, raising expectations for what Reddick’s current pace could mean if it continues.
Reddick, who drives for the 23XI Racing team co-owned by Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan, acknowledged the strong start but emphasized the season is still young. He noted that competition is expected to tighten as the year progresses, but credited his team for consistently maximizing race days and capitalizing on opportunities.
The early success has also given Reddick a significant points advantage under the sport’s playoff system, positioning him well ahead of much of the field as the season builds toward the postseason. He said the focus now is on maintaining consistency and building as large a cushion as possible while continuing to contend for victories.
Reddick’s success has been part of a broader surge for 23XI Racing. Teammate Bubba Wallace spent much of Sunday near the front and finished fifth, while Riley Herbst came home 14th. Corey Heim, making a limited start in the No. 67 car, also delivered a competitive performance, finishing just behind Herbst.
The organization, now in its sixth season, has shown noticeable improvement across the board. Team leadership pointed to stronger execution, improved pit stops, and refined communication as key factors behind the early-season jump in performance.
After winning three races in 2024, Reddick went winless last season while Wallace delivered the team’s only victory. That uneven performance raised questions about whether the organization had stalled after early progress. This year, however, 23XI has emerged as one of the most consistent and competitive teams in the series.
Team officials credited offseason adjustments and a renewed focus on execution for the turnaround, saying the goal was always to return to regular contention at the front of the field. Through the opening stretch of the season, that objective has been clearly met.
Reddick has also remained competitive beyond his wins, finishing strong at multiple tracks, including a fourth-place run at Bristol and additional top-10 results, while completing every race on the lead lap so far this season.
Looking ahead, the series moves to Talladega, a track where Reddick has previously found success, adding another opportunity to extend his strong start.
For team co-owner Michael Jordan, the results have been especially rewarding. He praised the organization’s collective progress and said the focus remains on continuing to build momentum as the season develops.
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