UPDATE: After the completion of NASCAR Cup Series qualifying from Martinsville, Reddick cycled out to a 19th-place starting spot, the lowest of the eight drivers still eligible to advance to the Final Four.
Tyler Reddick will have an uphill battle to climb in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series event at Martinsville Speedway, after a spin in qualifying will relegate him to a starting spot in the middle of the field.
The 23XI Racing driver was tracking to barely eclipse Kevin Harvick, the driver on the bubble to advance to the final round of qualifying, when his No. 45 Toyota Camry TRD snapped around in the third corner.
"That's big."
Tyler Reddick will NOT advance to the next round of qualifying, and spins on his second lap. #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/v8ruRRdJKM
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 28, 2023
Luckily, Reddick was able to lightly spin his car around and avoid any significant wall contact, saving his No. 45 team from having to work overtime repairing his Toyota Camry – or having to pull out a backup car – in what is destined to be a crucial race.
The Corning, California native enters Sunday’s 500-lap contest sitting fifth in NASCAR Cup Series Playoff standings, just 10 points below the cutline, as 23XI Racing looks to advance into the Final Four for the first time in its short tenure at NASCAR’s top level.
After Group A, Reddick was scored in ninth place, meaning the absolute best-case scenario for the organization is a 14th-place starting spot – provided everybody who doesn’t advance to the final round goes slower in Group B.
Neither William Byron nor Chris Buescher – fellow post-season competitors – will advance to the final round either, meaning Reddick won’t be the only Playoff driver having to overcome a difficult starting position on Sunday.
