There were multiple restarts and some hard battles, but in the end, Tyler Reddick came out on top at the Circuit of the America's to snag his first win of the 2023 season on Sunday
The young driver was the winningest driver on road courses in the debut of the Next-Gen car in 2022, but that was when he raced for Richard Childress in the number eight car (which Kyle Busch has taken over) in a Chevrolet. This year, he is racing for 23IX racing in a Toyota. 23IX, not having much luck at road courses, no guarantees were made on Reddick's success to continue.
Reddick led the most laps of any other driver during Sunday’s race –- a total of 41 out of the 71 laps that were run. In the six road course races in 2022, Toyota had combined to lead just 23 circuits – 17 of which were from Christopher Bell at Indianapolis, and another two were gained when he won at the Charlotte Roval last year.
Reddick told FOX Sports while in victory lane after the race,
“This whole 23XI team has been working so hard all winter long to make the road course program better.” He continued by saying, “was extremely motivated to come in here and prove that performance, too. Just so proud of this Monster Energy Toyota Camry TRD. Toyota, everybody, all the resources they’ve been putting into this to help turn around the road course program means a lot.”
Reddick’s success at COTA will more than likely put the field on high alert for the next five road course races on the schedule.
Highlights from Sunday's race.
Kurt Busch gets emotional in the booth during Reddick's win
Broadcasters typically need to treat every person in the sport they are broadcasting with equal respect, but sometimes it doesn’t hurt to break character due to multiple reasons; even emotional reasons, especially after the year that Kurt Busch has had.
As we all know, Kurt Busch suffered a concussion at Pocono during qualifying in July of 2022, which led to multiple safety concerns with the Next-Gen car, and as a result, he has not stepped back into a car and raced, but has made multiple appearances since the incident. He continues to continue his recovery as Tyler Reddick drives the #45 23IX racing Toyota Camry for the 2023 season.
Busch 23IX to bring a veteran presence to the newly formed organization. Even though he’s not out on the asphalt racing, he’s becoming a team leader and has a leadership role within the organization.
Busch joined the boys in the FOX Booth for Sunday’s race, and when Reddick pulled away to eventually win the race, Busch choked up with emotion.
A few people posted about it on Twitter.
I didn't have time to digest this during all the OTs, but just now taking a moment to reflect on the tone Kurt Busch took seeing his car dominate and going to Victory Lane because you could feel deep in your soul how much he wants to be out there still.
— Matt Weaver (@MattWeaverRA) March 26, 2023
The emotion in @KurtBusch’s voice calling the final laps as the 45 got it done was pretty powerful stuff. ??
— Ross Wece (@RossWece) March 26, 2023
Love the emotion, @KurtBusch! Like I told you in Fontana Vic Lane, love watching your contributions to the sport continue as they are!! ? And yes, the 45 is indeed in good hands!! Massive win, @TylerReddick!!!!! ? #NASCARatCOTA #NASCAR75
— Crash Gladys (@CrashGladys) March 26, 2023
Busch could get back in the car and race, his recovery has many people questioning if he will. But there are no indications if he will or not. Reddick had controlled the race, leading half the event. After suffering through multiple overtime events, Reddick pulled through and won his first race with 23IX.
Sources of information
Sturniolo, Zach. “Analysis: Tyler Reddick carries road-course prowess to Toyota.” NASCAR.com, 27 March 2023, https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2023/03/26/reddick-carries-road-course-success-to-toyota/. Accessed 27 March 2023.
Bupp, Phillip. “Kurt Busch gets emotional in Fox NASCAR booth as his former car wins Cup race.” Awful Announcing, 27 March 2023, https://awfulannouncing.com/racing/kurt-busch-tyler-reddick-45-win.html. Accessed 27 March 2023.
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