Tyler Reddick wrecks after contact with Todd Gilliland at Daytona, puts the No. 45 in reverse on pit road

With a slim points lead over Alex Bowman, Tyler Reddick cannot afford a DNF tonight. If Bowman passes him in points and a new winner occurs this evening, Reddick will be the first driver out of the NASCAR Playoffs.

The racing has been tense already tonight. Drivers know that they are racing for something meaningful tonight. Say what you will about this format, it is clear that these drivers all have the win-and-in mindset tonight. That forces everyone to increase their aggressiveness.

Tyler Reddick given huge break after wreck

Well, it turns out that Tyler Reddick is now locked into the NASCAR Playoffs. There is only one more spot up for grabs, and it is currently owned by Alex Bowman. The only issue? Bowman is out of the race.

Bowman was involved in a 12-car incident in Stage 1. While his team tried to get the 48 car repaired and back on the track, they were unable to. Bowman was the only driver mathematically capable of passing Reddick in points. Now, he’s out of the race. Reddick is still going.

A huge sigh of relief for the 45 team. They can now focus on working their way back up through the field and making moves back to the front. Tyler Reddick is going to be in a damaged car from here on out, but at Daytona, anything can happen.

Tonight’s race is going to have more chaos before it gets calmer. Drivers tonight have been on edge. They are dancing on the line. We have seen drivers make mistakes already, but there is a lot more racing left to go. A moment can change everything, and change the NASCAR Playoffs.