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Tyler Reddick claims destroying Kevin Harvick’s car made him become the best road course racers in NASCAR

Originally posted on FirstSportz | By Justin P Joy | Last updated 3/22/24

23XI Racing Tyler Reddick is considered by many to be the best Road Course racer in the NASCAR Cup Series alongside the likes of Chase Elliott. Three of his five Cup race win has came in road course events and his first two race wins were on similar tracks. He is now set to tackle his first RC race on the 2024 season at COTA this Sunday.

Ahead of the race weekend, Tyler Reddick sat down with 2014 NASCAR Cup champion Kevin Harvick in his happy hour podcast and detailed how the ex-SHR driver is the reason behind his superior RC racing prowess. The Toyota driver recalled an incident from 2020 ROVAL race where his late breaking caused a race ending incident with Harvick while racing at P30. He was so disappointed, he decided never to be in such position ever again.

You’re, you had some sort of issue you’re trying to come back through the field, and I’m just lost out there trying to go in the backstretch chicane. And I think I’m at the braking zone, right, and I brake so early you a**-packed me I think it destroyed your radiator. It destroyed your race car, right? I’m back here running 30th just in everybody’s way. Reddick said via Happy Hour podcast.

Going into COTA, where he won his amide race for 23XI in the 2023 season, Reddick would be hoping to bank on his abilities and land a layoff rewarding win. He would’ve multiple challengers to outrace including Toyota teammate Ty Gibbs who is a hot streak so far this season and is in a desperate search for a win.

New 23XI driver Kamui Kobayashi is putting pressure on Tyler Reddick

The 23XI Racing team in fielding a third car at COTA. Former F1 driver and Sports Car racing legend, Kamui Kobayashi, who races for Toyota in the WRC, is set to drive for the team. Reddick is feeling pressure from the veteran as his RC race prowess and ability to quickly adjust to the Next-Gen car is pretty impressive according to him.

It’s added pressure. You know, I believe in his ability and what I’ve seen him do in a short time in the Next Gen car. I think back to his test, and just how quickly he’s able to adapt to this car really impressed me. I know for him, Indy didn’t go well, certainly not as well as he wanted it to. Reddick said.

It will be the second ever Cup race for Kobayashi in NASCAR. He made his debut last year at Indy and didn’t had the best result as he was caught off-guard by the aggressive style of racing at Brickyard. But he is now more prepared to tackle those challenges.

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

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