Tyler Reddick Is Winning Races, But There’s a Catch

Tyler Reddick has had the kind of NASCAR season most drivers would love. Five wins in the first nine races, including the Daytona 500, put him in some pretty special company. After a long stretch without a win, he returned to Victory Lane at Phoenix on October 18.

But here’s something fans might not think about when they watch a driver celebrate a win. The work doesn’t necessarily end when the race is over. And sometimes, being home doesn’t mean a driver is really home. Reddick, who drives the No. 45 Toyota for 23XI Racing, opened up about that side of the business during an appearance on the Dale Jr. Download podcast.

His comments offered a glimpse into what competing at NASCAR’s highest level demands of drivers off the track.

The Work Doesn’t Stop at the Finish Line

Reddick explained that driver preparation has grown considerably in recent years. Simulator sessions, team meetings, and hours spent reviewing data and trying to understand what the car is doing are part of it. When things aren’t going well, that workload can become even more demanding. Drivers want answers, and finding them takes time.

As Reddick put it, he can be home without really feeling as though he’s home. That’s a pretty good way of describing the problem. He recently discussed his schedule with his wife, Alexa, who wanted to know where he was and when he’d finish work. Reddick told her he expected to be busy until five or six o’clock.

It’s understandable that she’d want a little more family time. The couple have two young sons, Beau and Rookie George, and NASCAR already takes drivers away from home on race weekends. Reddick acknowledged how hard it is to balance those responsibilities. He wasn’t complaining about his job, though. He knows that preparation is part of competing for wins.

For Reddick, Winning Has a Cost, Too

Here’s what I find interesting about Reddick’s comments. We tend to look at successful athletes and see the rewards: victories, celebrations, and the chance to compete for championships. What we don’t always see is the work that follows them home.

Reddick’s season is a good example. After winning five of the opening nine races, he went through a lengthy dry spell before finally breaking through at Phoenix. A late caution gave him an opportunity, and he took advantage, working his way past Chase Briscoe before holding off Ryan Blaney to win by 0.801 seconds.