Tyler Reddick wins NASCAR regular-season championship

NASCAR Cup Series driver Tyler Reddick (45) and his family and crew pose for a photo after winning the regular season championship after the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Tyler Reddick delivers gutsy performance at Darlington to win NASCAR regular-season championship

By Samuel Stubbs | Last updated Sep 1, 2024 11:42 PM ET

As if racing at the famed Darlington Raceway wasn't tough enough, Tyler Reddick had another factor potentially blocking his path to the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series regular-season championship on Sunday evening.

A stomach bug plagued the 28-year-old throughout the Southern 500, but despite the adverse conditions inside the No. 45 Toyota Camry, Reddick forged on to a 10th-place finish.

If a top-10 effort at NASCAR's toughest track didn't settle Reddick's stomach, the shine of the regular-season championship trophy might. Reddick won the regular-season title by just one point over Kyle Larson, who entered Sunday's race 17 points behind Reddick in second place.

Reddick's health wasn't too bad when the green flag flew, but as Stage 1 progressed, his condition seemed to worsen inside a car reaching temperatures of over 120 degrees.

Tyler Reddick asks the team if he can get some plain crackers or bread during his next pit stop.
— Jordan Bianchi (@Jordan_Bianchi) September 1, 2024

The less-than-favorable circumstances didn't faze Reddick's on-track performance, however, as the No. 45 seemed to get better as the stage went on. A fourth-place finish in Stage One gave Reddick seven valuable stage points, all of which were the difference in the No. 45 winning the regular-season title.

Reddick told to drink all of the fluid (with medicine) he was given.
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) September 1, 2024

Stage 2 saw Reddick earn three more stage points, and while the handling on the No. 45 car slipped in Stage 3, four fresh tires with 21 laps to go gave Reddick some life, as he drove his way into the top 10.

While Chase Briscoe and Kyle Busch battled for the win, Reddick quietly brought home the No. 45 Camry in 10th place, putting forth a strong enough effort to win the regular-season championship and earn the 15 valuable playoff points that come with it.

After an incredible summer stretch, Reddick should absolutely be considered a championship threat. The No. 45 team should be all smiles after Darlington — save for the interior mechanic, who has a rough week at work awaiting him.

Samuel Stubbs

Hailing from the same neck of the woods as NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin, Samuel has been covering NASCAR for Yardbarker since February 2024. He has been a member of the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) since October of 2024. When he’s not writing about racing, Samuel covers Arkansas Razorback basketball for Yardbarker

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