Tyler Reddick is going to compete for the Cup Series championship for the first time in his career after a wild end at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
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Reddick went from third to first on the final lap of Sunday's race, passing both Denny Hamlin and Ryan Blaney in the process. The pass of Blaney, in particular, featured Reddick flying past the Team Penske driver on the outside in the final turn.
The reigning Cup Series champion had no defense as Reddick cruised past and took the lead coming out of Turn 4.
Blaney had to settle for second while Reddick celebrated his eighth career win. Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell, and Chase Elliott rounded out the top five.
MORE: Reddick locks up Championship 4 berth, full results
WHAT A BATTLE! Tyler Reddick gets around Denny Hamlin and Ryan Blaney to WIN at Homestead-Miami Speedway. He's in the Championship 4! #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/v53HBqQHkp
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) October 27, 2024
"Oh, man, he just let go," NBA icon and 23XI Racing co-owner Michael Jordan told NBC Sports. "He just went for it and I'm glad. We needed it. We needed it."
This Game 7 moment was made possible by a bold gamble by 23XI Racing crew chief Billy Scott. He kept Reddick out on the track while the rest of the drivers in the field made their green flag pit stops.
The hope was to get that Hail Mary caution that would give them track position.
The gamble paid off, but not how the No. 45 team expected. Reddick headed down pit road with 16 laps remaining and gave up his lead. It appeared that he would be out of contention for the win, but the caution flew as he exited pit road.
Fellow championship contender Kyle Larson had tried to go three-wide between Blaney and Austin Dillon, who was one lap down. Larson made contact with Blaney and then tagged Dillon before spinning down toward the infield grass.
This caution sent the leaders down pit road for fresh tires. Reddick, however, moved from 22nd place to first place.
The restart did not go as Reddick planned. He fell to third as Hamlin and Blaney both passed him. These two battled each other while the 23XI Racing driver regrouped and began to chase them back down.
Blaney moved past Hamlin with two laps remaining and took the white flag as the leader. It appeared that he would go on to win his way back into the Championship 4, but he could not hold off Reddick's stunning move.
That's one happy boss. pic.twitter.com/gndoIQPTzm
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) October 27, 2024
"We were backed in a corner, man," Reddick said. "We had no other choice. I know we were on tire deficit.
"Here at Homestead-Miami Speedway, that's a death sentence. I don't care. We did what it took to win this race. We're fighting for a championship."
