Tyler Reddick is heading into Martinsville Speedway determined and with something to prove. He hasn’t enjoyed much success at the track in the past, but this time, Reddick is turning to his 23XI Racing teammates for help.
Tyler Reddick Marks Support From Key NASCAR Cup Drivers in Martinsville Struggles
Reddick openly admits his struggles at Martinsville and is seeking guidance from Denny Hamlin and Bubba Wallace, hoping to turn frustration into success.
In 10 Cup Series races at Martinsville, Reddick has only scored two top 10s, with five finishes outside the top 20. Hamlin, meanwhile, has five NASCAR Cup wins at the track, and although Wallace hasn’t won a Cup race at Martinsville, he does have two Truck Series victories there.
Reddick knows he has ground to make up at Martinsville but believes his teammates’ advice can help him handle the tight turns and relentless pace.
Before Sunday’s race at Martinsville, analyst Peter Stratta asked Reddick, “Denny and Bubba have said how much you’ve helped them on road courses. Is it kind of the opposite here? They’re helping you learn this place better?”
Reddick has been a clear leader on road courses for 23XI, with three wins and a solid 12.0 average finish. But when it comes to short tracks, he’s leaning on his teammates’ advice — especially since Wallace has a Truck Series win at a short track, something Reddick is still chasing.
“I mean, they’ve definitely had a lot of success here,” Reddick answered. “I know Bubba really wants to win here, but I mean, Denny’s success, Bubba’s speed. They’ve definitely helped me understand some of the things that should just make sense but haven’t in the past.
“I think where I’m at now, their advice always is helpful, but I need to go out there and find the feel, find the understanding — you know, where it should all be in a race car. You have to get to that point where it starts to make sense every single lap, and at times, I feel like that’s been the case.”
With Hamlin’s experience, Wallace’s determination, and a strong team behind him, Reddick has the tools he needs. He showed some promise in April 2023, with top-five stage finishes and a sixth-place qualifying run. Yet, he still ended up finishing 22nd.
Looking at the stats, Reddick has a 17.8 average finish in 10 Martinsville Cup races. Wallace averages 17.2 in 13 starts, and Hamlin holds an 11.0 average over 38 races, along with his five wins. Like Wallace, Reddick had better runs at Martinsville in older car models — the Next Gen car has been more of a challenge.
“You know, when I ran a truck here, I felt like it was pretty close to where you need to be to run good,” Reddick said. “When we ran the Gen 6 Cup car here, I felt like I was, you know, a race or two away from kind of understanding.
“The Next Gen car here was quite a bit different than what the Cup or Truck racing was like for me here, so it’s just taking time to understand that. I think we’re close to it, but it certainly is more frustrating to come here and not really perform up to the level that I feel like this car is capable of.”
