The Geico 500 has been my favorite race every year as a spectator and this year was no different, only I attended as a freelancer. This is not my first rodeo, however, as I’ve been in the pits and garage multiple times in 2022. But this one was different. I went to the track with one goal and one mission: to get as many interviews as I can. While I didn’t get all 38 Cup Series drivers, I did strike gold and had no idea.
On Saturday, I stumbled upon Tyler Reddick, driver of the #45 Jordan Brand Toyota Camry XSE for 23XI Racing, a team which happens to be owned by the NBA legend himself, Michael Jordan. As soon as Reddick came in the garage after qualifying, he signed autographs for his fans and proceeded to walk out after every autograph was signed. Reddick called me four years ago for my college project, which consisted of doing an interview for the school newspaper, and we’ve kept in contact via Instagram since then. He recognized me immediately, shook my hand and was nice enough to let me record him for my soft launch promotion.
The following day, Reddick was in a position to win and hold off 37 other competitors with 30 laps to go. His closest competition was the polesitter Michael McDowell was in what was essentially a car supplied by Team Penske, who owns the last two NASCAR Cup Series championships. Reddick had already come close to his first win on the season twice, at Texas and Las Vegas, was hungry. On the last lap, coming to the Tri-Oval, McDowell went to the bottom of the race track to block Brad Keselowski, and this destroyed majority of the field. Reddick was lucky enough to keep his foot on the gas and escape through the carnage, en route to his first win of the season.
Reddick was able to celebrate with his owner, Michael Jordan, who sat on top of his pit box all afternoon. Jordan frequently attends the races to support his team on, which was proven to actually be a good luck charm. Currently, 23XI Racing fields the #23 and #45, with the #23 being piloted by Bubba Wallace, Reddick’s teammate.
With Reddick’s win, he is now locked into the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs and sits 43 points behind 1st place in the championship standings, which is currently held by Kyle Larson. Reddick’s win gives him momentum heading into Dover Motor Speedway Sunday for the Wurth 400. This victory means a huge weight is off his shoulders until the NASCAR Cup Series returns to Atlanta Motor Speedway on September 8 for the playoff opener. Now his #45 team can focus on stealing more wins and grabbing as many points as possible before September rolls around.
Every Man on Every Crew 