Tyler Reddick is heading to 23XI Racing in 2024.
And while the Cup Series’ newest winner is secure with his current team at Richard Childress Racing through the 2023 season, Reddick’s eventual departure makes for a potentially awkward situation.
MORE: Reddick joins 23XI Racing, Toyota in 2024 | Silly Season updates
Reddick’s rookie contract, which began in 2020 under his first full-time season of Cup racing, was scheduled to end after 2022, but RCR held the option to retain him for 2023. RCR has picked up that option, keeping Reddick behind the wheel of the No. 8 Chevrolet through November 2023.
But the team’s statement after news of Reddick’s plans past 2023 signaled displeasure.
https://twitter.com/RCRracing/status/1546893133325242369?s=20&t=bOOsZ1IEFiF9FRQdgKIFTQ
Reddick explained in his Tuesday availability that discussions had taken place between him and RCR for some time ahead of this move, most importantly to secure the plans for 2023. But any time beyond that remained foggy.
“We had talked about 2023 and they were going to fulfill their option a while ago, and it was kind of a done deal,” Reddick said. “It getting brought back up at Road America was a bit surprising because it had been in place. But obviously with the news today, we know where I’m going to be in 2024 and on. And I wouldn’t say this was quite … it shouldn’t have been a total shock to RCR.
“As we were navigating what the future would look like a while ago, we said that after the option was up in ’23, we were not sure a while ago if we were going to return and we were going to figure out what lied ahead. So this shouldn’t have been a true shock to them. But it’s out there and everyone has the information now. And now we all will collectively figure out we do going from here.”
Despite Reddick confirming he would leave RCR – and the team’s ensuing statement surrounding the poor timing of the announcement – Reddick praised the group for what they’ve accomplished together, which includes winning the 2019 Xfinity Series championship.
“My biggest thing with RCR is I got my first opportunity in a Cup car with Richard and that team, and it’s been great to grow with them,” Reddick said. “And for me, it was really important to finish what I’d started there, see it through to its end. And like I said, they’ve given me so many opportunities — opportunities to win, opportunities to be a two-time Xfinity champion, given me the door to get into the Cup Series — and I’m extremely grateful for that and will continue to be.
“And then expanding on that, that is why I wanted to see what I agreed to do with RCR to the end and continue to compete as hard as I can for them and against (23XI Racing team owner) Denny (Hamlin) and 23XI until then.”
Hamlin, a competitor for Joe Gibbs Racing in addition to his team ownership role, believes announcing this signing early is a benefit for all parties.
“This allows us to get it out there (and) stop speculation,” Hamlin said. “I’m sure from this point to the end, Tyler is going to get asked about 2024. It just stops speculation. He doesn’t have to tap dance around anything. And then allows us to formally announce it today and then when we get to the race track this weekend, we part ways and I’ll see you in a year and a half.
“And that kind of allows us to, like (23XI Racing President) Steve (Lauletta) said, work on all the things it’s gonna take to field a race car for (Reddick). And so it gives us plenty of time, plenty of leeway. And it also allows Tyler to do his team right in fulfilling his obligations to Richard (Childress) … and that whole group there and his team. It gives them a long enough runway that now they can kind of work on their future as well.”
This isn’t exactly new territory for Reddick in making a big move. His first Xfinity Series championship in 2018 followed the news he was not returning to JR Motorsports in 2019, departing instead for Richard Childress Racing.
https://twitter.com/DaleJr/status/1546906570570829824?s=20&t=bOOsZ1IEFiF9FRQdgKIFTQ
Reddick hammered that belief home, eager to voice that he owes it to Richard Childress Racing to put his best foot forward in their Chevrolets until he leaves for Toyota.
“For me, nothing changes. My commitment to the team is as strong as it has ever been,” he said. “I’d almost argue that now that I know the window that I have with them has an end, I feel like I have even more pressure on myself to give them everything I have with the time that we have left and that lies ahead. We have two opportunities to go out and have great years. We have the rest of this year. We have next year. For me, nothing changes. I’m going to keep giving RCR everything I have. It’s just good to know what lies ahead for 2024 and on.