Tyler Reddick has been with Richard Childress Racing since signing with the team ahead of the 2019 season, and he’s under contract through 2023. But after that, it looks like he’s on the move.
23XI Racing, which was founded by NBA legend Michael Jordan, announced on Tuesday that Reddick (seen above after winning the QWIK TRIP 250 at Road America earlier this month) would be joining the team beginning in 2024. He looks to be the future teammate of Bubba Wallace there.
Always preparing for the future. The build continues…@TylerReddick – Locked in for 2024 🔐
𝙎𝙄𝙂𝙉𝙀𝘿 #TeamToyota pic.twitter.com/tycZ2aSR6g
— 23XI Racing (@23XIRacing) July 12, 2022
It’s a huge announcement in the NASCAR world. And perhaps nobody was more shocked than the team Reddick will be leaving following the 2023 season.
Shortly after 23XI’s announcement, RCR released a hilariously honest statement about Reddick’s eventual departure from the team.
“We’re proud of the success Tyler Reddick has found at Richard Childress Racing,” the statement read. “We’re focused on winning a championship in 2022 and 2023, although the timing of this announcement could not be any worse.”
— RCR (@RCRracing) July 12, 2022
Reddick said that the news “shouldn’t have been a total shock to (RCR)” and that he informed the team that he would be exploring his options for 2024 and beyond, according to Davey Segal.
💭 "This shouldn't have been a total shock to (@RCRracing)," says @TylerReddick. Mentioned he informed them that he would be exploring his options for 2024 and beyond and has all intentions of contending for a title in '22 and '23.
— Davey Segal (@DaveyCenter) July 12, 2022
That may be true, but RCR sure seemed surprised by the news. And the NASCAR world had plenty to say about the team’s brutally honest statement.
You have to appreciate the honesty. Either that or they were dictating this statement via voice to text and they thought it stopped recording after the comma in the second sentence. https://t.co/HyhaO8PuQm
— nascarcasm (@nascarcasm) July 12, 2022
I asked Tyler how he keeps today's announcement from making the next year "awkward" with RCR.
Well…..#NASCAR https://t.co/aYtbLZ68pE
— Daniel McFadin (@danielmcfadin) July 12, 2022
This is an … odd statement. #NASCAR https://t.co/arjtEyernV
— Nick DeGroot (@ndegroot89) July 12, 2022
This is the greatest sports press release of all time https://t.co/IGKMFDliey
— Shiv Ramdas Buk Riter (@nameshiv) July 12, 2022
Ooooof. Serious shade to Reddick and co. from Richard Childress Racing.
RCR is going to be hurting.#NASCAR https://t.co/OiIKn8WbVv
— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) July 12, 2022
Lmao what a statement https://t.co/7GtKeEdmIw
— Justin Leger (@justinjleger) July 12, 2022
Reddick is adamant that he plans to compete for championships with RCR in 2022 and 2023 before joining 23XI in 2024. But after this, it sure seems like that relationship is going to be a little awkward.
[RCR on Twitter; photo from Mike Dinovo/USA Today Sports]
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