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Tyler Reddick sounds off on 23XI cars being in 'must-win' position heading into Kansas playoff race

Brian Jones Profile Picby: Brian Jones09/24/25brianjones_93
Tyler Reddick (8)
Sep 21, 2025; Loudon, New Hampshire, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Tyler Reddick (45) races in the Mobil 1 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Tyler Reddick knows that the cars from 23XI Racing have to perform well at Kansas on Sunday to stay in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. While appearing on the Door Bumper Clear podcast, Reddick was asked if the 23XI cars are in a must-win position at Kansas.

“Are both of them? I don’t know if we both are, but I think it’s very possible that leaving Kansas, one of us will be,” Tyler Reddick said about himself and his teammate Bubba Wallace. “For one to have a good day and close the gap, the other can’t have as good a day.

“I feel like we typically perform pretty well, right? But man, it’s a tough hole. We were able to eliminate a 20-point gap pretty easily in the Round of 16. In the Round of 12, it gets harder. I don’t know.”

Reddick and Wallace need to have strong showings at Kansas, as they are at the bottom of the playoff standings. Reddick is 23 points under the cut line, and Wallace is under by 27 points.

Tyler Reddick reacts to tough finish at New Hampshire

The 23XI drivers had a rough performance at New Hampshire, which is why they are in a “must-win” position heading into Kansas. Reddick finished 21st in the race, and Wallace recorded a P26 finish.

After the race, Reddick shared his reaction to a tough finish. “I didn’t expect that; that’s for sure. The way the race started I thought we were going to be able to run in the top 10 all day, but between the brake issues we had, and it just got away quick,” he said, per NBC Sports. “The balance went away, and then next thing you know, we were trying to battle for 20th. Just a terrible day. Yeah, there’s just a lot of question marks, honestly. Places we have had speed at, we don’t bring speed. That’s been one of them for us. Yeah, we need something special to happen. I’m hoping we find the answer.”

Reddick has yet to win a race this season and clinched a spot in the playoffs due to having enough Cup points. Wallace secured a spot after winning the Brickyard 400 in July.