NASCAR News: Reddick rides high line to Homestead Cup victory

A clutch last-lap pass following a late-race restart saw polesitter Tyler Reddick clinch a Championship 4 berth with his NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs victory at Homestead-Miami Speedway Sunday evening.

It came as it so often does for Reddick on the high line, with the driver of the No. 45 23XI Toyota putting his car inches away from the wall to sweep past Blaney in the final corners.

Blaney, the defending NASCAR Cup Series champion, finished runner-up. Denny Hamlin – who held the lead until the final frenzy – was third, followed by Christopher Bell and Chase Elliott. William Byron, Alex Bowman, AJ Allmendinger, Carson Hocevar and Ryan Preece completed the top 10.

The win set off a jubilant celebration both inside the car and in the team’s pit box. Although he started from the Busch Light Pole, Reddick needed a bit of strategy to be in position for the win. Crew chief Billy Scott ran the No. 45 until the very end of the final long run hoping for caution. It came just after Reddick pitted for fresh tires, when Kyle Larson spun out making a move for the lead.

“We were backed in a corner, man,” Reddick said after emerging from his car. “We had no other choice. I know we were on tire deficit. Here at Homestead-Miami Speedway, that’s a death sentence. We did what it took to win this race. We’re fighting for a championship.”

Kyle Larson, who suffered a blown Goodyear tire in Stage 1 and spun out during the final stage’s waning portions, finished 13th. It puts the driver of the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet seven points below the elimination line, unofficially, heading into the Round of 8 finale next weekend.

Joey Logano, who clinched his Championship 4 victory last weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and started at the rear, finished 28th.

The Round of 8 will conclude next Sunday at Martinsville Speedway.

2024 Homestead-Miami NASCAR Cup Race Results