Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing ink Tyler Reddick to deal starting in 2024
Michael Jordan and 23XI Racing made waves in the NASCAR world on Tuesday, inking rising star Tyler Reddick to a deal starting in 2024.
The great Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports took the news to Twitter, which began a firestorm of hot takes.
“23XI Racing has signed Tyler Reddick starting in 2024,” tweeted Pockrass.
Currently, 23XI Racing is a two-car team with Bubba Wallace driving the No. 23 Toyota, while veteran Kurt Busch mans the No. 45 Toyota. Reddick’s car for 2024 is unknown at the moment, as Pockrass added in some later tweets.
“23XI Racing’s Steve Lauletta says their current lineup is set for 2023 and what happens in 2024 is TBD as far as number of cars,” tweeted Pockrass. “.. Lauletta reiterated that both Bubba Wallace and Kurt Busch will be back in 2023. Wouldn’t say if their deals end in 2023.
“TBD if Reddick will be in a third car or the 23 or 45 in 2024.”
Moreover, Reddick’s star has been turning throughout the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season, as the driver of the No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet secured his first win of his career earlier this month. Prior to his stint in the Cup Series, Reddick won two championships in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
With plenty of time between now and the 2024 season, there will be some awkward conversations between Reddick and his current team. To illustrate, the statement Richard Childress Racing put out regarding the breaking news is interesting in itself, as the disappointment is evident.
“We’re proud of the success that Tyler Reddick has found at Richard Childress Racing,” tweeted the NASCAR team. “We’re focused on winning a championship in 2022 and 2023, although the timing of this announcement could not be any worse.”
However, Reddick believes announcing the move now was the only way to go, as he told Pockrass it’s easier to rip the band-aid off.
“Tyler Reddick said it is better to say this now since they had signed the deal and Reddick said better to say it now than during the playoffs,” added Pockrass.
Nevertheless, 23XI Racing and Michael Jordan signed one of the brightest young drivers in NASCAR on Tuesday. While the team has gotten off to a rocky start during their time in NASCAR, Tyler Reddick could be the driver that brings them unparalleled success throughout his career.