Tyler Reddick furious after NASCAR throws caution for Martin Truex Jr. in closing laps: 'Is this a f***ing joke?'

Tyler Reddick was furious after NASCAR threw a caution for Martin Truex Jr. hitting the wall in closing laps on the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway.

The No. 45 wheelman had a sizable lead, and looked headed to a guaranteed victory on Monday. However, Truex Jr.’s contact with the wall threw a wrench into everything, and now Reddick is preparing for overtime.

Check out his reaction below, which was caught by the NBC Sports broadcast on USA Network. To say Reddick was fuming about the yellow flag would be putting it lightly.

Tyler Reddick is displeased, to say the least. #NASCAR

📺 : USA Network pic.twitter.com/QCXNICWsNS

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) August 19, 2024

“Is this a f—ing joke? Come on,” Reddick said, as interested ears tried to decipher through his radio static. “It’s bulls—. He touched the f—ing wall. … Good grief.”

It’s easy to see why Reddick was frustrated, as Truex Jr. seemed to be able to get his car to pit road in fine fashion. While he does have a win in 2024, he’s come close numerous other times, and other factors have stopped him from getting to Victory Lane multiple times.

Could he hold off the field and still get the victory? There’s a chance, but Tyler Reddick had the checkered flag in his grasp, and the caution flag ripped it out. He’s fuming, and it’s for a good reason.

Tyler Reddick dedicates FireKeepers Casino 400 win to late mentor Scott Bloomquist

UPDATE: Well, Tyler Reddick was able to hold off the field for the win after another caution. Following his overtime win at Michigan, Reddick dedicated the victory to his late mentor, Scott Bloomquist. The dirt Late Model legend played an integral role in Reddick’s career before NASCAR. 

There was a time when Reddick and his family were preparing their cars in a shop owned by Scott Bloomquist. Now that the racing icon is gone after a plane crash on Friday, there is a huge hole in the world of motorsports. 

An emotional win for sure. Reddick took time to remember his mentor and friend: “I can’t help but sit here in Victory Lane and think of Scott Bloomquist, man,” Reddick said on TV. “Huge mentor to me and an incredible role model and legend of dirt racing and motorsport. 

“So, the last couple days have been tough and this really helps it. So this win should go for him and his family his friends and all that meant a lot to him.”

A long weekend and an emotional victory for Tyler Reddick. Two more races left in the regular season and he just took control of the championship battle. This is the second win of the season for Reddick and the 45 team. They, admittedly, have given a couple of races away. Nashville, Chicago are two that come to mind when thinking about it. 

Today, Reddick was steady and when he took control of the race, he didn’t let it go. For all of the issues he has had closing out races, this was an excellent example of a racer knowing exactly what he has to do in order to get the job done.

On3’s Jonathan Howard contributed to this article.