Tyler Reddick heavily penalized for underwing adjustment made after tech

Things are not off to a great start for Tyler Reddick this Memorial Day Weekend. He just got hit with a massive penalty. The Coca-Cola 600 will be challenging for all the NASCAR drivers, but particularly Reddick after this.

NASCAR is very strict about adjustments being made outside of the allowed times. Adjusting the car after going through tech is a huge no-no. Kyle Larson got penalized for it earlier this season and paid the price for it.

The crew of Tyler Reddick adjusted the splitter after tech. For that, Reddick loses his car chief, has to drop to the rear, and has to serve a pass-through penalty to start the race.

Essentially, Reddick will go a lap down to start the Coca-Cola 600. He also loses his pit selection and has to run a qualifying lap. That is so he will have a set of scuffs like everyone else for the race.

Reddick team was found to have made an adjustment after going through tech to the underwing. Penalty: Drop to rear and pass through for start of race. Car chief ejected. Loss of pit selection. Must take qualifying lap to scuff tires (so don't have extra stickers for race).

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) May 25, 2024

Back at Talladega, Kyle Larson had a very similar penalty. There was an adjustment made to his roof rails and NASCAR came in and handed out a punishment that was more or less identical to this one.

A quick caution will allow Tyler Reddick to get right back into the mix of things. The good news is that he has 600 miles to race. During all of those miles, there is lots of time to make moves and advance his position. Even if he goes a lap down.

Tyler Reddick will have to earn it the hard way

If Tyler Reddick wants to add a Coca-Cola 600 to his resume he will need to do it the hard way. Start in the rear, pass-through penalty, no car chief – it’s not going to be very easy. However, this race is never easy for any driver.

Last year Tyler Reddick had a really strong run in this race. He was very impressive, actually. He just didn’t have enough to get the win. There is no doubt that Reddick has talent, but he has to put it all together on race day, and so does his crew.

There are mistakes that are made by the driver and then there are the mistakes made by the pit crews. Reddick has been bitten by his crew more times than not it feels. Then again, he has had moments on the track that have led to issues for them as well.

Tyler Reddick will start behind the ball on Sunday. Will he be able to recover and contend for a win by the end of the 600-mile race?