Tyler Reddick looks forward to 'good pressure' of racing in Chicago for Bulls legend Michael Jordan

Tyler Reddick isn’t feeling weary of representing Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing in Chicago.

Of course, Jordan is basically a deity in The Windy City, due to bringing six championships to the Chicago Bulls during his NBA career. As Jordan ventures into NASCAR, this is his first chance to continue his winning ways in Chicago.

It’s going to be a unique event, but Reddick is a unique driver. That’s why Jordan jumped at the bit to ink him to a contract when he became a free agent. Evidently, Reddick has the competitive spirit Jordan craves, and he’s showing it ahead of NASCAR’s Chicago Street Race.

Tyler Reddick on the Chicago street race from little runoff area, the restart zone just prior to the turn on to the main straightaway and racing in Chicago for a Chicago icon in Michael Jordan. pic.twitter.com/HRJzQBshQe

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) June 26, 2023

“Good pressure,” Reddick responded, asked by FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass if he’s feeling any added pressure racing in Chicago being he races for Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing. “Honestly. McDonald’s is headquartered there, here in the United States.

“It’s a big race for a lot of big brands that are a part of 23XI. So going there and running well is going to be very important for 23XI, for sure.”

A victory would do wonders for Reddick and 23XI Racing. Whoever wins the Chicago Street Race will be immortalized, as it’s going to be one of NASCAR’s most memorable events in recent years. That’d be an awesome rub.

Time will tell, but Tyler Reddick will be competing hard for a victory on Sunday. It’s going to be fun to watch 23XI Racing take on the field in Chicago.

NASCAR issues statement in response to Ryan Blaney calling out lack of SAFER barriers

In other news, NASCAR has released a statement following Ryan Blaney’s controversial wreck Sunday night at Nashville.

During Stage 2 of the Ally 400, the Penske Racing wheelman slammed into a wall that was a non-SAFER barrier, and he was livid afterward. Blaney took it so far as to say he would pay for the wall to be installed in the area he wrecked. While NASCAR has worked on safety improvements, things aren’t perfect by any means. 

When Ryan Blaney’s car hit the wall, it was destroyed. NASCAR has made the front end more susceptible to this kind of crumple. That said, removing parts of the front clip has led to the car absorbing the hits more than the driver, which is a good thing. 

That didn’t really help Blaney in this case, since he hit a non-SAFER barrier wall. After he was released from the care center, the Team Penske driver said “I’ll pay for the f***ing thing.”

Of course, NASCAR never wants that kind of publicity, or for their drivers to feel like the track they’re racing on is unsafe, so they released a statement on the matter after the race concluded.

“NASCAR safety engineers work closely with safety experts on the implementation of barriers around the track,” NASCAR’s statement read, via FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass. “As we do following every race weekend, we will evaluate all available data and make any necessary improvements.”

That sound like there’s going to be some changes at Nashville in 2024. We’re willing to bet Blaney won’t have to pay for it either, despite his best efforts.

Regardless, the NASCAR world is simply thankful Ryan Blaney is alright after his scary collision, and the rest of Sunday’s race was smooth sailing throughout.