Tyler Reddick reacts to 23XI exec Dave Rogers, crew chief Bootie Barker suspension from Championship race at Phoenix

23XI Racing is going to be down a couple of key members this weekend. How will that affect Tyler Reddick and his championship chances? Competition director Dave Rogers and Bubba Wallace’s crew chief Bootie Barker are suspended for the NASCAR finale.

Those suspensions are part of the punishment from NASCAR to multiple teams for their actions at Martinsville. Officials cracked down on apparent race manipulation from three drivers and their teams.

Having all of the main members of the team at the track is important. When Bubba Wallace hits the track for practice, his data is likely going to be used to help Tyler Reddick.

“I feel like we have good depth, we’ve got great people,” Reddick told Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports at championship media day. “Personally, I wish Dave and Bootie were here for sure. But I don’t know, I think Dave does a really good job with his role, Bootie is a great leader of his team, and I think they’ll be able to do what they need to do this weekend. So, yeah, I guess personally I wish they were here if things go well, to celebrate this moment, but if things go well there will be opportunities outside of Sunday to take it in with those folks.”

Tyler Reddick also wants his friends and team members to be there for another reason. If he wins. Celebrating without Bootie and Rogers will be a bit disappointing. But he knows he will have a chance to celebrate with them back in North Carolina.

“I mean, I mean, Bootie’s just an awesome guy to be around, so yeah, you know, I certainly will miss him this weekend,” Reddick explained. “And getting to know Dave over the years, yeah, I like having him around, too. But there’s been weekends we’ve gone to the track and Dave isn’t there. So, I think we’ll be fine, we’ll be okay. I guess, again, personally I just wish they were here if things go well for us to celebrate together but we’ll get to do that later on if things go right.”

23XI Racing is in its first-ever Championship 4. Is it possible that they can upset Team Penske and Hendrick Motorsports? Would a Tyler Reddick championship mark him as the next superstar in the sport? With Michael Jordan behind him, it’s hard to say no.