NASCAR CUP SERIES: CHAMPIONSHIP

November 7, 2024

Tyler Reddick

Press Conference

An Interview with:

Q. This is your first time making the Championship 4. Are you feeling any nervousness? Different emotions, considering this being the Championship 4?

TYLER REDDICK: Honestly, for me a sense of ease. In a really good place I feel like mentally going into this weekend. We know what's ahead of us, but not letting it overwhelm us or myself really for that matter.

Coming into this knowing what we have in front of us, ready to go out there and get to work.

Q. A fun question. Say you just want to watch a quick movie in the hauler. Would you watch "Talladega Nights" or "Days of Thunder"?

TYLER REDDICK: I probably would keep it more lighthearted for sure before I get in the car 'cause that's when it's going to get very, very serious. That's my speed.

Q. What would you say is the most important thing you learned about yourself during the Playoffs and the year entirely?

TYLER REDDICK: Well, I think it's something that I've always had, but a good reminder of it this year, just determination. Pushing through the tough days. That word comes to mind the most, 'determination'.

Q. (No microphone.)

TYLER REDDICK: Things have changed. Some teams have come on, some have gone away. But it's the same track we raced on in the spring. So certainly I think when you look at all of the Toyotas across the board, our performance here, whether it was Legacy, 23XI or Joe Gibbs Racing, we were all solid in points throughout this weekend.

There's something about that that lends itself to the Camry. Certainly that's just another thing we can stack in our corner when we're trying to get ready from the confidence side of things, things that we did well.

Nothing's guaranteed for sure, right? But certainly it feels good knowing that the last time we were here we were really solid.

Q. Do you think it will take a race win to win the championship this year?

TYLER REDDICK: I don't know, but I'm going to treat it that way.

Q. Is the attitude different, being a Championship 4 contender?

TYLER REDDICK: Yeah, I know it's championship weekend, but I don't know what the right word is. I'd say calm, focused. There's a lot on the line certainly. Just staying focused on what I need to do more than anything this weekend at this current moment.

Q. Has there been any conversations with MJ?

TYLER REDDICK: I know we'll catch up between now and when we strap in the car. Yeah, just been going through it with the team as we kind of have been the last 10 days or so. Just what do we need to be thinking about, going through our list of things as we get ready to prepare. Obviously we're here now. A lot of the preparation is done.

There's still a good bit of time, almost an entire day, before we finally get on track. So plenty of time to think about little things. But largely I think a lot of the preparation is done, the car is loaded, it will be here shortly. I feel good about what we've done getting ready for this weekend.

Q. Michael's drive to win at all cost, does that rub off on you? Does he have any words of wisdom?

TYLER REDDICK: It's definitely been fun and eye-opening when we've had conversations, whether they've been at meetings or in the haulers. But I'd say I'd like to think that I have a pretty good sense of what it's going to take on Sunday.

Certainly I think I'm driven for what it means for me, but also going through the shop, just the atmosphere at Airspeed, I know it means a lot to everyone that is traveling, everyone that stays back at Airspeed during the race weekends.

The motivation to be prepared is not lacking. We're all very excited for it. It feels like everyone understands what we need to do. We're focused on what lies ahead.

Q. That starts with the whole organization, not just him?

TYLER REDDICK: Well, I think we all know what Michael's accomplished. Again, for those of us that have gotten to get to know him and talk to him, that mindset is positive, it's something that we understand and kind of absorb how we like to approach and get ready for the weekend.

Yeah, I just feel like everyone has a real good attitude, their mindset. Everyone's excitement level seems like it's in a really good place. Everything seems like it's in a really good place. It's no guarantee, right? We still got to go out there and do what we need to do.

Q. I know you're not involved in the lawsuit, it doesn't really affect you. Does this feel like a championship weekend with the lawsuit, with the race manipulation, questions about policies, all that other stuff going on? Does it feel like it's taking away from the fact that a champion is going to be crowned?

TYLER REDDICK: No. I know you said 'with'. But it's just for me, I think for our group, it's championship weekend. Everything else is not even in our focus.

Q. By winning at Homestead, clinching a week early, are there specific things you were able to do in preparation for this weekend that you may not have been able to do if you clinched at Martinsville?

TYLER REDDICK: Yeah, just more time to work on our car. I think either way we're going to try to bring a really good car for this weekend.

Knowing we're in, knowing that this car right here that we're working on is going to be a Championship 4 car, just gave us extra time to really focus on that car and understand what the work going into that car, what it means, what it's going to be racing for.

It's been really cool over I'd say the last week to see everyone from JGR chipping in and helping and coming by the shop, going over the car with our folks at Airspeed. It just feels like everyone has really banded together and made sure we have everything we need on the car, that it's as fast as it can be when we get here.

Q. Did you bring the same car from Phoenix? Have you used it at other points in the season?

TYLER REDDICK: I couldn't tell you, honestly. Me and Billy haven't talked about it a whole lot. I know he was bummed when we wrecked our Vegas car because I think it was going to get rotated around and potentially be our car for this weekend. Actually, I take that back. I think our Roval car, that thing was destroyed. I think our Vegas car was another option. That thing was destroyed.

I mean, I've been through that before when I was at RCR. I feel like our Homestead car that we prepped, we built it two times and totaled it two times in the Playoffs before we ever got there.

Those are just parts of racing. I feel like my understanding, everyone is really happy with what we put together.

Q. (No microphone.)

TYLER REDDICK: I feel like we have good depth. We've got great people. 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.

Yeah, I guess, personally, I wish that 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.

Q. (No microphone.)

TYLER REDDICK: I mean, Bootie is just an awesome guy to be around. Yeah, I certainly will miss him this weekend. Getting to know Dave over the year, yeah, I like having him around, too.

There's been weekends we've gone to the racetrack and Dave isn't there. 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. We'll get to do that later on if things go right.

Q. You mentioned JGR has had a hand in making sure your car is fast. What else is different about how much they've chipped in or helped this weekend?

TYLER REDDICK: I feel like there's typically six cars that we got to get ready for the race weekend. When you got one of those six racing for a championship, as everyone does, as the other three are, they're making sure everything is where it needs to be.

It's exciting, right? We're bringing our best. We know Penske is bringing their best, Hendrick is bringing their best. We're all going to see how it shakes out in practice on Friday speed-wise, then on Saturday you're going to see who does the best job of executing. It will kind of go on from there.

Q. You were tied for the most laps led here in the spring. This historically hasn't been one of your best tracks. How do you build on the spring performance?

TYLER REDDICK: Yeah, I feel like in the past we've come to this weekend, I guess Cup, this has been the championship weekend. In the other years, the season is just getting rolling, you come in here, you go with what you know. I feel like I've ran well. When come back here for championship weekend when we haven't been a part of it, it's our opportunity to learn something, try something, take risks with strategy. It's not always guaranteed to work out.

It's been hit-and-miss from that aspect. Certainly when the car has been very capable, I've been able to find a way to get a little bit of speed out of it, get the speed that the car has out of it, have potentially good weekends.

Even my first Cup race here, we wrecked out, had a part failure. Those things happen, but it's nice to know when we really focus on this weekend, bringing what we know is going to work good, we've had speed.

Q. Is Beau more excited that daddy is racing for a championship or daddy is going to be home after next weekend all the time?

TYLER REDDICK: I would say he would say both. Certainly right now going into this weekend, I'm very excited to be here, but I don't know how to explain it. My kid is so excited. I'm looking ahead. There's a lot of racing to be had this weekend, a lot of things left to be done. But my kid has just been so excited for the past two weeks about getting to come here and getting to race for a championship here.

He was jumping up and down and screaming, excited, when I said, Hey, it's time to go to the airport. He's ready to go. Absolutely.

Q. How much comprehension does he have of all this?

TYLER REDDICK: I feel like from the beginning, he's always really thought the racing is cool. As he's gotten older, been more rounded, has had opportunities when he's not in school, when he has days off from school, take him to Airspeed to see what it's like, I feel like his understanding of it is growing as he does.

I think he understands how big this weekend is. It's just cool to see how excited he is for it.

Q. How do you learn as a parent with a lot to focus on, your child still wants your attention, you want to study or think about things, how do you balance that?

TYLER REDDICK: I mean, I've been balancing it since he was born. I feel like there's been learning curves along the way of, okay, got to focus more on racing, more on family.

I feel like when they've been here throughout the year, we've had a good balance of it. I don't expect any of that to be any different this weekend.

Q. How are you feeling versus the two championship weekends that you won in Xfinity?

TYLER REDDICK: I feel like I'm right there mindset-wise. It's hard to think back and remember all the exact little details of it. Just how I felt going into those two Championship 4s, it feels like I'm really close if not in the same place mentally going in.

Q. Have you blocked out the outside world this week? You're racing for the team. You could win a championship for a team that's suing NASCAR. The preliminary injunction decision is coming this week. There's a lot of focus on this team and you, but also a lot of focus on the sport because of who you're racing. Have you tried to block out all of that and stay focused on the job?

TYLER REDDICK: I haven't really had to try to block it out. It pretty much just came naturally with what lies ahead for us. They've got a team of people that are taking care of that. I'm taking care of what I can do as the driver.

Yeah, it hasn't been difficult at all to not think about that stuff. I didn't even really have to tell myself to ignore it because I'm just so locked in on that weekend and the trophy over there. All the banners and signage, right, we know what we're racing for. It's been very easy to stay focused.

Q. You've been locked in since Homestead. What does your prep look like?

TYLER REDDICK: I think there's a point where we can almost overdo it when it comes to an oval. I feel like we've had a good balance. I think we did a really good job of certainly the construction of the right side tire being different. We worked really, really hard as soon as we left this race in the spring of going back to the shop -- excuse me, Airspeed. I didn't know when I was going to mess that up, but I finally did (laughter).

We went back to Airspeed and did a really good job of post-race scaling this tire. It left us in a really good spot for coming back to it when it came time to get ready for this championship.

Q. What do you expect out of the track and tire this weekend?

TYLER REDDICK: Out of the track and the tire? I can't remember all the details on the weather differences. Whether you call it resin or PJ1 that's been on this track over the years, it's fading away more and more. It's getting back to the traditional line one and two, three and four has a little bit of it left. As it ages with the seams and everything, you have options over there.

Expect it to be somewhat similar. Again, it could always be a little bit different with the tire change, with the time of year. It seems like the weather is going to be fairly similar to what we race in the spring.

Q. (No microphone.)

TYLER REDDICK: I mean, ideally, right? Ideally you want to unload with short run speed. You want to have one of the fastest laps in practice, right? You want to cover all your bases. You want to be good in every aspect of what the race could look like.

I think that's not necessarily always important, but it just helps that go better. When you get done with practice, then qualifying, you kind of see where you're stacked up starting position-wise, pit box, put together an idea of what you need to do, what your strategy is going to be, stick to it and execute it right.

Cautions at any time could change it up, but it doesn't really -- I think those that prepare well are ready for the unknowns and have a plan for it. I think all of our bases will be covered going in.

Q. You have an opportunity for a first championship not only for yourself but for 23XI, Michael Jordan. Is that pressure, or is that incentive?

TYLER REDDICK: I think it could be both, honestly. Yeah, as a competitor, these are the moments you live for, being able to be in this situation, in this position to go fight for a championship. But certainly when I think of Michael, Denny, the rest of the owners, when I think of everyone back at Airspeed, those that travel on the road, dedicate their lives to this goal, certainly it's good pressure, but.

You say 'incentive', yeah, there's a lot of that as well trying to get the job done.

Q. You were talking about how you were getting assistance from JGR. Has there been any extra emphasis on how well Christopher ran here in the spring, his overall performance?

TYLER REDDICK: Yeah, he's been really good at the flat tracks this year. Certainly with all the information that we share amongst ourselves, we kind of have a good idea what that looks like.

But each driver is different. Those things do play a factor, as well. But I feel like preparation-wise, whether it's our side, the car side, everyone has done a really good job.

Week in, week out, I feel like that's been that way, as well. When you come into a race like this, with everything on the line, everyone just wants to make sure they have everything covered and we're bringing the best car possible.

Q. It's been well referenced in the past, pit stall number one here at Phoenix is quite possibly the best advantage you have at any track.

TYLER REDDICK: Till now.

Q. Is that the most important?

TYLER REDDICK: No. I mean, they moved the camera. We'll see over the course of the Truck race, the Xfinity race. It seems like it will be less of an advantage.

Some reason I thought that was going to wait till next year. I guess they changed their minds and did it now. Certainly we'll see. Stall one might still be a little bit better. I expect it to be a lot more evened out to the other three pit stalls that we're going to have to choose from.

Q. (No microphone.)

TYLER REDDICK: Yeah, for some reason I thought the change they did for this weekend was going to be next year. I don't know why, but...

Q. What has this week been like for you in terms of preparation?

TYLER REDDICK: I mean, we got a head start on it last week, so... This week itself, certainly a little bit more condensed. Getting out here last night. That was okay. I feel like just spent more time at Airspeed Monday, Tuesday, knowing that Wednesday I'm going to be heading out here.

While the amount of time we had during the week to get to the racetrack was shortened, I feel like we still got the same amount done. The head start we got on it the week before also helped out as well.

I don't know. Felt like it went really, really well. I felt normal. I felt like the simulator time we had has been some of the best we've had in a while. That doesn't guarantee anything. There can be differences from the simulation to the race weekend.

Q. Having a kid, what would a title mean for the family?

TYLER REDDICK: Yeah, it's hard for me to really say. When I was a kid growing up, my dad raced locally, short tracks. I thought it was the coolest thing in the world. I can only imagine what it's like for my kid. I can't speak for him.

I certainly know he loves coming to the racetrack, getting to spend time with the team, getting to meet some of the other drivers that are part of this. He just always really, really looks forward to going.

I know that because the weekends he doesn't go he was so upset with my wife. I swear next year if there's reasons she can't go, he's just going to find a way to come with me because he loves being here so much.

Q. Do you allow yourself to visualize what it would mean to win a Cup championship?

TYLER REDDICK: Do I visualize? I feel like at times I've let it creep in my head, but I've shut it down pretty quick because there's still a lot to be done. I don't need to get ahead of myself, right? I need to stay focused on the important things.

All that stuff, can figure it out when it's all said and done. Yeah, I mean, it's hard not to at times, though, because I feel like I've said it a few times, but I got into racing because I wanted to be a NASCAR driver. I've always dreamed of hopefully one day having an opportunity to be a Cup champion. For me, it's the stuff that I dreamed of as a kid growing up, why I'm so passionate about racing, why I did the things that I did.

It is a huge moment. So close, don't lose sight of what's important when you're so close to that potential outcome.

Q. First year for you in the Championship 4. Has that week been more hectic? Have you had trouble sleeping? Been so exhausted...

TYLER REDDICK: It's been great. I slept good. Everything. I normally need a few cups of -- need to crack open a Monster, drink a cup of coffee to get out of bed, moving in the morning.

Yeah, feeling-wise throughout the week, probably one of my best, shooting up out of the bed ready to go to do what I need to do, not getting tired. On that side of it, feeling like I'm in a really good place.

Q. You're able to enjoy it?

TYLER REDDICK: Yes.

Q. How much does the spring performance give you?

TYLER REDDICK: A good bit. I think about what we had, where we could have still been better, knowing what we've learned over the year, then coming into this. Yeah, I think with what we had, how good we did, I think it certainly does.

Even if that race in the spring didn't happen, there's been other times, other opportunities. The spring race before I feel if I would have made a decision or two different, we could have won that race. There's been other times when I've come here and had that speed. This has been one of those places where I feel like we come in really locked in, ready to go. We normally run well.

Q. Earlier you talked about not projecting what it would be like to win a championship. Looking back on your journey, what it's taken to get here, what would you tell your younger self now as you get ready for your first-ever Championship 4 appearance?

TYLER REDDICK: I think I was asked this earlier in the week. I know when you go on the road and you race, you miss out on a few things growing up. Still I wish at times when I was younger I would have been a little bit more locked in than I was. That very well may have led me down the path of how I got here, so...

It's hard to go back and change things because it did work out. I'm here racing for a championship.

Q. Is it bittersweet that you're not racing against Kyle Larson in the fact the two of you have gone through this journey together?

TYLER REDDICK: Man, I'd say a part of me, yeah, certainly. I mean, Ryan and Joey and William, they're all really, really good here.

Yeah, part of me wishes that could have worked out that way, given our history, growing up racing together. Either way I'm just really glad to be here and have this opportunity.

Q. You've had an eventful post-season. What is one word you would describe your championship...

TYLER REDDICK: Determination.

Q. Has Michael given you any advice mentally? He's been in plenty of back-against-the-wall situations. Has he given you any advice on how to handle that?

TYLER REDDICK: It's been nice to have a conversation with him since I've been here. With the week, how busy this week can be, no opportunity to yet. I know we'll catch up before I go racing.

Q. Has anything of what happened this week been a distraction?

TYLER REDDICK: No. Thankfully, no. I wouldn't say I was necessarily even really concerned that it would be. No, not one single bit. None of it has felt like a distraction.

Q. How important is the racing scene in California?

TYLER REDDICK: For me, a number of the places I grew up racing are still kicking around and surviving. It is tough to hear some of the places you know so well or grew up watching races at or places you knew about, maybe never got to race at, but have an appreciation for. It's tough.

You hate to see it. From my end, I just hope, yeah, with what we lose, hopefully we can replace it down the road in a place that makes sense and can put on some great racing.

Yeah, I mean, anytime you lose a venue like Irwindale or Fontana, it's tough. You hate it. Can't stop it from happening.

Q. Michael won six titles as a player. What would it mean to you to get him his first as an owner?

TYLER REDDICK: Hmm... It's hard to put in words. I've gotten to understand better how much the passion he has for racing, how much he has invested financially, mentally into how you perform.

For him and Denny to believe in what I can bring to a team, go out there and then be able to deliver for them on what they think is possible, would just be huge.

I want to prove them right, you know? I want to be able to come through for them in these moments.

Q. Have you been speaking to MJ a lot throughout this week?

TYLER REDDICK: Not this week, no. It's been a busy week. I think everyone, Denny, him, kind of knows there's things that we need to do on the preparation side.

Now that we're out here, it feels like, when we get done with this today, there's plenty of time today. Friday, a few things we're doing, but between today and Saturday, there's a lot of time in between to be able to just kind of hang out.

Q. (No microphone.)

TYLER REDDICK: It certainly makes you feel good. You probably heard every single Championship 4 driver across all three series talk about 'execute'. You can do everything you can to bring the best car, all these things. When it all comes time to lay down the lap or put together the practice, put together the race, you still got to go out there and do that part.

Certainly it helps the confidence side of things, but at the end of the day you still have to go out there and deliver in the crucial moment.

Q. What would winning this race mean to you? Have you visualized kind of that potential feeling?

TYLER REDDICK: No, I haven't really thought about that part 'cause there's so much yet to be done this weekend. Sorry.