NASCAR

NASCAR Cup Series Fans Watch Mourning Tyler Reddick Cruise To Delayed FireKeepers Casino 400 OT Win At Michigan International Speedway

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Jeff Hawkins
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Jeff Hawkins Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than three decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He joined the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sportscasting now.  

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Published19 Aug 2024

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mis racing summer race (1)

NASCAR Cup Series driver Tyler Reddick celebrated with a heavy heart Monday at Michigan International Speedway.  

One of Reddick’s mentors, Scott Bloomquist, died in a plane crash in Mooresburg, Tenn., last Friday. Moments after claiming the rain-delayed FireKeepers Casino 400 in overtime, Reddick’s post-victory thoughts were on his lost friend.  

This win goes to him,” Reddick told NBC Sports. “The last few days have been tough. My thoughts are with him and his family.” 

Reddick appeared to be cruising to the win after the event was delayed Sunday after 51 laps, but Martin Truex Jr. lost control of his No. 19 Toyota with six laps to go and resulted in a caution period and a restart. 

“Good grief,” Reddick said on team radio. 

On the first OT green flag, Reddick selected the top lane and second place William Byron occupied the lower lane. Byron received a better push from Rochester Hills, Mich., native Brad Keselowski, and earned the lead as Ross Chastain crashed. On the second restart, Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Ty Gibbs provided enough of a boost to outlast Byron. 

“Fantastic push by Ty Gibbs,” said Reddick who won his second race this season.  

X (Twitter) users responded to a delayed start to the finish at MIS, for a second year in a row … 

Chase Elliott generally proves to be a “popular” choice to lead a delayed event to green-flag racing – under clear skies … 

Holy tires, NASCAR-man … 

Monday’s Stage 2 win was the first for Kyle Busch this season … 

Entering Sunday as the points leader, Kyle Larson lost control and sparked a multicar accident on Lap 115 … 

Corey LaJoie went up and around  and flipped and tumbled to a halt on Lap 135 … 

LaJoie’s upside-down POV … 

Busch, who entered Monday 18th in points, led 24 rotations after utilizing a slick two-tire stop, but was passed by Reddick on Lap 176. Winless this season, Busch had won at least one race 19 seasons in a row … 

With Reddick cruising to the win, Truex’s one-car crash caused a restart. It was nothing new to Reddick. Six times a caution was called when Reddick was leading during the final stage. Four times, he failed to visit Victory Lane … 

At MIS on Monday, however, Reddick took advantage of Gibbs’ push on the second restart … 

For Reddick, he did his best to pay tribute to Bloomquist …