Tyler Reddick is one of the best NASCAR drivers right now and is among the select few perennial championship contenders in the sport. With his contract allowing him to leave 23XI Racing if the team loses its charter, there is plenty of speculation about what could happen after this season.
It should be made clear that an in-season change isn't going to happen. While 23XI is running as an open team for the foreseeable future, Reddick isn't leaving anytime soon. He will finish out the season in the No. 45 car and likely wait until the winter, when a ruling on the antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR is expected.
If the courts rule against 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, leaving them as unchartered teams, Reddick will have plenty of options for 2026, as multiple top teams would pursue him. Let's examine a few potential landing spots for him if that happens.
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There aren't many open seats available for next season, with a large majority of drivers currently signed to multi-year deals or having signed extensions through 2026. However, Trackhouse Racing announced that Daniel Suárez won't be back next season, creating an open seat for the No. 99 car. Connor Zilisch, one of the top NASCAR prospects , is the likely pick for the ride. However, that's assuming Tyler Reddick does not become available. If he does, Trackhouse Racing could add a championship-caliber driver to its third car, pairing him with likely perennial multi-race winner Shane van Gisbergen and playoff threat Ross Chastain.
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Alex Bowman's backing from Ally and his placement in the NASCAR standings make his seat with Hendrick Motorsports pretty safe, as long as a better driver doesn't become available. Reddick is the superior driver, and he would give Hendrick Motorsports arguably six of the best drivers in the Cup Series. That is certainly an opportunity that would be too good to pass up, even with the relationships Bowman has with the team. If Reddick were to leave, there would at least be open spots at Trackhouse Racing (No. 99) and 23XI Racing (No. 45) for Bowman next season.
Related: NASCAR Reporter Sheds Light on Tyler Reddick's Future with 23XI Racing
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It would certainly be ironic if Reddick left Denny Hamlin's team to take the No.11 car at Joe Gibbs Racing. Hamlin has been expected to return to JGR next season, but there's been no word that a new contract is in place. That at least leaves the door open to an intriguing scenario. An arrangement could be made where Reddick takes over the No. 11 car, with Hamlin sliding into the No. 45 car as a driver for the team he co-owns. After a very quiet NASCAR silly season, it would at least add some intrigue for next season.
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Teams like Front Row Motorsports, Legacy Motor Club, Richard Childress Racing, and Spire Motorsports would certainly love to add a driver of Reddick's caliber. However, there's no sense in him going to a team that wouldn't give him a realistic shot at competing for a championship. So, the focus needs to be on the top teams. Austin Cindric's father, Tim Cindric, was fired from Team Penske over the IndyCar cheating scandal. Austin is still under contract through 2026, and Roger Penske has said he'll be back. However, that came with the assumption that Reddick wouldn't be available. If he is, Team Penske could pursue a change.
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