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Random Race Recap: Tyler Reddick at Dover

Tyler Reddick faced Dover as a Cup Series rookie on Saturday. (Photo Credit: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

The first Random Race Recap for the weekend followed Tyler Reddick of Richard Childress Racing. 

Saturday brought day one of a doubleheader at Dover International Speedway. Once again, the absence of practice had drivers wondering what to expect as they faced the Monster Mile.

Prior to the green flag, he was encouraged over the radio, “Let’s get some points. Maybe squeeze out a win this weekend.”

 

Stage 1:

Reddick started his No. 8 Cat App Chevy P16 thanks to the new qualifying formula. He maintained this position throughout the opening laps prior to the first caution. The yellow waved on lap seven as Kurt Busch and Erik Jones got into each other. Crew chief, Randall Burnett, kept his driver on track to restart P11. 

Reddick broke into the top 10 as drivers fell to a single file line. 

The next caution that came was the scheduled competition caution on lap 25. Reddick informed Burnett he was a touch tight. After pitting, he cycled out P16, only to finish the stage in P17.

 

Stage 2: 

After stopping for adjustments, fresh tires, and fuel, he restarted P14. After battling with Ryan Blaney in the opening laps, he worked his way to P12. 

Reddick was informed no one could make it to the end of the stage without stopping for fuel. The green flag stops started on lap 133 with Kevin Harvick. Burnett held off on bringing Reddick in until lap 141, as he pitted from P3.

On lap 160, Reddick cycled through to P14. The stage stayed green and he finished P11, just shy of stage points.

 

Stage 3: 

After discussing potential changes and what Burnett was seeing on SMT data, Reddick informed his crew chief he still needed more traction. 

He came to his crew for fuel, tires, and a chassis adjustment, but had to come back down pit road for a missing lug nut. 

He started the final stage P17 and worked his way to P13 before the final round of green flag pit stops began. 

With 30 to go, it was game on. The intensity was picking up and drivers were starting to race each other a little harder. 

Unfortunately, the race stayed green and he was unable to make up any more track position. Reddick finished the day P13. 

 

A hard-fought battle saw Tyler Reddick bring his No. 8 machine home clean and ready for day two at the Monster Mile. (Photo Credit: Richard Childress Racing Social Media)

Closing Laps: 

As Reddick brought home his machine, Burnett said, “We definitely have a top 10 car. We have something to work with tomorrow.”

Reddick responded, “I’m just glad we’re not going to a backup car for tomorrow!”

Be sure to follow along on the Richard Childress Cup Twitter page for race updates.

 

Tomorrow’s Random Race Recap will follow Alex Bowman as he seeks to tame Miles the Monster.

As a life-long NASCAR fan and lover of words, I'm fortunate enough to put the two together here at The Podium Finish to bring our readers and motorsports fans news, features, and interviews from the world of wheels. Originally from the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia, I moved westward to graduate from Middle Tennessee State University. I now reside in central North Carolina with my husband, our three boys, and our dog, Charlotte. While my heart is at the race track, I also enjoy watching baseball, as well as college football and basketball. 

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