"It's called corruption": Fans react after NASCAR 'found nothing' about Tyler Reddick potentially manipulating Bristol outcome

23XI Racing driver Tyler Reddick and NASCAR are facing backlash from motorsports fans after the 2024 Bass Pro Shops Night Race on Saturday, September 21. The race caught fans' attention after Denny Hamlin advanced in the round of 12 finishing fourth at Bristol Motor Speedway.

At the end of stage 2 at Bristol, the #11 Toyota driver Hamlin finished third above the 23XI racing driver Reddick. But the motorsports fans accuse Reddick of giving Hamlin (owner of 23XI Racing) a free pass to earn valuable playoff points. This escalated quickly, and NASCAR researched the matter, as reporter Bob Pockrass shared on his X account:

"NASCAR did look at it and found nothing that rose to the level where it felt it needed to react. IMO, vague on if Tyler Reddick give up spot or just gave Denny Hamlin extra room. 1 pt didn't impact playoffs. Can argue preferable to give up spot rather than potential of being wrecked for it."

However, fans are unhappy with this outcome, and the fan who brought this case to Pockrass' attention on X talked about the Stewart-Haas Racing team's penalty in 2022. Cole Custer and Ryan Preece were penalized for helping their teammate Chase Briscoe advance in the playoffs by slowing down in the last lap of the Charlotte Roval race.

But NASCAR turned a blind eye this time, and fans expressed anger in the comments.

"It's called corruption. Nascar approved," one wrote.

"Feel like Nascar is playing favorites with Toyota," another wrote.

"JGR cheats all the time and gets away with it," a third fan said.

A NASCAR fan highlighted one more incident of other drivers helping Denny Hamlin:

"What about Bubba (Wallace) at Watkins Glen pitting at the end of stage 2 under caution while pit road was closed to give Denny a stage point?" they wrote.

"They have no idea if 1 point will impact the chase or not," this fan said.

Reddick is in third place in the playoff standings with a buffer of 20 points above the qualifying line, and Hamlin is in sixth place with seven extra points.

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Tyler Reddick's performance at the Bristol Motor Speedway

Sep 15, 2024; Watkins Glen, New York, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Tyler Reddick (45) during the NASCAR Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

Tyler Reddick started the race at Bristol Motor Speedway on September 21 in 15th place with a best time of 15.31 seconds and a top speed of 125.33 mph. He was 0.168 seconds behind the leader, Alex Bowman. However, the #45 Toyota driver recovered significantly by the end of stage 1 and was in fourth place.

After stage 2, Reddick moved to second place, earning nine valuable playoff points. He even led three laps in stage 2. Things did not favor the 23XI Racing Team driver in the final stage. He finished the race in 20th position, earning 24 points.

After having a chaotic first round of playoffs and advancing in the round of 12, Reddick aims to get back to his best to advance to the round of 8.