Tyler Reddick discusses facing boss Denny Hamlin in Indy: "We'll just see how it goes"

Tyler Reddick has shared his thoughts on competing with 23XI co-owner Denny Hamlin ahead of NASCAR's return to the Indianapolis Oval. Hamlin is a full-time Cup Series driver for Joe Gibbs Racing.

Tyler Reddick pilots the #45 Toyota Camry XSE for 23XI racing, competing full-time in the Cup Series. This season marks Reddick's fifth year in the championship, having driven for Richard Childress Racing (RCR) in his early years. He has secured 6 Cup Series wins in his career, with two coming for Hamlin's 23XI team.

The last time Tyler Reddick and Denny Hamlin met at the historic Oval in Indy was in 2020, at the Big Machine Hand Sanitizer 400. This was Reddick's first Brickyard 400, and he secured a P8 finish. Hamlin finished the race in P28 following a right front tire failure as he headed into turn one.

In a recent interview, Reddick shed light on sharing the stage with Hamlin on their return to IMS. He said (via Bob Pockrass on X):

"I honestly feel like we do race each other very fair, but hard. I've learned a lot about racing from him as well. So I feel like we've got a good level of mutual respect and trust with one another. But obviously, you know, when we come to a place like this, I know how bad he wants to win here. I know how bad I want to win here. So it'll just be something we manage throughout the whole day. And we'll just see how it goes."

"It fuses me up, is he thinking about, is he worried about having to fix this race car or worried about his race," Reddick added

Tyler Reddick and Denny Hamlin will be starting at the front row at the Brickyard 400. As Hamlin's last Brickyard 400 ended early, he will be looking for a victorious return to the Indianapolis Oval.

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"It's just about executing" - Tyler Reddick looking to close the gap to Chase Elliot

Tyler Reddick was the fastest in practice at the Indianapolis Oval, recording a speed of 182.528 mph and a 49.293-second lap time. HMS driver Chase Elliot, who is 15 points ahead of Reddick in the drivers' standings, secured a lap time of 49.984 seconds, finishing the practice session in P12.

In an interview with Bob Pockrass after the session, Reddick was asked whether he aims to capitalize on his performance in Indy to bridge the gap between him and the points leader. He responded:

"Certainly, but not necessarily going psych... just lose your mind like, I have to win and throw it all away. When you have solid cars like this, it's just about executing. We do our job tomorrow; we should have a really good shot at a very solid pit stop...I think that's what our main priority is."

Tyler Reddick starts the Brickyard 400 in pole position after an outstanding performance in the qualifying session, with Chase Elliot right on his bumper, in P3.