Autotrader 400: Reddick backs up Daytona with Atlanta triumph

Tyler Reddick backed up his Daytona victory with a win at the EchoPark Speedway in Atlanta, after wrecking on lap 233.

With qualifying cancelled, Reddick’s no. 45 started up front to begin the race. The no. 45 ran strong all day until an accident on lap 233 with car-owner Denny Hamlin stripped the car of a right-front fender. On the second overtime restart, Reddick lined-up behind teammate Bubba Wallace to push. When Wallace moved high, Reddick was able to scoot through on the bottom for his second consecutive win, becoming the first Cup Series driver to win the first two races since Matt Kenseth in 2009.

23XI teammate Bubba Wallace led the second-most laps in the race behind Reddick, and was in position to win the race late in the running. Wallace moved up to block a run from Carson Hocevar’s no. 77, who cut to the inside and send Bubba out of contention.

For the second year in a row, Hocevar was in contention for the win in the first Atlanta race. The no. 77 lined up on the outside on the first overtime period behind Christopher Bell. Immediately after the restart, Hocevar tried to split the middle on Bell, sending him into the wall. Hocevar finished 4th.

Daytona polesitter Chase Briscoe wound up second place after leading 27 laps, Ross Chastain came home in third and Daniel Suárez rounded out the top 5.

Two races into the 2026 season, defending champion Kyle Larson has yet to record a top 10 finish, the no. 5 currently sits 21st in points.

The 23XI duo currently sit 1-2 in the points standings, with the no. 45 top of the pile going into the Circuit of the Americas next week.

Featured Image Credits: @NASCAR on Twitter/X

Published by Natalie Carroll

Aspiring Sports Journalist from Poole, UK, with a deep passion for all things sport.

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