Tyler Reddick rules in Indianapolis

Tyler Reddick, who announced this week his commitment in 2024 with the 23XI Racing of Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan, leaves Indiana with the pole, the victory, and now favorite status for the title.

Last season, the first event of Nascar Cup Series contested on the road course of the Indianapolis complex had turned into chaos. AJ Allmendinger was able to take advantage of very specific racing conditions, notably a red flag caused by a wandering curb in the 6th turn, to create a surprise and win. No structural track problems this year, no red flags, but an exciting and lively race.

Reddick was simply the strongest © Justin Casterline/Getty Images

If Tyler Reddick retained control of the race at the start, his future boss, Denny Hamlin, a short-lived winner who was finally disqualified last weekend at Pocono, made a straight move on the 6th lap which relegated him to the back of the pack. Brad Keselowski began a sad festival by spinning out a lap later. The first segment finally went to Chase Briscoe ahead of Ryan Blaney for a Ford double.

The start of the second segment was marked by contact between Kyle Larson and Aric Almirola on the 24th lap which sent the reigning champion into the pits with distorted steering. Larson was able to return to the track, but 3 laps behind. The second segment ended with a hat-trick Toyota with Christopher Bell winning ahead of Kyle Busch and Bubba Wallace.

AJ Allmendinger once again put on a show © Logan Riely/Getty Images

The start of the third and final segment marked the halfway point and the race became tense, with a particularly hectic and contact-rich restart of which Keselowski was once again the main victim. With 31 laps to go, Tyler Reddick and Christopher Bell, the two strong men of the event, rushed into the pits for a final refueling while the day's repeat offender, Brad Keselowski, made another mistake...

While we thought we were experiencing a race without interruption, Kyle Larson, victim of a brake problem, lost control of his Chevrolet on the 61st lap and hit Ty Dillon extremely violently at the entrance to the first turn. More fear than harm but both cars remained on the ground.

Wow!

Big impact from the No. 5 car on the No. 42 car. Both drivers are able to exit their cars. pic.twitter.com/4j9pzQmxE8

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) July 31, 2022

At the restart, AJ Allmendinger, winner the day before the Xfinity Series race, set the peloton on fire to authoritatively take 3rd place behind Reddick and Ryan Blaney who had made the risky bet of not changing tires at the last stop. While Alex Bowman and Kevin Harvick were hanging on in the middle of the pack, Allmendinger gave in to the attacks of Chase Elliott but valiantly held on to 4th position. In distress with his worn tires, Blaney had to cede second place to Elliott before Christopher Bell caused a yellow flag when his right front tire exploded. The race was restarted for 3 laps, but at the first turn Joey Logano and William Byron launched into the pack, like dogs in a bowling game, leaving Larson and Kyle Busch behind. A little later Austin Dillon failed in the gravel, leading to another neutralization. Let's be honest, a new restart was not to displease us as the restarts are tasty on this track.

Up to 8 cars abreast at the restarts! ©Logan Riely/Getty Images

Every good race must come to an end, and the last two laps under overtime were the good ones. Unfortunately Blaney and Allmendinger neutralized each other while Ross Chastain emerged like a devil from his box to challenge Reddick for victory. Chastain had in fact short-circuited the first corner, which earned him a nice penalty and a final 27th place. Reddick was much the strongest this Sunday and could savor this prestigious victory in Indiana, his second in his career after Road America.

Qualified in 36th position out of 38 starters, the former driver of F1 Daniil Kvyat experienced a proper NASCAR hazing, never leaving the last places before having to retire 20 laps from the finish due to a broken rear suspension. Never in the rhythm, the Russian driver will have to raise his level of play if he hopes to relaunch his career in the Cup Series.

Daniil Kvyat in the tough in Indianapolis © Logan Riely/Getty Images

Rankings for the Verizon 200 at the Brickyard in Indianapolis:

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