Reddick Continues Historic Start

Tyler Reddick heads to victory lane after winning Sunday's Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway. (Photo: Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

Goodyear 400:

Tyler Reddick, after a tumultuous two-race winless streak (sarcasm), went back to victory lane Sunday afternoon at Darlington Raceway, winning the Goodyear 400 over Brad Keselowski. It's Reddick's fourth win in the first six Cup races of the 2026 campaign - a feat achieved by just two other drivers in NASCAR Cup history, Dale Earnhardt in 1987 and Bill Elliott in 1992. One of those two Hall of Famers went on to win the title in their historic season, Earnhardt in the 1987 campaign. As it stands, Reddick remains at the top of the points standings with a 95-point lead over the new second-place driver, Ryan Blaney.

The race had plenty of hype and excitement, with a handful of drivers celebrating the projected tire fall-off and how that wear would force them to manhandle the car more and keep them on the razor's edge all day. And, to me, that lived up to be partially true. There was a tire fall-off, albeit not for the four seconds some drivers predicted. Drivers were. No doubt, more on edge throughout the day and on the razor's edge at times. However, these are the best stock car drivers in the world, and they were expected to be slipping and sliding all day. They were prepared and, for the most part, were able to keep their cars under them all day. But, as a near racing purist, this was Darlington in all its glory. She was hot, slick, and demanded respect from the drivers. It opened the pit strategy, it forced drivers to manage their cars and set-up, and although not for the lead, we did have comers and goers throughout the 267 laps at the "Lady in Black." So yes, not a lot of attrition, not a lot of wrecks, spins, or cautions, not the four seconds of fall-off and tire wear some drivers were claiming would happen, but it was still a good old-fashioned Darlington race with the win coming down to the wire. As the final run to the checkered flag unfolded, it was coming down to the RFK Fords of Brad Keselowski (who dominated the day) and Chris Buescher (who was a contender all day), and the 23XI, hard-charging Toyota of Tyler Reddick. After a little gaffe with Buescher coming to pit road, it was down to Reddick v. Keselowski. Unfortunately for Keselowski, Reddick had a bad fast car, the perfect pit strategy, and a badass behind the wheel, and he took over the lead late and drove away to take his fourth checkered flag of the young 2026 campaign.

Next up, we head to Martinsville Speedway for some NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts and NASCAR Cup Series action. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series enjoys a weekend off before returning to action Easter Weekend at Rockingham Speedway. The O'Reilly Series kicks off the weekend at the "paperclip" on Saturday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. EST on The CW with the NFPA 250. The Cup Series closes out this weekend's action on Sunday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. EST on FS1 with the Cook Out 400.

Martinsville Picks: Trucks = OFF

NOAPS = Carson Kvapil

Cup = Chase Elliott