Tyler Reddick shocked the NASCAR world when he announced he had signed with 23XI Racing for 2024. Who will replace him at Richard Childress Racing?
Tyler Reddick’s NASCAR Cup Series career took a turn when he announced with 23XI Racing co-owner Denny Hamlin that he had signed to drive for the Toyota team in 2024.
Reddick had just had his option picked up by Richard Childress Racing for 2023 when this was announced, and it is likely that the team will elect to keep him in the #8 Chevrolet next year.
Reddick gave the Welcome, North Carolina-based team their first Cup Series victory since 2020 when he won at Road America, just before the 23XI Racing announcement.
To force him out over the fact he is leaving would be counterproductive, and it wouldn’t affect Reddick’s future either way. Richard Childress Racing would lose more than they would gain if they were to release him out of spite.
This makes 2024 the most likely year for which the #8 Chevrolet will have a new driver, and the team will have a plethora of names from which to choose.
Here are five possible replacements for Reddick in 2024.
Possible Tyler Reddick replacements: No. 1 – Austin Hill
Austin Hill has been able to make the most out of his opportunity with Richard Childress Racing in their Xfinity Series program. Driving the #21 Chevrolet, the 28-year-old has already scored two wins in his first full season in the series.
Keeping Hill in-house would be the best scenario for Richard Childress Racing, and an extra year driving the #21 Chevrolet while Reddick gets prepared for his ventures at 23XI Racing would allow the team to share notes from the Cup Series side to Hill, preparing him for a successful Cup Series debut.
Sponsorship could be a factor, as it is with most NASCAR drivers, but talent and availability-wise, Hill has already proven his worth to Richard Childress Racing. Letting another talented driver go to a competitor is the last thing the team needs after Reddick’s planned departure.
