Long: Tyler Reddick’s ‘crazy ride’ ends in Victory Lane

ELKHART LAKE, Wis. — After a long, hard-fought race on Road America’s demanding 4.048-mile course, Austin Cindric had one more task as Sunday afternoon turned to evening.

He walked the length of pit road to reach Victory Lane — where Tyler Reddick celebrated his first career Cup win.

When Cindric arrived, he lifted Reddick and gave his friend a bearhug. 

“I think of anyone in the field, he probably deserves that win more than anybody else,” Cindric told NBC Sports. “I think he’s put himself in position. He’s a really likable guy, and I feel like you can see how hard he works. 

“I’ve seen him mature as a driver and a person and as a friend and a father. It’s cool to see somebody you’re close to go through that.”

What Cindric has seen up close, NASCAR fans have seen from afar. 

“What a crazy ride it’s been,” the 26-year-old Reddick said of his journey to Road America’s finish line.

Reddick is a two-time Xfinity Series champion who seemed destined to win his first Cup race but had to watch as Cindric, Chase Briscoe, Ross Chastain and Daniel Suarez each scored their first career Cup victory this year.

It was only four years ago that Reddick questioned his driving abilities after a miserable weekend at this track in the Xfinity Series. 

Road course racing used to be Reddick’s greatest weakness. Road courses are where he scored his first Cup pole (Circuit of the Americas last year) and now his first Cup win.

Through all that, Reddick faced one more obstacle on his way to winning: Chase Elliott.

Before he could take on Elliott, Reddick had to resolve issues he had with Road America in the Xfinity Series in 2018. He went off course in the mist during practice, struggled in qualifying and knew if he would have made another