It took 188 laps to happen but the “Big One” finally erupted on the final lap as pole sitter and race leader Michael McDowell triggered the biggest wreck of the day off the bumper of Brad Keselowski, allowing the 23XI #45 of Tyler Reddick to sneak through and steal victory from the dominant Ford camp in dramatic fashion. Reddick, who lead the upper line through the majority of the final 30+ lap run, was pushed heavily by Toyota stable-mate Martin Truex Jr., both of whom avoided disaster when a wreck caused by their other Toyota teammates took out the majority of their drafting presence on the track. Without needing to pit during the final cycle of the race the three Toyota’s of Reddick, Truex, and Ty Gibbs were able to start at the sharp end of the field, next to the Ford contingent of McDowell, Keselowski, Noah Gragson, and Josh Berry.

With much of the final run side by side, with Reddick and McDowell trading for the lead at the line, the momentum was building for something big to happen as the field entered the tri-oval at Talladega for the final time. McDowell, aggressively blocking, attempted to cover a run from both Reddick and the Ford of Keselowski but was caught out as Gragson managed to push Keselowski through, causing McDowell to spin in front of the entire 31-car pack. As Reddick slipped past the spinning #34 and the now slowed #6 of Keselowski, the yellow flags came out and Reddick was declared the winner as the entire field wrecked across the line.

The superspeedway victory was the first of Reddick’s career and the sixth overall while 23XI notched their second win here in Talladega since Bubba Wallace won in a rain-shortened event in the fall of 2021. Team owner Michael Jordan, with his brand plastered on the side of the #45, was in the pit bow for the victory and celebrated with the team, hoisting Reddick’s son in victory lane to the cheers of the youngster.

Michael Jordan celebrates Reddick’s Talladega win: ‘This, to me, is like an NBA playoff game’

NASCAR Cup Series Standings

As teams recover from the carnage filled final lap, NASCAR will be heading north to Dover, Delaware for the Wurth 400 at Dover Motor Speedway. The 1-mile, concrete oval is known for it’s high banks and fast speeds and is a fan favorite on the schedule. Last year’s winner, Martin Truex Jr., dominated the event and won the day after his brother took victory in the Xfinity event. Catch all the action live on FOX at 2:00pm ET, Sunday April 28th.

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