Tyler Reddick honours late mentor Scott Bloomquist after Michigan win

Scott Bloomquist was a mentor to Tyler Reddick and a great motoring legend.

Tyler Reddick honours late mentor Scott Bloomquist after Michigan win

Tyler Reddick and Scott Bloomquist(images via Getty Images)

Over the Michigan race weekend, the motorsport world was hit with the tragic news of the passing of Scott Bloomquist. Multiple drivers joined in to pay tribute to the dirt racing legend, but he was a special person for Tyler Reddick. Subsequently, when the 23XI driver won the race in Michigan, he stated that his win was for his long-time mentor Bloomquist.

Tyler Reddick began the race from second position and maintained his high starting position throughout the race. The race saw a staggering 26 lead changes, but the Toyota driver led the most amount of laps around the two-mile track(29 laps). His impressive performance was accredited to his will to pay homage to the late dirt racing legend Scott Bloomquist, who the motorsport world recently lost in a plane crash.

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The No.45 driver was emotional after winning the race. He explained that the former dirt racing champion was a role model and mentor for him. Moreover, the last few days had been quite tough for him knowing the immense loss that he has faced. The 23XI racer subsequently asserted that his win at Michigan is for Bloomquist and all his loved ones.

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I can't help but sit here in victory lane and think of Scott Bloomquist man. Huge mentor to me and incredible role model and legend of motor racing and dirt sport. The last couple of days have been tough... this really helps it and so this win should go for him, his family, his friends and all that [who] meant a lot to him.
Tyler Reddick said in the post-race interview
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On the other hand, after becoming a race winner in 2024, Reddick has got his playoff birth secured. However, same cannot be stated for his teammate who has had five top five finishes but has not achieved a win yet.

23XI's Bubba Wallace and Tyler ReddicK (Via IMAGO)
Bubba Wallace and Tyler ReddicK (Via IMAGO)

Witnessing the importance of the next few weeks in deciding his teammate’s fate in the playoffs, the 28-year-old hyped up Wallace, as he claimed that the latter was one of the most consistent drivers in the field. Also, he asserted that No.23 side of the garage has been one of the strongest throughout the season, so the 30-year-old could not be deterred off amidst the rising challenge.

I think it could've went either way. It wasn't going to affect #23's mindset so they're in a good spot, they've been running really solid over the past five weeks, they've been one of the strongest teams consistently speaking, both of us have been. So I think it's going to take a lot more than that to deter the mindset of 23XI.
Tyler Reddick said in an interview with Frontstrecth

Apart from this, Reddick is currently leading the regular season standings and would be hoping to get the title his way. However, he only has a 10-point lead over Chase Elliott which could change at a blink if he has a bad weekend in the following two races.

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