“He’s not my owner and I’m not his driver!” Tyler Reddick shares the unique dynamic with Denny Hamlin while racing each other

23XI Racing driver Tyler Reddick has shared his thoughts on the relationship dynamic among him and Denny Hamlin.

“He’s not my owner and I’m not his driver!” Tyler Reddick shares the unique dynamic with Denny Hamlin while racing each other

Denny Hamlin and Tyler Reddick (Via IMAGO)

23XI Racing star driver Tyler Reddick was signed to race for the team in 2023, in move that saw talent transfer between Chevy and Toyota garages, with Kyle Busch joining Richard Childress Racing. Since joining the team, he has been the leading driver securing multiple wins in the last two season and winning the first major silver wear of the team in 2024 Regular season championship.

One personal that played a significant role in Tyler Reddick’s success at 23XI was his boss and Joe Gibbs racing’s veteran racer Denny Hamlin. He played a significant role in signing the driver and has been a mentor for him since day one, helping the No:45 Toyota driver to fulfil the two times Xfinity Series champions’ true potential.

YouTube video

But does this close association affect how the race each other, when they face each other for different teams every Cup week? Reddick asserted it is not the case when asked about it in the recent episode of the SpeedFreaks podcast. He asserted that when the race each other they are rivals, and the owner-driver relation isn’t relevant.

On the track, we race each other like as if he’s not my owner and I’m not his driver.

Tyler Reddick said via SpeedFreaks.

But at the same time, their rivalry is friendly and he always make sure things will never get out of hand. There is always a lot of respect when they are each other and the existence of the Toyota teammate relationship also plays a significant role in the dynamic.

We don’t let it get too out of hand. I think we race each other respectfully but hard. Off the racetrack, even before being my team owner, he’s a Toyota teammate, so that relationship is there too.

Tyler Reddick added.

Tyler Reddick reveals the advantages of having Denny Hamlin as a teammate

While having Denny Hamlin as a rival isn’t a good thing, having him as a teammate and mentor is a big win for Tyler Reddick. In the same podcast, he talked about haw the three times Daytona 500 winner has helped him to develop as a racer.

Denny Hamlin and Tyler Reddick
Denny Hamlin and Tyler Reddick (Via IMAGO)

He admitted that they always help each other as TRD teammates and with the vast experience Hamlin has, the veteran often has more to offer in such situations. The No:11 Toyota driver also gives him honest and expert feedback as an owner, teammate and driver when it’s required.

If I’m in a spot to help or he’s in a spot to help, it’s nice having someone that is a teammate, that is an owner, that has the veteran experience he does. If I have questions or thoughts in my head, it’s nice to get to someone to give me honest feedback as an owner, as a driver, and as a teammate.

Tyler Reddick said.

The comments from the 23XI Racing driver shows Denny Hamlin has had a massive impact on Tyler Reddick since they became teammates. It would be interesting to see how the dynamic is going to evolve in the coming years.