Keselowski Addresses Reddick's Race-Winning Pass at Darlington

Reddick's faster car proved too much for Keselowski to hold off late in the race.

Mar. 23, 2026 at 1:09am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

In Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington Raceway, Tyler Reddick made a race-winning pass on Brad Keselowski with 28 laps to go. As Reddick made the pass, he appeared to make slight contact with Keselowski. Keselowski addressed the contact after the race, saying he was doing all he could to slow down Reddick, but Reddick's car was simply too fast.

Why it matters

The incident highlights the competitive nature of NASCAR racing, where drivers will push the limits to gain an advantage, even if it means making slight contact with a competitor. Keselowski's comments also provide insight into the strategic decisions drivers make during a race to try and hold off faster cars.

The details

Keselowski led a race-high 142 laps, but on this day, Reddick had the fastest car. The only question was whether Reddick could overcome electrical issues in his No. 45 Toyota to find his way to the front at the end, which he did, ending Keselowski's bid to snap a winless streak that dates back to May 2024.

  • Reddick made the race-winning pass on Keselowski with 28 laps to go in Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington Raceway.

The players

Brad Keselowski

A 42-year-old NASCAR driver who finished second in Sunday's race at Darlington Raceway.

Tyler Reddick

The driver who made the race-winning pass on Keselowski late in the race at Darlington Raceway.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I was doing all I could to make his life hell, and he was so much faster, it didn't matter. That's how it goes.”

— Brad Keselowski

What’s next

Keselowski will look to build on his strong performance at Darlington when he heads to Martinsville Speedway next Sunday.

The takeaway

This race showcased the intense competition in NASCAR, where drivers will push the limits to gain an advantage, even if it means making slight contact with a competitor. Keselowski's comments provide a glimpse into the strategic decisions drivers make during a race to try and hold off faster cars.