Tyler Reddick laments "really awful mistake" at Daytona: "Have to clean it up"

23XI Racing driver Tyler Reddick has lamented the "really awful mistake" he made during the early stages of the NASCAR Cup season finale at Daytona International Speedway.

The 29-year-old driver made contact with Todd Gilliland on lap 18, causing both cars to spin. Reddick crashed into the inside wall, leading to significant damage on his No. 45 Toyota Camry XSE. While the mistake looked to jeopardise his spot in the playoffs, Reddick retained his position after Alex Bowman crashed out of the race.

“It was a really awful mistake to make so early in the race," Reddick explained to NBC Sports after the Coke Zero Sugar 400. "Yeah, was really disappointing for the experience I have to find myself in that position.

"As a driver, you never want to make a mistake like that that early. We got some breaks for sure, and that’s what ultimately got us in. I hate that it came to that, but yeah, we at least made [the playoffs]. I think we’re just going to have to find out in the playoffs now at this point, yeah.

"The speed has been there at times. We just haven’t executed and capitalised. And basically, how tonight was just encapsulates what this year has been like for us, just time and time again not capitalising and not taking advantage of strong Toyota Camrys."

Todd Gilliland, Front Row Motorsports Ford, Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing Toyota

Photo by: Sean Gardner / Getty Images

The California-born driver admitted that he and his team need to "clean it up" for the playoffs.

"And we’re going to have to clean it up, and we’re going to have to be forced to do that in the middle of the playoffs," he added.

"Honestly, I don’t even know where we’re going after Darlington at this point. Take it one race at a time at this point. We’ve got to put a race together before we can get that up for ourselves and thinking about what lies ahead. We’ve got work to do for sure. I think we’re all capable of it. But yeah, the year has flown by, and we’re still sitting here with no win, trying to put a race together. We’ve got our work cut out for us.”

Reddick ultimately finished the Coke Zero Sugar 400 in 21st.