Tyler Reddick has become the latest NASCAR driver to express his frustration over the growing issue of disrespectful driving behaviors among competitors, following Sunday’s Round of 16 race at Watkins Glen. In what has become an increasingly common complaint among drivers, Reddick voiced his concerns during a Tuesday interview on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, where he bluntly stated that the traditional “driver code” in NASCAR has all but disappeared. According to Reddick, many drivers no longer seem to hold themselves accountable for their on-track actions, often treating their cars as “battering rams” to push others out of the way.
Tyler Reddick’s Thoughts on Reckless Driving: “It’s Hard to Watch”
Reddick didn’t hold back when sharing his thoughts on the state of racing in NASCAR. “There is no more driver code. It’s gone,” he declared. He explained that the unspoken rules and mutual respect that once governed how drivers raced each other have seemingly faded away. Referring to a post-race interview by fellow driver Martin Truex Jr., Reddick noted how he completely understood Truex’s frustrations and found them very relatable.
“I got home, and I was on the couch and saw Martin Truex Jr.’s post-race comments,” Reddick shared. “And it’s so relatable. I completely get where he is at. I get it. You go back and watch people dive into the corner on restarts and use the car in front of them like a brake pedal. It just sucks. Call me a hypocrite if you want, I’ve made my mistakes too. I’ve screwed up and run people over. But I just don’t like driving into the corner and using someone else in front of you as a brake. Running someone a little wide is one thing, but running someone off the track—that’s not how I want to race.”
Reddick further elaborated that, in his experience, the chaotic, aggressive driving styles seen in recent races were becoming all too common, especially on road courses like Watkins Glen. He admitted that, in the past, he had been fortunate enough to stay ahead of the chaos and avoid getting caught up in the worst of it. However, Sunday’s race had been a different story.
“Yesterday was one of the few days where we just had an all-around bad day and ended up right in the middle of it,” Reddick said, referring to the rough time he had at Watkins Glen. “Seeing it firsthand just sucks. It is what it is, and I hope it changes. But back when we had the old car, you could bump a little bit, but if you weren’t careful, you’d knock your radiator out. With this new car, it seems like you can use your front bumper as a battering ram. You can knock people out of the way if you feel like it.”
While Reddick acknowledged that in certain situations, a little bumping and aggressive driving could be justified—especially when racing closely against an opponent—he made it clear that he didn’t like the idea of drivers simply using each other as a means to an end. “When you’re racing one-on-one and working really hard to get to someone’s bumper and give them a little shot, that’s one thing. But I don’t like seeing us go into the corner and just use each other up. It’s hard to watch,” Reddick added.
Martin Truex Jr. Laments Reckless Driving at Watkins Glen
Reddick’s comments followed similar sentiments shared by veteran driver Martin Truex Jr., who had been particularly vocal after his experience at Watkins Glen. Truex, a seasoned driver with over 20 years of NASCAR experience, has witnessed the evolution of the sport and has grown increasingly frustrated with the way drivers conduct themselves on the track, particularly in high-stakes moments like restarts. The frustration boiled over for Truex after he finished in 20th place at Watkins Glen—his seventh consecutive finish outside the top 20.
Truex, who had been involved in a late-race incident, felt that he had been used as little more than a target by other drivers, especially during the final laps. Without naming anyone directly, Truex seemed to take a subtle jab at Kyle Larson, who has been known for his aggressive racing style.
“It’s just crazy that all these races always come down to this,” Truex vented after the race. “I don’t really understand how guys can call themselves the best drivers in the world when they just drive through everyone on restarts at the end of these races. It’s very frustrating, but it is what it is these days, so I’m out of here.”
Truex’s comments reflect a larger issue that seems to be growing within NASCAR. More and more drivers are speaking out about the aggressive, often reckless driving that has become more common in recent years, particularly during restarts. As drivers scramble to gain positions in the final laps of a race, it seems that the respect and unwritten codes of conduct that once defined NASCAR racing are being increasingly ignored.
For both Truex and Reddick, the core issue comes down to a lack of respect and accountability among their peers. Instead of racing each other cleanly and fairly, drivers now seem more inclined to push their limits, using their cars as tools to bulldoze their way to the front, often at the expense of their fellow competitors.
While Reddick remains hopeful that these reckless driving behaviors will eventually be curbed, the current state of affairs suggests that the problem won’t be resolved overnight. As the pressure continues to mount in the NASCAR playoffs, it remains to be seen whether drivers will adjust their driving styles or if the aggressive tactics will persist.
